Job Description

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