Program Director

Job Title: PROGRAM DIRECTOR – ENHANCED STEP-DOWN PROGRAM
Department: Clinical & Crisis Supports
Location: Bethpage, NY; some travel required
Reports To: Senior Vice President of Clinical & Crisis Services
FLSA Status: Exempt
Pay Class: Full-time
Pay Range: $110,000
Last Revised: March 2026

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Senior Vice President of Clinical and Crisis Services, the Program Director (PD) leads the Enhanced Step-Down Program (ESDP) for individuals with co-occurring mental health (MH) and intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). The PD is responsible for administrative and clinical leadership of both program components: The Specialty Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Team and the Transitional Residential Setting (TRS). The Program Director ensures integration and fidelity of both models, promotes clinical excellence, and guides the team in delivering trauma‑informed, person‑centered care in accordance with the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) standards.

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs the overall implementation, quality, and evolution of the ESDP model
• Establishes community relationships and serves as liaison to community partners such as Emergency Departments (ED), inpatient psychiatric units (both Article 28 and 31), Care Management Organizations, and Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs (CPEP).
• Maintains relationships with Nassau County Department of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency, & Developmental Disabilities and Services, Suffolk County’s Division of Community Mental Hygiene Services, OMH, and OPWDD.
• Collaborates with OMH/OPWDD on training, fidelity monitoring, and policy alignment.
• Guides strategic initiatives to improve program outcomes and support seamless transitions from inpatient settings to the community.
• Collects feedback from and collaborates with clinical team members and specialists in the community to identify, design, and implement training/support needs of the community.
• Assists in the development and implementation of ESD Best Practices and Policies and Procedures.
• Assists with growth of the programs via networking internally and externally in conjunction with other departments.
• Provides consistent supervision to both the Residential Clinical Coordinator (TRS) and the Team Leader (CTI).
• Ensures strict adherence to the CTI and TRS models’ core principles and practices through supervision, training, documentation review, and performance monitoring.
• Leads quality assurance efforts, using data-driven insights and performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Oversees documentation reviews to ensure regulatory compliance with OMH, OPWDD, and agency requirements.
• Conducts joint clinical supervision sessions with both leaders to promote communication, ensure continuity of care, and enhance resource sharing between branches.
• Facilitate collaborative leadership to align clinical and operational goals, ensuring a unified team approach.
• Enables the collaboration between FREE, OMH, OPWDD and other entities to facilitate the cooperation of supports and services, in person and virtually.
• Works with FREE’s Accounting/Finance Department and leadership team to ensure all required reporting for the county contract occurs as required.
• Works with the leadership team to ensure the continuity and consistency of enrollment of individuals for services.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:
  • Master’s Degree in social work, psychology, counseling or other human service field required
• Experience:
  • Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience required
  • Minimum of seven (7) years of experience working with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and/or
  • Mental Health Diagnoses with at least three (3) years being post‑licensure experience required
• Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications:
  • Must have one of the following licensures: LCSW, LMHC, LCAT, or Licensed Psychologist

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This role is performed in‑person, some travel within FREE Network and other relevant locations required.
• Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of OMH and OPWDD practices, policies, and regulations
  • Computer literacy required; familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite
  • Experience with testing/screening instruments that include the following areas: cognitive and behavior functioning; adaptive behavior; mental health and personality assessments; behavioral and emotional functioning; autism spectrum and developmental disorders; trauma and risk assessment; and substance use screenings
  • Some experience with behavior modification
  • Must be able to motivate, lead and coach others
  • Must be efficient, well organized, and have excellent communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility

Job Features

Program Management, Nonprofit, Full Time, Direct Care, LMHC, LCSW

Job Category

Program Management, Nonprofit, Full Time, Direct Care, LMHC, LCSW

Agency

Family Residences & Essential Enterprises, Inc.

How To Apply:

Please reach out to and/or Kristen Lott, Senior Vice President for Clinical and Crisis Services for Family Residences & Essential Enterprises, Inc., (FREE) at , for additional information on the position or ways to apply! Thank you!

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