Clinical Director of Day Treatment Services

Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Organization: The Children’s Place
Reporting Structure: Vice President of Program Administration
Supervises: 4 Mental Health Therapists, 2 Speech Language Pathologists, and 1 Occupational Therapist

About The Children’s Place

For nearly 50 years, The Children’s Place has been Kansas City’s leader in trauma treatment for young children from birth to age eight and the caring adults in their lives. Our work is rooted in evidence-based practice, compassion, and a belief that healing happens in safe, supportive relationships.

We are proud to operate in a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically for our mission and culture. Our team values flexibility, connection, and well-being—balancing meaningful work with moments of play, celebration, and community.

Our Mission

To help children and families heal from life’s deepest hurts. We work to restore childhood. We tirelessly pursue, find, and celebrate healing for young children in our community who have faced trauma, enabling children to lead happy, healthy, hopeful lives.

This Is A Place For You:

We believe in resilience and the capacity to heal; our mission is to help children and families heal from life’s deepest hurts.

We believe everyone has a unique life story, and we will listen and stand with those who have felt hurt and vulnerable.

We believe everyone experiences pain. It is the expression of this pain and discomfort that allows for learning and growth.

We believe people are our most vital asset, and healing occurs within the context of relationships. We will work to build an inclusive community where all people feel they are noticed and belong.

Position Overview

Position: Clinical Director of Day Treatment Services

Program: Day Treatment Services

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Vice President of Program Administration

Hours: This is an exempt (salaried) position with an expectation of maintaining a regular in-office presence Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm. While this schedule serves as the standard, we value and support reasonable flexibility to meet both organizational needs and individual circumstances.

Salary:  The starting salary is $71,000 annually, but is subject to increase based on experience and education.

The Clinical Director of Day Treatment Services coordinates and supervises all aspects of the mental health (MH), speech (SLP), and occupational therapy (OT) treatment within the Day Treatment program to ensure quality and effective therapeutic care is provided.  The Children’s Place Day Treatment program is a seven-classroom comprehensive program for young children who have experienced multiple adverse events, serving children aged 5 years and younger.

The Clinical Director of Day Treatment Services ensures services are high quality, ethical, equitable and trauma-responsive while supporting staff growth, well-being and professional excellence. This position works in close partnership with the Early Education Director to provide operational leadership for the multidisciplinary Day Treatment team.

This position is ideal for a licensed clinician and supervisor who is passionate about early childhood mental health, reflective practices, and fostering a supportive, collaborative team environment.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, or related field
• Current Missouri clinical licensure (LPC, LCSW, or equivalent)
• Approved clinical supervisor in the discipline
• Minimum 5 years of clinical experience
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in program leadership and supervision of clinical professionals

Preferred Qualifications

·         Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S)
·         Trained in Reflective Supervision
·         Experience working with young children and caregivers impacted by trauma

Leadership & Supervision

·         Provide weekly administrative and clinical supervision to all clinicians, including SLP and OT.
·         Support staff through reflective supervision, coaching, and professional development.
·         Oversee documentation and billing to meet payer, grant, and regulatory standards.
·         Provide therapeutic support services and therapeutic reflective supervision to classroom teachers.
·         In partnership with the Early Education Director, conduct interdisciplinary meetings, treatment review meetings, and schedule/ oversee caregiver conferences to discuss the treatment progress of children enrolled in the program.
·         Monitor workload, schedules, leave, and professional growth plans.
·         Support the implementation and organization of therapeutic groups, including but not limited to Speech/Language, OT, Music Therapy, Baby Doll Circle Time, and Group Theraplay®
·         Ensure timely completion of evaluations and assessments for treatment and discharge planning. Identify and solve barriers to the completion of measures.
·         Foster team cohesion, psychological safety, and compassion satisfaction. Monitor signs of clinician burnout and work with individual staff and senior leadership to mitigate risks and effects of burnout.
·         Support staff navigating complex client situations and critical incidents.
·         Participate in hiring, performance conversations, and leadership collaboration.
·         Assist in ensuring effective communication and planning efforts of interdisciplinary teams.

Clinical & Direct Services

·         Ensure that children are consistently provided with a safe, healing, and therapeutically rich environment.
·         Serve as an advocate and mentor for staff to ensure trauma-responsive services are integrated into all aspects of the program.
·         Provide clinical consultation and crisis support as needed.
·         Oversee treatment implementation of each child’s individualized treatment plan, interventions, progress towards goals, and discharge.
·         Assist team members in managing challenging child behaviors.
·         In partnership with the Early Education Director, oversee discharge planning and ensure timely, compassionate communication with families regarding graduation.
·         Ensure provision of trauma-responsive, ethical, and culturally responsive care.
·         Closely coordinate program activities with the Vice President of Program Administration, Transportation Manager, and Admissions Coordinator to ensure that client treatment needs are fully met.
·         Communicate with collateral agencies regarding mutual clients and program services in an effective, timely, and professional manner.
·         Interact with caregivers, as necessary, to enhance the child’s progress in the program.

