H.E.R.O. for Children, Inc. The mission of H.E.R.O. for Children Inc., a non-profit organization located in Norcross, Georgia, is to improve the quality of life for children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS through enriching programs, unforgettable experiences, and connections with the community. H.E.R.O. for Children, Inc. is the only organization solely dedicated to improving the quality of life for these children in Georgia, and works collaboratively with other community-based organizations in the Atlanta area and around Georgia.
Director of Programs- Overview The Director of Programs will ensure that H.E.R.O. for Children, Inc. provides effective ‘quality of life’ programs that positively impact the lives of children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. This individual will also provide thorough and consistent supervision to the social services staff. Furthermore, the Director of Programs will work collaboratively with the Executive Director and the Director of Development and Communication to lead the organization’s ongoing efforts to effectively communicate the life-changing impact of its programs. This position reports to the Executive Director.
Specific Responsibilities: Program Management -Administer and approve all aspects of the Super HEROes program (including recruitment, screening, admission, matching, orientation, training, match activities, support, mentor appreciation, case closure, evaluation and documentation). -Conduct exit interviews of all mentors and children (as well as their parents/guardians) that leave the program of their own volition. -Oversee and approve all aspects of the Rising HEROes program (including recruitment, screening, admission, orientation, session logistics, curriculum revisions, evaluation, volunteer appreciation, graduation proceedings, and documentation). -Manage and endorse all aspects of the Holiday of HEROes program (including recruitment, communication with clients and/or their parents/guardians, coordinating logistics with program partners, securing gifts, delivering presents, and documentation). -Direct the admission procedures and assignment of all program volunteers. Coordinate volunteer orientation/training. Execute volunteer discharge, if/when necessary. -Implement and enforce all policies and procedures regarding program participation. Work with staff and partner agency personnel to mitigate issues that could lead to a child’s discharge from the program. Provide crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and mediation, as needed and when appropriate. Address problematic cases and implement intervention/disciplinary policies and procedures in a timely fashion (this may include imposing restrictions on a child’s ability to participate in upcoming activities, scheduling meetings with parents/guardians, and/or initiating case closing procedures). -Work in partnership with the student leaders of our college philanthropic organizations and the committee members of “HERO for a Day” to coordinate child attendance at related events and activities. Ensure that background checks are performed on drivers for all such activities and events. Share and collect updated contact information for children and their families with/from identified point persons. -Establish and maintain formal linkages with organizations that (can) refer potential clients to H.E.R.O. Work collaboratively with program personnel to ensure that linkages (continue to) meet the needs of both parties. Communicate with representatives of these organizations on a regular basis to assess and amend the terms of linkage agreements, as needed. Serve as liaison between H.E.R.O. and partner agencies. -Develop and maintain a service provider referral network for clientele (i.e. children and parents/guardians). This will entail identifying and establishing working relationships with agencies that provide services such as medical, mental health, and legal assistance, substance abuse treatment, support groups, counseling, home care, entitlements, case and financial management. Act as liaison and advocate for clientele with service providers and entitlement agencies. Communicate regularly with service providers to monitor the quality, effectiveness, and clients’ usage of their services. -Review, approve and process all payment documentation for program-related expenditures. -Assist in design of all new programs that are aligned with H.E.R.O’s mission and meet the needs of our clientele; implement and manage new programs, as assigned.
Staff Supervision -Provide ongoing supervision to all department personnel. Make sure that social services staff members meet with program participants, as per prescribed guidelines. Review case and program documentation generated by staff members on a regular basis to ensure accurate, appropriate, and up-to-date records. -Recruit and hire all new social services employees (Note: all new full-time hires must be approved by the Executive Director). Train all department staff members and orient them to agency policies and procedures. -Conduct (at least) monthly individual supervision meetings with social services staff members. Ensure that such meetings are documented appropriately. -Lead (at least) monthly team meetings with social services personnel. Ensure that such meetings are documented appropriately. -Assess the training needs of all social services staff members on a continuing basis. Facilitate in-service trainings for subordinates, as needed. Identify appropriate opportunities (and approve requests) for staff to attend outside lectures, workshops, conferences and trainings on topics related to providing quality of life services to children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Register staff and coordinate payment of associated fees. Develop and maintain a system for documenting staff continuing education initiatives. -Assess the performance of all staff members via annual evaluations. -Recruit, supervise and evaluate interns, as per school/program guidelines. -Review and approve all staff time sheets, leave requests, time allocation summaries, and reimbursement requests. -Ensure that all social services staff members and interns abide by and uphold all federal, state, city, and county regulations regarding the confidentiality of client information. -Execute disciplinary action procedures and make recommendations for termination in a timely fashion, if/when necessary.
Service/Impact Documentation -Direct the creation and/or maintenance of individual files for each child in H.E.R.O.’s programs. These files will include application materials, updated contact information, demographic, academic and anecdotal data, case notes verifying ongoing communication and support, referrals provided, individual surveys conducted, program participation, and case closure materials. Assure that all records are accurate, up-to-date, and maintained in a neat and orderly fashion. -Regulate the establishment and preservation of event/activity binders. These files will summarize events/activities held, as well as document child, mentor, and volunteer participation. Ensure that all records are accurate, up-to-date, and maintained in a neat and orderly fashion. -Submit monthly reports (detailing service provision, program impact, and department status) to the Executive Director. Prepare additional program reports, as directed. -Oversee the evaluation of all H.E.R.O. programs. Assess appraisal instruments and improve related procedures, as needed. Analyze evaluation materials and present written reports documenting impact findings to the Executive Director, as instructed.
Other -Confer with the Executive Director on a regular basis regarding H.E.R.O. programs, clientele and social services personnel. -Work collaboratively with the Director of Development and Communication to submit grant proposals for funding. -Serve as liaison between the children, their parents/guardians, mentors, volunteers, linkage agencies, referral networks and the Executive Director. -Report to the Executive Director immediately any accidents, injuries, major maintenance issues, and/or observed or reported illicit or unauthorized activity. -Report to the Executive Director immediately any significant issues regarding H.E.R.O. programs, the social services staff, mentors, volunteers, or clientele (including concerns regarding child abuse, neglect, and/or maltreatment). -Participate in management, Board, and community meetings, as directed. -Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: -Licensed Master of Social Work or Master of Public Health with at least three years of supervisory and program assessment/development experience. -Experience with and passion for programs servicing children affected by HIV/AIDS. -Excellent oral and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, and follow-up skills. -Impeccable organizational, time-management, decision making and problem solving skills. -Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment. -Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. -Must be an energetic and self-motivated individual with a results-oriented mentality who thrives in the high energy and fast-paced environment of a growing non-profit. -Access to a reliable vehicle; valid driver’s license and sufficient automobile insurance required.
Compensation: -Competitive salary and a benefits package that includes a generous incentive plan, paid vacation, sick/personal days, medical insurance, vision and dental insurance.
Application Instructions and Additional Information: -A cover letter of application and resume’ (as Microsoft Word attachments) must be submitted electronically to the Executive Director (donna@heroforchildren.org). Finalists must submit to a thorough background check. Some weekend work required.
