The Program Director provides visionary leadership and operational oversight for Family Place, a program of Vashon Youth & Family Services, ensuring high-quality, culturally responsive services for families with children from pre-birth to age 5. This role oversees program development, staff supervision, community partnerships, and compliance with funding and regulatory requirements. The Program Director fosters a welcoming, inclusive environment that empowers families, strengthens early childhood development, and builds community connections.
Description
Key Responsibilities
1. Program Leadership & Development
a. Design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive suite of programs that strengthen families, build networks of support, foster community connections, and reduce social isolation.
b. Oversee implementation of core program, Parents as Teachers, maintaining good standing with this international, evidence-based parent support program, and with funders.
c. Integrate strategies that help prevent child abuse and neglect through education, early intervention, and family empowerment.
d. Ensure services are evidence-based, trauma-informed, and aligned with best practices in early childhood and family support.
e. Draw upon the rich cultural diversity of the island's population in designing programs and fostering leadership. Address the needs of those more vulnerable members of the community to build capacity and opportunity.
f. Maintain a calendar of classes, workshops, and events for parents and caregivers.
2. Staff Supervision & Team Development
a. Recruit, train, and supervise program staff, interns, and volunteers.
b. Provide ongoing coaching, performance evaluations, and professional development opportunities.
c. Foster a collaborative, supportive, and mission-driven work culture.
3. Community Engagement & Partnerships
a. Build and maintain strong relationships with local agencies, healthcare providers, schools, and community organizations.
b. Collaborate across the programs of VYFS to foster integrated service and to support the overall mission of the organization.
c. Represent Family Place at community events, coalitions, and advocacy efforts.
d. Promote the program’s services to ensure accessibility for diverse families.
e. Work primarily on-site with occasional evening/weekend events.
f. Requires local travel for community meetings and outreach.
4. Operations & Compliance
a. Oversee program budgets, grant reporting, and data collection to measure outcomes and impact.
b. Ensure compliance with all funding, licensing, and regulatory requirements.
c. Maintain accurate records and prepare reports for stakeholders and funders.
5. Family Support & Advocacy
a. Ensure families receive personalized referrals and connections to community resources.
b. Advocate for policies and practices that support early childhood development, family stability, and child safety.
Qualifications
Education
· Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Public Health, or related field (Master’s preferred)
Experience
· Experience in childcare, behavioral health, and/or nonprofit environments preferred
· Minimum 3–5 years of leadership experience in early childhood, family services, or nonprofit program management
Required Skills
· Strong understanding of child development, family systems, and community-based service delivery
· Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
· Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
· Bilingual skills a plus
· Strong organizational and administrative skills
· Detail-oriented with strong documentation practices
· Proficiency with reporting tools, spreadsheets, and digital systems
VYFS Agency-Wide Expectations
Ø Works with integrity and respect toward one another, our donors, volunteers, and the diverse communities with whom we interact.
Ø Strives to reduce barriers to service for those in need.
Ø Offers a superior level of customer service.
Ø Communicates and collaborates across the organization.
Ø Takes personal responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of their own work.
Ø Understands and follows ethical, legal and contractual obligations attached to their work, including protecting client confidentiality.
About the Company
Vashon Youth and Family Services (VYFS) is the largest provider of human services on Vashon, serving 15% of the Island population with services including counseling for families, youth and adults, emergency services for the Island’s most vulnerable population, enriched before and after care for elementary school children and family support and education. Our mission is to help Islanders raise thriving, resilient children and youth by fostering a community of emotionally healthy, resourceful families and individuals.
We achieve this mission through the strengths and dedication of our people. We have a strong staff and we have a strong internship program in order to train the next generation of skilled providers. We provide evidence-based interventions to treat mental health issues. We hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of fiscal and management performance among nonprofits. We challenge each other to deliver our best in service to the needs of the Island.