Prep Academy Direct Care Manager

SUMMARY The Day Treatment Direct Care Manager provides operational leadership and direct supervision for the staff responsible for the daily therapeutic milieu within Prep Academy. The Manager coordinates staffing, workflow, program routines, training, documentation oversight, and crisis response to ensure children and youth receive safe, consistent, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services. The position partners closely with clinical, education, nursing, transportation, and administrative leaders to support treatment goals, maintain regulatory compliance, strengthen staff performance, and promote a safe and caring environment with a focus on restraint prevention and reduction. This is a working manager role. The Manager maintains a visible presence in program areas, responds to emerging operational and safety needs, coaches staff in real time, and provides direct support when needed to preserve continuity of care and appropriate staffing coverage. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Program Operations and Therapeutic Milieu Coordinate daily direct care operations, staff assignments, schedules, breaks, coverage, transitions, and client movement in collaboration with the Day Treatment leadership team. Maintain a consistent, structured, therapeutic environment that incorporates agency-approved programming, behavior support practices, and trauma-informed care. Monitor staffing ratios and program coverage throughout the day. Escalate and resolve staffing or safety concerns promptly. Ensure day treatment groups and activities are purposeful, therapeutic, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with the approved program curriculum and individualized treatment goals. Maintain a visible leadership presence and provide hands-on operational support during high-risk periods, crises, transitions, admissions, discharges, and unusual events. Coordinate environmental readiness and ensure program spaces are clean, organized, adequately supplied, and free from avoidable safety hazards. Staff Supervision, Development, and Accountability Provide direct supervision, coaching, performance feedback, and professional development for assigned Adaptive Behavior Specialists. Lead regular individual and team supervision that addresses client care, staff wellness, performance expectations, documentation, safety, and professional conduct. Complete onboarding, orientation, competency validation, and ongoing training for assigned staff. Track completion of all required agency, licensure, certification, and program-specific training. Monitor attendance, punctuality, timesheets, expense and mileage submissions, and adherence to established schedules and agency policies. Address performance concerns promptly through coaching, corrective action, and progressive discipline in partnership with the Program Director and Human Resources. Promote staff retention and engagement by creating a culture of accountability, teamwork, recognition, psychological safety, wellness, and appropriate self-care. Safety, Crisis Prevention, and Incident Response Champion a safe and caring, restraint-reduction approach by reinforcing proactive engagement, co-regulation, de-escalation, environmental supports, and individualized crisis prevention strategies. Provide leadership during behavioral or medical emergencies and ensure agency crisis response procedures are followed. Review restraint documentation, adverse incident reports, injury reports, and related records for completeness, timeliness, accuracy, required notifications, and follow-up. Participate in post-incident review and debriefing. Identify contributing factors, needed supports, and corrective or preventive actions. Ensure staff maintain required crisis intervention certifications and demonstrate competency in approved prevention and response techniques. Leadership and Agency Responsibilities Model the agency mission, vision, core values, professional standards, and commitment to equitable and culturally responsive care. Contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment for children, families, employees, and community partners from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Participate in leadership meetings, quality improvement activities, staff training, and program planning as assigned. Provide the Program Director with regular updates regarding staffing, performance, incidents, documentation, training, and operational risks. Perform other duties as assigned to meet program and agency needs. CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCE Trauma-informed and culturally responsive leadership Operational judgment and timely decision-making Staff coaching, accountability, and conflict management Crisis prevention, de-escalation, and safety leadership Clear verbal and written communication Clinical documentation and compliance oversight Collaboration across disciplines and departments Data-informed quality improvement Organization, follow-through, and attention to detail Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree or five years experience providing relevant mental health services to children birth to 18 years of age. Preferred Master’s degree in social work or other related disciplines. Current licensure in the state of Ohio (LSW, LPC, LISW, LPCC or Ph.D) is preferred. Minimum of two years supervisory or managerial experience. Certificates and Licensures: Requires a valid Ohio Driver’s License and proof of insurance. Language Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Must also have the ability to communicate with diverse audiences both internal and external to the agency. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to Executive and employee teams as well as regulatory agencies and service providers. Ability to communicate sensitive information to client families and employees. Mathematical Skills: Requires strong mathematical skills. Technical Skills: Proficiency with MS office products to include Outlook. Basic knowledge of data collection, analysis and database programs. Reasoning Ability: Accuracy and attention to detail are critical. Analytical and problem-solving skills are necessary. Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment, to work without continuous supervision, and to work cooperatively with internal and external groups and individuals. Ability to work in a deadline driven environment with excellent time management practices. Ability to multi-task and maintain organization in a fast paced, changing environment. Ability to create and maintain highest levels of confidentiality when dealing with client information, SVFC proprietary information, and sensitive situations. Ability to complete and turn in paperwork in a timely fashion. Ability to complete, interpret and respond to clinical documentation inquiries. Ability to maintain high degree of empathy and compassion in meeting the needs of our clients and client families. Ability to work and contribute as member of team.