Assistant Vice President, Community Services

Birch Family Services is a leading provider of education, employment, and community support services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities and their families in New York City. Every year, the organization supports more than 2,000 people across multiple locations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. From preschool to graduation, employment, housing, and beyond, Birch Family Services provides fully integrated programs and services to support individuals in achieving their goals across their lifetime.

Position Objective:

The Assistant Vice President, Community Services is responsible for directing, assessing and monitoring community services programs to ensure quality and compliance with all regulatory and funding sources. The AVP, CS will provide clinical and administrative oversight, supervision and support to CS programs.  The AVP, CS will facilitate communication and coordination of services among all stakeholders (including but not limited to persons supported, their advocates, healthcare providers, other service providers and agency staff). 

The AVP, CS will have daily communication and interpersonal contact with a variety of stakeholders requiring effective interpersonal skills, including written and oral communication, listening, presentation, coaching, and mentoring.  In addition, the person in this role will manage multiple deadlines and projects as necessary and/or assigned. These responsibilities are completed under the leadership of the Sr. VP, CS.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identifies, manages, coordinates, and improves services to meet the needs of the individuals supported within their residential, educational/vocational and community environments.
• Communicates important information to stakeholders (including but not limited to: persons receiving services, parents/families; healthcare and other service providers as well as to agency, residential and educational/vocational staff etc.). Information may include but is not limited to, achievements, changes in health status; hospitalization/ER visits, behavioral challenges, incidents, and family issues.
• Regularly reviews staffing plans, work schedules and use of temporary staff.  Works with managers/coordinators on assigning sufficiently qualified/trained staff necessary to ensure the safety, required supervision level, oversight and protection of people supported.
• Collaborates with Human Resources on recruitment activities, assists with job fairs, site visits, and interviews. After the onboarding processes, works with management to train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff performance in CS program(s). This includes direct support professionals, managers, supervisors, clinical, and support staff.

• Conducts regularly scheduled team meetings, provides regular supervision, coaching and mentoring to staff on all levels, to ensure consistent and effective communication as well as encourages on-going training and professional development opportunities.
• Facilitates and participates in meetings including but not limited to: supervisory sessions, Coordinator, Manager, and IDT meetings, as well as regular meetings among school and residential personnel including families when appropriate.
• Supervises, evaluates, and provides oversight and guidance to assigned clinical/management staff.

• Works collaboratively with the clinical/medical team to ensure that all appointments, referrals, recommendations, and follow-up is implemented as prescribed.
• Oversees and supports managers in the referral, admission, transfer, and discharge processes for all assigned services to maintain full capacity, ensure appropriate placements and completion of all required notifications and documentation.
• Monitors service delivery by agency staff, clinicians, consultants, and community-based vendors, ensuring services are person-centered, provided and documented in accordance with each person’s plan of service (e.g., CFA, Life Plan, Staff Action Plans, Plans of Protective Oversight, etc.). This includes conducting regular reviews of CS programs, making announced and unannounced visits, providing feedback and/or training as appropriate.
• Ensures proper management and handling of all individual funds, including bank accounts, personal needs allowance and burial accounts in accordance with governing regulations and agency policy. This includes periodic audit and review of personal accounts to ensure appropriate expenditures, maintenance of receipts and proper documentation.
• Reviews systems for service delivery, documentation, billing, and staff training to ensure consistency, proper implementation and compliance with applicable federal, state and/or city regulations, mandates and agency protocols.
• Participates in and reviews fire drill reports and emergency preparedness plans to ensure the health and safety of persons supported and staff as well as compliance with regulations and agency policies and procedures.
• Conducts regular site visits ensuring that the facilities are clean, well maintained, and free of hazardous conditions and that maintenance issues are identified, reported, and addressed in a timely manner.  In addition, reviews each facility to ensure there is an adequate stock of food, household, medical and emergency supplies and medication needed for the appropriate care of individuals supported.
• Reviews and monitors various tracking systems related to persons supported (e.g., LOC/LCED, DDP2s, Medicaid certification, etc.) and staff (e.g., certifications, training, vehicle usage, performance evaluations, etc.) to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and agency policies.
• Reviews new regulations and standards and collaborates with administrators and managers to implement revisions and/or develop new policies, procedures, protocols, forms, and/or training needed to ensure compliance.
• Participates in Audits, proposes solutions for areas of concern, and collaborates with administrators and management to develop POCAs as needed. Works with managers/coordinators to ensure timely follow-up of recommendations and/or corrective actions and where appropriate implements changes across the CS division.
• Participates in the incident reporting process ensuring incidents are reported, documented, investigated, and reviewed in accordance with regulations and agency policy. Ensures protective and preventive measures are implemented in a timely manner.
• Participates as a contributing member in agency committees (e.g., Incident Review, Human Rights, Risk Management and Safety), survey teams, and in the agency’s quality improvement process, including participation on other appropriate internal and external committees.
• Upholds regulatory and compliance requirements and adheres to all agency policies, procedures, and protocols. 

• Completes other tasks and duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education:           

Master’s Degree in a Human Service field with extensive clinical and managerial experience working with people (children, adolescents, adults) with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) including those on the Autism Spectrum is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years providing clinical services and/or working with people with IDD in residential, day, educational and/or vocational placements, 5 years of which must be in an administrative or supervisory capacity. 
• Knowledge of ABA, BCBA certification or other evidenced based interventions preferred.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding of OPWDD, federal, state and city regulations governing services for persons with IDD.
• Valid Driver’s License is preferred. The ability to travel to various locations throughout the NYC region is required.

Skills:    

• Excellent management, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects concurrently. 
• Demonstrates professionalism, represents the agency in a positive manner and develops strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated competency in written, verbal and computational skills to present and document records in accordance with program standards and promote continuous quality improvement.
• Excellent critical thinking, data analysis and problem-solving skills to identify and implement strategies to improve services.

• Ability and willingness to obtain various certification(s) and/or to learn a variety of strategies to support persons receiving CS services (e.g. First Aid, CPR, SCIP-R, and Personal Outcome Measures (POMS), TEACCH, ABA, etc.).
• Proficient in the use of computerized systems such as Microsoft Office applications, PrecisionCare, virtual platforms (e.g. Teams or Zoom etc.), to track compliance and develop reports as requested. 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and provide coverage, as necessary.

Physical Requirements:

Generally, minimal physical exertion is required. Occasional lifting of heavy boxes and presentation materials may occur. 

EEO Statement

Birch Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics, in addition to federal law requirements. Birch Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Birch Family Services expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.