Reach & Rise 1:1 Program Director

Description

General Function:

Under the supervision of local executive leadership and in close alignment with the YMCA

Reach & Rise National Director, the Reach & Rise Program Director is responsible for the overall

execution, ongoing development, and clinical oversight of the YMCA’s National Reach & Rise®

1:1 Mentoring Program at the local association level.

Serving as the clinical lead for the program, the Program Director implements a therapeutic,

trauma-informed, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-informed mentoring model. This

position manages risk, delivers clinical case management, and establishes vital community

linkages. The Director leads local volunteer recruitment, screening, match generation,

parent/family engagement, and ongoing clinical match support while upholding uniformity in

CBT curriculum delivery, research data collection, and OJJDP federal grant compliance

PROGRAM MODEL OVERVIEW

Reach & Rise® is an evidence-based, therapeutic youth mentoring program designed for youth

(ages 6–17) facing mental health setbacks, trauma, low self-esteem, or family/peer conflict. The

1:1 model pairs a vulnerable youth with a trained adult volunteer mentor for 12 to 18 months.

The program integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles—such as cognitive

reframing, emotional regulation, mood mapping, and positive coping mechanisms—into

everyday mentor-mentee interactions to promote resilience, academic connectedness, and risk

reduction.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Clinical Oversight & Cognitive Behavioral Support

Serve as the resident mental health subject matter expert, integrating cognitive behavioral

principles and trauma-informed practices into all mentor interactions and match activities.

Conduct clinical assessments, evaluate mental health and developmental needs, and craft

individualized Mentee Growth Plans utilizing evidence-based intervention techniques.

Facilitate 18 hours of pre-match training modules for adult volunteer mentors, focusing on

youth development, cultural humility, boundary setting, and practical CBT tools (e.g.,

reframing negative thinking, mindfulness, problem-solving).

Deliver ongoing clinical match supervision, monthly check-ins, crisis intervention, and

mandated reporting compliance to ensure safety and risk mitigation.

Volunteers, Families & Case Management

Execute proactive recruitment, screening, interviewing, and background checks for adult

volunteer mentors (ages 21+).

Provide comprehensive case management and wrap-around support services to mentees

and their families, connecting them to community resources, food security programs, and

external mental health care as needed.

Guide mentors, youth, and caregivers in tracking progress against growth plan goals during

regular match check-ins.

Community Partnerships & Network Building

Build and sustain strong community relationships with schools, youth service bureaus,

juvenile justice partners, pediatric clinics, and local community-based organizations to

establish robust referral pipelines.

Serve as an ambassador for Reach & Rise, promoting the program’s therapeutic benefits

and fostering cross-departmental collaboration across local YMCA branches and community

events.

Ensure program strategies and mentor recruitment reflect the cultural, socioeconomic, and

generational diversity of the local community served.

Grant Management, Research & Administration

Oversee full compliance with OJJDP federal grant guidelines, partnership agreements,

contract deliverables, and budget tracking.

Participate as a practitioner-researcher in ongoing research studies; collect, maintain, and

submit accurate mentor/mentee assessment data and outcome metrics according to grant

deadlines.

Maintain accurate case records, contact logs, and database entries in the centralized

platform.

KNOW-HOW & QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), Counseling, Psychology, or a closely related

mental health field (LCSW, LMFT, or license-eligible preferred).

Experience: Minimum of 2–3 years of clinical, youth development, or case management

experience working with at-risk youth and diverse family systems.

Therapeutic Expertise: Strong understanding of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

techniques, trauma-informed care, and youth mental health interventions.

Leadership & Autonomy: Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities,

demonstrate strong leadership, and make sound clinical decisions with minimal direct

supervision.

Community Engagement: Demonstrated skill in volunteer recruitment, public presentation,

community outreach, and cross-cultural communication.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess the visual, auditory, and physical capabilities to perform essential job

functions, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends for

volunteer training and community events.

Travel required to local program activity sites, schools, and community meetings.

LiveScan fingerprinting and Department of Justice background clearance required prior to

employment