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The Director of Behavioral Programs serves as the strategic and operational leader responsible for designing, implementing, and sustaining a comprehensive behavioral support system across the entire campus. This role extends beyond traditional BCBA functions by building an integrated behavioral framework that supports individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), Mental Illness (MI), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
This role ensures that behavioral supports are proactive, data-driven, and person-centered, consistently implemented across residential, clinical, and program environments and embedded into staff training, daily care practices, and organizational culture.
This position creates a layered behavioral support model, incorporating staff development, enhanced staffing strategies, behavioral programming, and structured activities tailored to diverse resident needs.
Role and Responsibilities
Program Development & Behavioral Systems Design
• Develop and oversee a campus-wide behavioral support model
• Establish standardized frameworks for Behavioral assessment (FBA), Intervention planning (BIP/BTP) and Data collection and outcome tracking
• Design tiered behavioral support systems, including:
o Universal supports (all residents)
o Targeted interventions (moderate behavioral needs)
o Intensive supports (enhanced staffing / high-risk behaviors)
• Create systems that ensure continuity of behavioral care across all departments and shifts
• Lead the development of trauma-informed and least-restrictive programming models
Staff Training, Coaching & Workforce Development
• Build and lead a formal behavioral training program for all staff levels
• Develop curriculum and competency standards in:
o Understanding behavior and function
o Crisis prevention and de-escalation
o Implementation of BIPs/BTPs
o Appropriate use of restrictive and non-restrictive interventions
o Documentation and data accuracy
• Ensure ongoing training, recertification, and skill validation
• Provide in-the-moment coaching and modeling within residential settings
• Establish Behavioral Champions / Lead Staff roles within units
• Evaluate staff performance related to behavior support and implement improvement plans
Behavioral Support Services & Enhanced Staffing Programs
• Design and oversee Behavior Technician (BT/RBT) support models
• Develop criteria and protocols for residents approved for Enhanced staffing and Intensive behavioral monitoring
• Ensure behavioral staff are properly trained and effectively utilized, aligned with treatment goals
• Create staffing models that balance safety, independence, and therapeutic value
Residential & Clinical Integration
• Partner with Residential, Nursing, Clinical, and Therapeutic departments to align behavioral programming with medical and clinical needs, and ensure consistency in interventions across environments
• Participate in and lead interdisciplinary treatment planning
• Ensure behavioral supports are integrated into daily routines, activities programming and environmental design
Behavioral Programming & Therapeutic Activities
• Develop and implement structured, behaviorally appropriate activity programs, including:
o Sensory-based programming
o Skill-building activities
o Social and adaptive functioning groups
• Ensure activities are:
o Matched to behavioral profiles
o Reinforcing and engaging
o Designed to reduce maladaptive behaviors
• Collaborate with recreation and therapy teams to align programming
Data, Outcomes & Continuous Improvement
• Establish a robust data infrastructure to track behavioral incidents, intervention effectiveness, staff compliance and resident outcomes
• Use analytics to:
o Identify trends and systemic issues
o Drive program improvements
o Demonstrate measurable outcomes
• Present behavioral performance metrics to leadership
Compliance & Risk Management
• Ensure all behavioral programming complies with:
o Michigan Mental Health Code
o MDHHS and CMH requirements
o Organizational policies
• Oversee:
o Behavior Treatment Plan Review Committee (BTPRC) processes
o Documentation accuracy and audit readiness
• Lead incident reviews and root cause analyses
• Develop corrective action plans and monitor effectiveness
Leadership & Program Oversight
• Supervise behavioral staff (e.g., BCBAs, Behavior Specialists, BTs/RBTs, Clinical Psychologists)
o Conduct program audits to ensure fidelity of implementation and consistency across shifts and units
• Build a culture of:
o Accountability
o Clinical excellence
o Continuous learning
• Serve as the organization's primary authority on behavioral systems and strategy
Qualifications
• Master's Degree (or higher) in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Special Education, or related field
• Licensure: Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and/or Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) - required
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in:
o Behavioral programming in residential or inpatient settings - strongly preferred
o ASD, I/DD, and/or mental health populations - required
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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