The Organization:
Community Bridges is an award-winning non-profit agency serving the communities of central New Hampshire. Disability is a natural part of the human experience and may occur as a result of developmental impairments, injury, or aging.  Community Bridges advances the integration, growth, and interdependence of people with disabilities in their home communities in ways that promote their ability to have positive control over the lives they have chosen for themselves. Community Bridges is a leader in the development of, and advocacy for, innovative approaches in supporting families.

Community Bridges is part of a network of nonprofit area agencies serving individuals (and their families) with developmental disabilities in contract with the Bureau of Developmental Services (BDS) as part of the first-in-the-nation community-based service system in the state.

Community Bridges is the lead agency and steward of all services to people who experience developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders in central New Hampshire as an area agency designated by the state of New Hampshire.

In partnership with the State, and as the lead agency within the region, it is the responsibility of Community Bridges to ensure that all case management, quality assurance and direct services and supports to individuals and families are provided in accordance with contractual agreements between BDS and the Area Agencies.

For further information on services, supports or BDS specifically visit the Division of Community Based Care Services (DCBCS) at: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/bds/index.htm

Community Bridges is dedicated to a person-centered approach and serves participating individuals and their families through eight major program efforts. The Agency acts as a bridge between people with disabilities, their families, and a variety of community resources. Community Bridges is an expert in community supports.

Programs include:

• Self-Directed Services
• Career Development
• Day and Residential Services
• Early Childhood Services
• Individual and Family Support Services
• Shared Living Program
• Partners in Health
• START Resource Center

For further information on Community Bridges programs visit: https://www.communitybridgesnh.org/programs/

START Resource Center:
The START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resource, and Treatment) model is a national initiative that works to strengthen efficiencies and service outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and behavioral health needs in the community. The program serves a target population of individuals with co-occurring intellectual disability and behavioral health needs.

It is a person-centered, solutions-focused approach that employs positive psychology and other evidence-based practices. START is a short-term service and does not replace the need to continue with community supports and services already in place for the individual.

Over the past five years, Community Bridges has partnered with BDS and the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability to establish START services. The Center for START Services was established in 2009 at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability/UCED.

New Hampshire is one of seven states that provide START services and Community Bridges operates the first START Center for respite services in New Hampshire. Beginning in 2015 it serves as the lead agency for funding, coordination and oversight of START services throughout the state.

For further information on START at Community Bridges and more generally visit:

https://www.communitybridgesnh.org/start-resource-center/
https://www.iod.unh.edu/projects/start/description_history.aspx

Community Bridges has annual revenue of approx. $32 million and receives payment for its services as a state and federally funded organization. The Agency employs 288 full-time and 189 part-time employees serving the needs of 1,700 individuals throughout central New Hampshire each year.

The Current Environment:
This is a time-significant change in Medicaid in the State. New Hampshire is approximately 18 months away from initiating the final steps of transition to a Medicaid managed care system. The initiative is called Medicaid Care Management (MCM). Current information on the state plan is available at the following site:

https://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/ombp/caremgt/index.htm

Two Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) have been chosen to administer the New Hampshire Medicaid program: Well Sense Health Plan and NH Healthy Families. A health plan is offered by one of the MCOs that contracts with Medicaid to provide covered services to Medicaid recipients who enroll in the plan.

The system is evolving and long term care, which Community Bridges provides, will be one of the last services to be included in the MCM.

Although there will be a need to work closely with MCOs, there is also a desire to preserve the regional, locally based system. It is cost effective, outcomes focused, and quality driven. The developmental disabilities community wants to be the designers of any new system and to preserve the vision and values that they have championed over the last three decades.

The Role:

Location:   Concord, New Hampshire 

Overview:  The Executive Director (ED) will lead Community Bridges to deliver on the mission and vision under the governance of a highly engaged and collaborative Board of Directors. Working closely with the Board and members of the senior leadership team, the new leader will refine and evaluate the strategic plan as required in order to adapt to an ever-changing healthcare market environment.

S/he will continue to develop and leverage innovative and effective programs and services that promote growth and increase service impact for individuals with disabilities and their families across central New Hampshire.

The new ED will continue to work with the Bureau of Developmental Services and state legislators to ensure continued funding of Community Bridges programs and advocate for Agency participants as New Hampshire moves rapidly toward a managed care system.

The ED will also create and implement a diversified funding plan including the development of alternative revenue streams to increase unrestricted funds supplementing government partnerships.

