WISe Program Director

POSITION SUMMARY:

The WISe Program Director provides clinical and operational leadership for Akin's WISe (Wraparound with Intensive Services) program, ensuring the development, oversight, compliance, and quality assurance of all WISe services statewide. Reporting to the Vice President of Clinical Services, this role is accountable for delivering high-fidelity WISe services grounded in Wraparound and infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) principles, supervising WISe Program Managers and Supervisors, and ensuring alignment with organizational policies, performance expectations, and regulatory requirements, including Medicaid, Behavioral Health Agency licensing, and CARF accreditation standards. The Director partners closely with Finance, CQI, Human Resources, Compliance, and Clinical Leadership to ensure WISe services operate efficiently, ethically, and in alignment with Akin's mission and values.

This position will also have, as necessary, access to paper and electronic protected healthcare information (PHI) and confidential identifiable information (CII) to perform related job duties and responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Program Oversight and Quality

• Provide oversight, supervision, and quality assurance for all WISe program services, including record keeping and direct services.
• Ensure high-fidelity WISe services utilizing Wraparound and IECMH principles and best practices are incorporated into all services for children, caregivers, and their family teams.
• Serve as a consultant to Akin leadership and employees on all aspects pertinent to the clinical care of individuals.
• Respond to critical incidents and provide consultation regarding subpoenas for Akin.
• May directly assess and supervise cases.

Program Operations

• Provide overall leadership for and coordination of all services within WISe programs, ensuring efficient and effective operations, including annual development of program work plans.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, goals, workplans, and staff professional development in partnership with the appropriate Akin department or team.
• Develop and implement reporting processes to ensure timely, quality information is presented to funders as specified by contracts.
• Develop, monitor, and manage program budgets, revenues, expenditures, and financial performance.
• Collaborate with Akin Contract and Insurance Billing teams regarding billing and EHR needs.

Compliance and Quality Improvement

• Ensure WISe programs operate in alignment with Medicaid requirements, WISe fidelity standards, Behavioral Health Agency licensing requirements, CARF standards, contractual obligations, and organizational policies.
  support implementation of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives across WISe programs, utilizing operational data, performance indicators, and collaborative review processes to strengthen service quality, compliance, and program effectiveness.
• Review assessments, cross-system care plans, treatment plans, case notes, and written correspondence to ensure documentation meets contract, state, and federal standards.
• Monitor program performance indicators related to access, productivity, utilization, compliance, documentation, staffing, and service delivery, including WISe fidelity and outcome measures.
• Ensure all records and data are properly maintained and meet grant, contract, and licensing requirements.
• Lead operational readiness efforts related to audits, accreditation reviews, and payer monitoring activities, and support implementation of corrective action plans when needed.

People Leadership and Workforce Development

• Supervise WISe Program Managers and Supervisors, driving programmatic improvement and standardization across the state for efficiency and quality of services.
• Develop leadership capacity through coaching, succession planning, recruitment, and retention of high-performing staff.
• Work with program leaders to ensure program employees receive appropriate supervision.
• Consult, train, and mentor clinical and program employees across disciplines, modalities, and settings; review cases to evaluate performance and make clinical recommendations.
• Promote interest in and appreciation of multi-cultural, gender, and socioeconomic diversity among staff and interns.

External Collaboration and Organizational Representation

• Consult with clinical and program leadership, Program Directors, and Program Managers regarding the development of contracts and partnerships with community organizations to enhance the delivery and coordination of quality services to children and families.
• Attend and keep abreast of vendor meetings and requirements.
• Participate in management team meetings and attend Board of Directors meetings when requested by the President/CEO.

General Responsibilities

• Comply with all Akin policies and procedures.
• Perform other clinical and supervisory duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Understanding of the children’s mental health system in WA, with a successful track record of designing and scaling a financially viable evidence-based pediatric therapy program
• Firm commitment to culturally and linguistically appropriate services
• Comprehensive knowledge of and commitment to evidence-based and evidence- informed prevention, intervention, and treatment approaches
• Experience providing reflective supervision and mentoring with individuals who have a wide range of experiences and training
• Understanding of and experience with mental health licensure requirements, Behavioral Health Agency licensing requirements, and Medicaid funded services
• Passion for innovation, experimentation, continuous learning, team building, and helping others become the best clinicians possible
• Ability to flex schedule to participate in occasional evening and weekend activities
• Expertise in process improvement and change management
• Training and experience in crisis work
• Training and experience with Trauma informed Care
• The ability to adapt to change and use flexible thinking
• Computer literacy; knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Teams; knowledge of Zoom and other virtual meeting platforms
• Demonstrated ability to lead or support teams with diverse identities and backgrounds, including implementing inclusive practices across recruitment, supervision, and service delivery
• Working knowledge of the principles of accessibility, inclusion, and belonging, and a track record of incorporating these values into decision-making and team development

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Professional office setting with potential for remote work based on business needs
• Regular use of computers and telecommunication devices
• Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, printers, phones)
• typical office lighting and temperatures
• Moderate interruptions
• Moderate travel is needed to perform the essential functions of the job

HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS:

Hybrid work is a benefit of Akin’s flexible workplace but cannot be offered for all positions. Some positions require daily presence in the office. Hybrid work arrangements may be adjusted or rescinded based upon business needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard; occasionally to reach, stoop and kneel
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Regular, predictable attendance is required
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 7+ years of experience leading a growing, cohesive, multi-disciplinary, trauma- informed clinical team committed to effectively meeting the needs of young children and their families
• Experience providing, supervising, or overseeing peer support services delivered by state certified peer specialists, with a strong understanding of best practices for integrating peer roles within WISe teams
• Experience as a leader / manager in a WISe/Wraparound program with specialized training in wraparound principles and best practices
• Must pass Akin background check and drug screening requirement
• A valid driver’s license and a favorable driving record, with no more than three violations within the past three years
• Experience developing and growing multi-site and home-based programs
• Proof of physical exam within past 12 months (updated every three years)
• One-step Mantoux TB skin test prior to start of employment, unless has written proof of a negative test within past 12 months. For those who have previously tested positive, documented proof of treatment from a doctor or a negative chest x-ray must be provided
• Proof of MMR vaccine or positive MMR titer
• Completion of Akin and DCYF criminal history background check, including registry with MERIT to include fingerprinting.

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed therapist with a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or social work
• Meets qualifications as a Washington State Approved Supervisor
• Experience and training in infant mental health, psychotherapy, and attachment theory.
• Infant mental health endorsement preferred
• Experience and training in MH services to Children, Youth, Adolescents, and family- system-comfort knowledge of working with suicidal and complicated family situations
• Experience in Mental Health and Early Learning Childhood programs
• Training in trauma-informed and anti-racism practices
• Experience in early childhood workforce development strategies such as mental health consultation, didactic training for multi-disciplinary early childhood professionals, reflective supervision/consultation, and other coaching/technical assistance models

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: 

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive pay, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position. 

The target starting pay for this position is $102,523 - $128,148 per year, typically within the first half of the range. Actual offers will be based on individual qualifications relevant to the role and will not take an applicant’s pay history into account. 

The range above allows our employees room for growth during their tenure in the position.