Program Manager

• Location: Providence, Rhode Island
• Type: Contract
• Job #107548

Health Program Manager - Long term contract on W2
Location: Hybrid Providence, RI
Position Summary
Department of Children, Youth & Families ( DCYF is building a more coordinated, accessible, and effective behavioral health System of Care for Rhode Island's children, youth, and families. The System of Care Implementation Manager will support and plan major parts of that work in partnership with the System of Care Project Director, Executive Leadership at DCYF, and external partners. The ideal candidate will be able to independently manage initiatives from policy design through implementation, support implementation of statewide initiatives, and align efforts across state agencies, community providers, and families.
This role suits an experienced public sector leader who moves easily between strategy and execution, project and program management, and stewardship of strategic partnerships and relationships. This position is supported by federal grant funding.


What You Bring to This Work
This role is for someone who believes public systems can work better for children and families, and who wants to be part of making that happen from the inside.


You'll thrive here if you:
Keep children, youth, and families at the center. You see the family behind every policy, contract, and data point, and you hold System of Care values (family-driven, youth-guided, community-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive) as working principles.
Think about systems. You understand that children's behavioral health spans many agencies, funding streams, and providers, and you look for how the pieces connect rather than working in silos.
Treat relationships as infrastructure. You know that trust with providers, partner agencies, and families is what makes change stick, and you invest in it consistently.
Are comfortable building while moving. Much of this work is new or evolving. You can bring structure to ambiguity, make progress without a perfect roadmap, and adjust as you learn.
Balance urgency with patience. You bring energy and follow-through, and you also understand how government works and can navigate process without losing momentum.
Lead with curiosity and humility. You value the expertise of people with lived experience and frontline providers as much as your own, and you're open to having your assumptions challenged.


Key Responsibilities

• Play a critical role in the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of children's behavioral health initiatives, such as Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, access and intake infrastructure, and community-based services.
• Manage assigned initiatives end to end, including work plans, timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder engagement.
• Maintain strong working relationships with contracted and community providers.
• Policy and Procedure Development
• Research, draft, and implement policies, procedures, standards, and guidance that advance System of Care values and principles.
• Analyze federal and state policy changes and advise DCYF leadership on their implications.
• Cross-Sector and Interagency Alignment

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Work, or a related field.
• [3+] years of progressively responsible experience in program management, policy, or system development in health, behavioral health, or human services.
• Demonstrated experience supporting and leading implementation of grants, contracts, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Excellent writing skills, including policy documents, procurements, and reports.
• Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives at once with minimal supervision.
• Ability to travel within Rhode Island for meetings and site visits.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with federal grants, especially SAMHSA or other HHS awards.
• Knowledge of children's behavioral health, the System of Care framework, and child welfare.
• Experience in or with state government, or with Medicaid-funded services.
• Experience leading teams or managing staff.
• Experience engaging families and youth with lived experience in policy and program design.

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