Administrative & Program Oversight

·         Collaborate with the Vice President of Program Administration to oversee department training, continuing education, and program funding.
·         Review referred children for the program, oversee classroom assignments, and ensure appropriate caseloads for clinical staff.
·         Monitor clinicians’ caseloads to ensure appropriate workload and diversity of client concerns.
·         Oversee clinical staff billing procedures and productivity in coordination with the billing department; review clinicians' billing and productivity quarterly.
·         Prepare, review, and share monitoring (program improvement and assurance) data with the Vice President of Program Administration.
·         Manage program resources and budget with accuracy.

Quality Improvement & Outcomes

·         Actively participate in quality improvement and agency leadership efforts.  Promote efficient use of agency resources to ensure a high level of Day Treatment client satisfaction and quality of services.
·         Use client and staff feedback to inform program improvement.
·         Conduct quarterly clinical staff chart audits, monitoring desired program outcomes as jointly defined with the Vice President of Program Administration. Provide results to the Vice President of Program Administration.  
·         Contribute to the achievement of strategic planning goals and objectives for Day Treatment Services.
·         Document, review, and suggest revisions of Day Treatment clinical policies/procedures when needed to reflect current program practices and to ensure compliance with all accrediting standards.
·         Collaborate with the Director of Beginnings on an annual review and update program enrollment paperwork.
·         Participate in policy review, agency leadership, and accreditation activities.

Professional Development & Community Engagement

·         Actively participate in a minimum of 15 hours of training for professional development each year, in accordance with licensure requirements.
·         Identify staff training needs & priorities to ensure adequate expertise for effective service delivery and coordinate staff development plans.  Recommend training/consultation expenditures for program staff to the Vice President of Program Administration.
·         Effectively represent The Children’s Place by regular attendance at professional meetings and as needed within the community.
·         Utilize available technology to maximize the efficient use of resources, including the Electronic Records System.  Demonstrate technology competencies necessary for the job; seek additional training as needed.
·         Support the development of interns and clinical fellows.

Program Development

·         Identify and develop a plan for any needed changes in programming to ensure that Day Treatment services maintain viability and meet client needs as funding and staffing permit. 
·         Work in partnership with the Early Education Director to create effective programming.
·         Create and integrate effective program components that coordinate and monitor psychiatric and psychological services for children enrolled in the program.

Staff Supervision

·         Demonstrate quality administrative and clinical supervision (on an ongoing basis) to all Day Treatment providers.  Provide support, education, and direction toward program and personal performance goals.
·         Evaluate, promptly, staff performance based on observations, productivity, client satisfaction feedback, compliance with job description, and feedback from staff with whom they interact.  Fairly communicate the results through verbal and written communication at the end of the staff’s initial probationary period, annually, and as needed if issues arise. 
·         Interview qualified candidates for Day Treatment staff, teaching, and clinical positions with the approval of the Vice President of Program Administration.
·         Make recommendations to the Vice President of Program Administration and CEO regarding all program staffing and personnel issues.
·         Coordinate and facilitate formal department onboarding for new Day Treatment clinicians.
·         If personnel issues arise, assist in formulating plans, documentation, and additional supervision of staff when needed.
·         Support and monitor staff self-care strategies to prevent burnout.

Skills and Experience

·         Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and/or neglect.
·         Knowledge and awareness of trauma-responsive practices, resilience, and adverse childhood experiences.
·         Demonstrate a high level of knowledge about child development and clinical treatment of children under the age of five (5).
·         Knowledge of the role of a mandated reporter and the child welfare system.
·         Use appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to develop interdisciplinary team spirit and cooperation.  Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate with staff, clients, and collaterals, demonstrating sensitivity to cultural differences.
·         Ability to be solutions-focused and build consensus, as well as be able to communicate assertively and effectively to solve problems within a multicultural environment.
·         Ability to interact professionally and effectively with clients, families, staff, board, and community partners.
·         Ability to effectively manage difficult child behaviors.
·         Familiar with community resources, collaboration, and initiatives that will enhance The Children’s Place.
·         Demonstrate clinical competence in the provision of supervision and treatment services to clinical staff and client populations.
·         Demonstrate the ability to read and comprehend clinical information.
·         Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality regarding records, clients, and sensitive data.
·         Demonstrate a high level of initiative. Willingness to take on additional responsibilities to achieve goals.
·         Stay current with external trends and developments through active participation in professional/civic organizations.
·         Knowledge and ability to demonstrate organizational and time management skills.
·         Demonstrated track record of accuracy, timeliness, dependability, reliability, and attention to detail.
·         Proficiency in the English language, both verbal and written.
·         Physical ability to lift young children and engage in play activities on the floor without restriction.
·         Competence and ability to utilize technology and demonstrate competencies in the use of Microsoft Office, Windows, and Excel.

Working Conditions

·         Ability to work and travel within the community without restriction
·         Some community travel and occasional evening hours are required
·         Ability to access multiple levels of the building
·         Be responsible for the client's physical safety
·         Must understand and follow building security procedures
·         Business casual office attire
·         Exposure to childhood illnesses
·         Flu and COVID vaccination strongly recommended
·         Exposure to sensitive client subject matter
·         Exposure to vicarious trauma
·         Facility Dog onsite

Disclaimer

Other duties will be required/requested for effective job performance.  This is not an employment contract but an outline of essential functions and expectations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Children's Place is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. 

Salary Range: $75,000 - 99,999