Director of Mental Health Services

Learn Academy is looking for an Director of Mental Health Services for Beach Cities Learning!

The Director of Mental Health Services will work in a school-based setting and is responsible for the overall management, supervision, and administration of all Mental Health programs and services offered by the schools. The Director ensures that the schools are meeting the needs of students with special needs and complies with all relevant laws, regulations, and policies.

Beach Cities Learning/Learn Academy, a Learn It Family of Companies division, is a certified K-12 Private Day School approved by the California Department of Education to provide Special Education Services for the following disability categories:  Autism (A), Emotional Disability, and Emotional Disability-Private (ED) (ED-P), Developmental Delay (DD), Mild Intellectual Disability (MIID), Moderate Intellectual Disability (MOID), Orthopedic Impairment (OI), Other Health Impaired (OHI), Specific Learning Disability (SLD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Visually Impaired (VI), and Speech-Language Impairment (SLI).  Beach Cities Learning/Learn Academy utilizes a highly-structured, school-wide Positive Behavioral Supports program that teaches students Academic, Social/Emotional Problem-Solving and Strategies. All BCL/LA teachers and support staff are trained in a unique methodology that assists students with maintaining Positive Choice-Making.

• Oversee Mental Health Service Program – Oversee Beach Cities Learning NPS/NPA programs (DIS counseling, ERICS counseling) and assigned staff.  Assist direct reports in the infusion of therapeutic content into the curriculum, daily goals, and planning of community activities.  Supervise therapeutic teams in the delivery of all counseling programs.  Facilitate interdisciplinary team. 
• Ensure therapy is designed, integrated, and coordinated to achieve maximum effectiveness for each student in the program and for each family of the student, when possible.  Implement proper written documentation and verbal communication as required. 
• Provide input for decision-making related to students admissions at BCL. 
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with our University Intern programs and continue to ensure Intern support for all BCL programs 
• Provide clinical supervision and support of all Mental Health provider staff to assure that the program meets the social, emotional, physical, and mental needs of the student. 
• Provide information/make referrals to community resources as needed and facilitate best care practices for the youth while maintaining positive relationships with these agencies. 
• Assist with the development of long-term education/treatment plans for each youth at Beach Cities Learning.  Consult with administrators, educational staff, students' families, and outpatient service professionals to address school-related problems and issues.  Participate in IEP meetings, as needed. 
• Help develop and/or implement safety plans for high-risk students.  
• Oversee and coordinate DIS Counseling Logs for monthly billing 
• Sourcing, connecting, and applying for new funding resources for the mental health program. i.e. RFPs, Grants, etc. 

Position Requirements

• Masters or Doctorate in Clinical or Counseling Psychology, Masters of Social Work or other related Social Science 
• Appropriate licensure or certification (MFT, LCSW) or valid internship status and/or 3 years of direct service work in a clinical setting for students.
• Experience in administration or leadership roles preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations.
• Strong leadership, management, and able to motivate others.
• Ability to work with people of diverse populations and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise a high degree of independence, initiative, tact and good judgment.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information.

Certifications/Licensures

• California licensure or certification (MFT, LCSW) or valid internship status
• Safety Care Certification a plus

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics

• Familiarity with a wide variety of effective clinical treatment options and ability to develop, implement, and monitor those options in practice with youth. 
• Knowledge and comfort in working in a therapeutic setting with 6 to 21-year-old students who may have emotional/behavioral difficulties. 
• Understanding and utilization of evidence-based counseling/therapeutic practices, policies, and procedures in the following treatment models: Strength-based, Family Systems, Brief Therapy, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Crisis Intervention. 
• Training in Mental Health Treatment options and a working knowledge of Community Resources and support networks. 
• Ability to provide a high level of customer service to principals, classroom teachers, and parents
• Strong administrative and computer skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities
• Organized and detailed oriented
• Professional appearance and attitude at all times
• Effective communication in both oral and written
• Collaborate and able to receive feedback, mentoring, and direction from peers and supervisors
• Maintain a professional and clinical perspective at all times, able to not internalize or personalize (e.g. emotionally) in regards to certain student behaviors or mannerisms that occur

Beach Cities Learning/Learn Academy offers a competitive compensation plan, comprehensive benefits and retirement plan, tuition assistance reimbursement, relocation assistance and travel reimbursement (for many on-site programs), referral bonuses.  We are most proud of Beach Cities Learning’s collaborative team approach, professional development, and structured, strong mentorship program. 

Beach Cities Learning/Learn Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Candidates must be presently eligible to work in the United States

 $80000 - $96000 / year