DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL YOUTH SERVICES

Position Overview 

The Director of Residential Youth Services provides leadership and operational oversight for Youth Crisis Center’s 24-hour residential continuum serving youth ages 10 to 17. This includes both the Voluntary Residential Crisis Care Program and Anchor Point, the physically secure CINS residential program operating pursuant to Chapter 984 Florida Statutes.
 
 The Director ensures the delivery of safe, trauma informed, therapeutically sound, and legally compliant services. This role is responsible for supervision of Shift Supervisors, Residential Therapists, PRN staff, Nursing staff, and multidisciplinary team members across both programs.
 
 The Director oversees all daily operations, clinical coordination, staffing, compliance, court collaboration, data integrity, and quality assurance functions to ensure program excellence and alignment with Florida Network standards, DJJ requirements, COA accreditation standards, and all funding contracts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Knowledge: 

• Chapter 984 Florida Statutes and CINS/FINS procedures
• Florida Network Standards and DJJ regulations
• COA accreditation standards
• Residential crisis care and secure programming practices
• Incident reporting criteria and risk management protocols
• NetMIS and JJIS documentation systems

Skills: 

• Strong leadership and decision-making skills
• Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams
• Effective crisis management and conflict resolution
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to analyze data and implement quality improvement initiatives

Abilities: 

• Maintain calm leadership during high risk or crisis situations
• Balance therapeutic care with safety and accountability
• Coach and develop emerging leaders
• Coordinate complex operational systems across multiple programs

Position Duties and Responsibilities 

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Director of Residential Youth Services

Leadership and Program Oversight

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Voluntary Residential Crisis Care Program and Anchor Point secure residential program.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of both 24-hour facilities ensuring safety, security, therapeutic integrity, and compliance.
• Ensure staff to youth ratios are maintained at all times in accordance with licensing and statutory requirements.
• Maintain a trauma-informed, structured, and youth centered therapeutic environment.
• Participate in agency leadership meetings and assist the COO in residential program development and expansion.

Supervision and Staff Management

• Directly supervise Shift Supervisors of both programs.
• Provide clinical and operational oversight to Residential Therapists and interns.
• Supervise all PRN staff and Nursing staff assigned to residential services.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, discipline, and professional development planning.
• Partner with Human Resources in recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention of multidisciplinary staff.
• Develop and manage staffing schedules including on call rotation coverage.

Clinical and Court Coordination

• Ensure appropriate screening, assessment, intake, service planning, and discharge practices consistent with CINS/FINS statutes and best practices.
• Maintain working knowledge of Chapter 984 Florida Statutes and CINS/FINS policy and procedure requirements.
• Collaborate with courts, magistrates, DJJ representatives, attorneys, school districts, and community partners regarding youth placement, compliance, and progress.
• Review and approve treatment plans, risk assessments, and discharge documentation.
• Participate in treatment team meetings and court staffing as required.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with Florida Network for Youth and Family Services standards, DJJ, DCF, COA accreditation, and all contractual obligations.
• Oversee accurate and timely documentation in NetMIS, JJIS, and all required data systems.
• Review and approve incident reports, grievances, drills, and corrective action plans.
• Conduct regular audits of client files and program documentation.
• Monitor program outcomes, census trends, staffing patterns, and performance metrics.

Safety and Secure Operations

• Ensure Anchor Point operates in full compliance with physically secure residential requirements under Florida Statute 984.
• Oversee secure supervision protocols, safety drills, behavioral management systems, and crisis response procedures.
• Maintain coordination with law enforcement and emergency services as required.

Budget and Resource Management

• Monitor operating expenses in collaboration with the COO.
• Manage census based staffing and fiscal responsibility.
• Oversee inventory, facility needs, and program resource allocation.

Community and Interdepartmental Collaboration

• Serve as a liaison between residential programs and outpatient, prevention, and community partners.
• Support coordinated care across programs including Family Link and behavioral health services.
• Represent the agency in community meetings related to CINS/FINS and residential youth services.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in on call leadership rotation.
• Complete all required professional development and training.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer.

Education and Experience

• Must be licensed in the State of Florida as LMHC, LMFT, or LCSW.
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the Florida Department of Education.
• Minimum of four years of clinical service delivery experience.
• Minimum of two years of leadership experience in a residential or secure youth program preferred.

Mathematical Skills and Reasoning Ability

• Basic and/or advanced computational skills may be necessary.

Physical Demands

The work environment includes residential settings serving youth with behavioral, emotional, and crisis related needs. The noise level is typically moderate but may increase during crisis situations. The Director must be comfortable working in both voluntary and physically secure environments.

Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.