Sr. Manager, Permanency Support

Position:                                        Sr. Manager, Permanency Support
Comparable DFPS Position:         Program Director
Classification:                               Full-time, Exempt
Reports to:                                     Associate Director, Permanency     
Company:                                       Texans Together             
Location:                                         Regions 6a and/or 6b (Specific work locations will be assigned and                                                            communicated as staffing plans are finalized)

Position Description:
The Sr. Manager, Permanency provides leadership and operational oversight for Family Finding, Child Without Placement (CWOP) and Placement Support, Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE) Recruitment, and Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment Services. This position ensures programs operate collaboratively to strengthen family connections, placement stability, caregiver support, adoption readiness, child well-being, and timely permanency.
The Sr. Manager oversees program performance, compliance, service quality, and coordination with DFPS, courts, sending states, caregivers, providers, and community partners. The position promotes trauma-informed, culturally responsive, youth- and family-centered practices and uses assessment, recruitment, and program data to strengthen services and improve permanency outcomes for children and youth.

Primary Responsibilities:
- Provides oversight of Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE) recruitment activities to ensure timely registration, effective recruitment, matching, and increased permanency opportunities for children awaiting adoption.
- Monitors TARE recruitment outcomes, inquiries, matching activities, exchange participation, and child-specific recruitment efforts.
- Ensures recruitment practices are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, youth-centered, and aligned with each child’s strengths, preferences, and permanency goals.
- Provides oversight of CANS assessment services to ensure timely, high-quality assessments that inform permanency planning, behavioral health interventions, and service recommendations.
- Coordinates across permanency, adoption preparation, clinical, and placement support teams to strengthen family engagement, placement stability, child well-being, and permanency outcomes.
- Partners with program leadership to identify and implement solutions that promote child safety and placement stability.
- Monitors key performance indicators related to family engagement, permanency, placement stability, service timeliness, assessment completion, recruitment, and child well-being.
- Analyzes program data and trends to identify opportunities, guide decision-making, and support continuous improvement.
- Prepares reports, presentations, and recommendations for leadership regarding program performance, needs, and outcomes.
- Provides supervision, coaching, mentoring, and performance management for assigned supervisors.
- Develops leadership capacity through reflective supervision, professional development, succession planning, and ongoing coaching.
- Establishes clear performance expectations and accountability while promoting employee engagement, retention, professional growth, and continuous learning.
- Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with sending states, DFPS, courts, CASA, attorneys, caregivers, providers, schools, behavioral health partners, and community organizations.
- Represents Texans Together in multidisciplinary meetings, permanency staffings, placement reviews, leadership workgroups, conferences, and other stakeholder forums.
- Collaborates with internal and external partners to identify resources, address barriers, and develop solutions that improve outcomes for children and families.
- Participates in budget planning, staffing, resource allocation, and program forecasting to support effective program operations.
- Provides consultation and leadership during complex cases, placement disruptions, critical incidents, emergencies, and other significant concerns, ensuring timely escalation, communication, and solutions that support child safety and placement stability .
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Minimum five (5) years' progressively responsible experience in child welfare, permanency, foster care, placement services, family engagement, behavioral health, assessments or related human services programs
- Minimum three (3) years’ supervisory or management experience overseeing staff, supervisors, or program operations.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working within Texas child welfare, Community-Based Care, DFPS, foster care, permanency, family finding, assessments, or placement support programs.
K nowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong hope-centered leadership, coaching, and team building skills that help staff identify strengths, possibilites and practical pathways toward improved outcomes
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to work with diverse individuals.
- High level of organization, planning, and attention to detail.
- Strong critical thinking, assessment, and problem‑solving skills.
- Ability to work independently while fostering collaboration across departments.
- Proficiency with Windows, web‑based systems, and search technology.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding client and agency information.
Working Conditions:
- Environment: Office-based
- Conditions: Frequent interaction with children and families, stakeholders, providers and government agencies. Work may involve emotionally challenging, crisis-orientated, or high stress situations
- Work Schedule: Monday through Friday during standard business hours.
- Travel: Frequent. Reliable travel across Harris County and the 12 - county services region. Reliable transportation required.

DePelchin is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace.

DePelchin is committed to selecting and employing the best and most qualified person available for each job opening without unlawful discrimination of any kind. Additionally, DePelchin is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), marital or parental status, veteran status, religion, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, genetic information, or political affiliation.