Program Director, The Haven

At Wayfinder Family Services, we understand the unique challenges facing some of our state’s most vulnerable children, youth and adults. Those with disabilities, those without a home of their own, those who have been abused and many, many more. We answer the call for them. We believe in the amazing potential in, and for, each and every one of them. And, together, we find a way to turn that potential into reality.  

Program and Role Summary:

Wayfinder’s The Haven opened in 2024 in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement, provides shelter and long-term foster care for unaccompanied children. The program assists children ages 0 to 17 and pregnant or parenting teenagers who enter the country alone and do not have a parent or legal guardian in the U.S. to care for them. The program includes a group home on our L.A. campus housing boys ages 12 to 17, basic foster care in family homes for children ages 0 to 17, and therapeutic foster care in the homes of trained families for children ages 0 to 17 with significant emotional, behavioral, medical or developmental needs. Wayfinder addresses these children’s complex, intertwined needs; provides stability; reduces trauma; and locates suitable sponsors.

The primary focus of the Program Director oversee the program’s daily operations, including staffing and service delivery; monitoring intakes for effective engagement and documentation; youth and foster family participation and progress; progress toward performance outcomes; and reporting requirements. The program director provides clinical, administrative, and staff development support to staff and monitors quality-of-service delivery in compliance with contractual and jurisdictional regulations of the federal contract. The director maintains a treatment environment that reflects best practice standards.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Maintains current knowledge of the U.S. Resettlement Program and Office of Refugee Resettlement Unaccompanied Children’s Program.
• Maintains current knowledge of all Refugee and Immigrant Services.
• Fosters a sense of belonging and demonstrates a commitment to a work environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and included.
• Develops and executes policies and procedures and a system of accountability that tracks the quality of service, program budget, relevant documentation, and adherence to regulatory and contractual requirements.
• Other duties as outlined in the position description.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in social work or equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science degree required.
• Must be willing to obtain and/or maintain a current Group Home Administrator’s Certification.
• Two years of experience in program management or as director of a licensed residential program.
• Knowledge of the United States Resettlement and Unaccompanied Children’s Program, and Los Angeles foster care laws and processes preferred.
• Knowledge of community resources and services systems.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.

Additional Requ