S/he will partner with the CFO to negotiate contracts with the MCOs, and will work with members of the senior leadership team and the Board, to educate and advocate with state legislators in order to continue to provide high quality and seamless service delivery to Agency participants and partners.

As the key spokesperson of Community Bridges, the ED will regularly interact with and make presentations to legislators and other state officials, community leadership, and other area agencies, local and state businesses, regulatory and funding agencies, and Agency participants and families.

As Team Leader, the Executive Director will continue to support an exceptionally high-performing staff including ten direct reports.

The ED will be an active board member of Community Support Network Inc. (CSNI) and contribute to the CSNI mission (https://www.csni.org/).

This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly strategic, business-oriented and mission-driven executive to join a dynamic agency with a solid foundation that continuously strives to bring new and innovative approaches to help people live better lives, celebrate their achievements, and connect them to their communities through inclusive activities and outreach.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the day-to-day management of a complex organization providing leadership, direction, and oversight toward the achievement of annual Agency goals and objectives while operating within the budget approved by the Board.
• Lead the vision, direction, inspiration and motivation to ensure Community Bridges programmatic and operational sustainability in a highly complex and rapidly changing system.
• Work collaboratively with the Board in delivering on the strategic plan ensuring the sustainability of current programs, services and partnerships while remaining open to new opportunities or ways of working without compromising on mission and values.
• In collaboration with the CFO, ensure the development and establishment of fiscal plans, systems and controls and ensure the soundness of the financial structure.
• Lead the development of effective growth strategies and processes including the development of new revenue streams from various sources, working to reduce the significant reliance on government funding.
• Represent the Agency with all constituency groups; develop and implement strategies and approaches to build and maintain effective relationships that support Community Bridges in carrying out its mission within the community.
• With the support of Human Resources, ensure employee interests and welfare are preserved and protected; identify professional development opportunities for staff; and continue to support a collaborative and inclusive team decision-making process.
• In collaboration with the senior leadership team, maintain high quality management of all programs and services; ensure that all activities are in compliance with professional and governmental regulations including state and federal contractual and licensing obligations.

Candidate Profile:

Professional Experience:

• Significant leadership and management experience in a similarly complex, multi-program social services organization serving individuals with disabilities and their families; experience could include a track record of success in behavioral health, early childhood intervention, progressive elder services or employment services.
• Track record of working collaboratively with a Board of Directors on strategic planning and mission-execution; including board recruitment.
• Comprehensive professional understanding and background in working with individuals with disabilities in a non-institutional, community-based, person-centered environment.
• Direct experience and strong understanding of the political dynamics surrounding ever-changing and complex state funding and legislation, particularly as it relates to organizational growth and development, as well as how it impacts individuals with disabilities and their families.
• Track record of leadership and ability to influence a broad network including policy makers and supports; advocacy experience on a local, state, and/or federal level.
• Demonstrated success in securing public and private funding; ability to implement short and long-term fundraising strategies.
• Strong business acumen and planning skills; experience developing alternative revenue streams and expansion of services.
• Strong financial management skills and a proven track record of working in partnership with a highly capable CFO.
• Experience working in a community setting and responsive to community needs; strong relationship builder with a variety of stakeholders.
• Evidence of leading through change with positive outcomes; comfortable delegating and empowering a talented and motivated senior management team.
• Knowledge of Medicaid and experience running an organization funded by Medicaid is highly desirable.

 Personal Attributes:

• Passionate about the Community Bridges mission and values, and a champion for person-centered thinking and populations dealing with long-term chronic situations.
• Entrepreneurial and innovative spirit with a drive to succeed in a challenging New Hampshire marketplace; strong ability to anticipate and manage change.
• Strategic thinker and visionary leader; bold in leading change and taking calculated risks in order to deliver on the mission and maintain superior services to constituents.

• Results oriented; able to understand financial and programmatic requirements and provide solutions in a rapidly changing funding environment and growth oriented-organization.

• A collaborative and motivational management style; leads by example; displays sound judgment and high ethical standards.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with an ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• A sense of humor and the personal qualities of integrity, entrepreneurial spirit, calm under fire, and striving for continuous improvement.
• A commitment to fundraising as an essential activity for growth and sustainability.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree essential.
• Advanced degree in human services, management or related experience required.

How to Apply

If you, or anyone you know, are interested in this opportunity, please email your resume and cover letter to: janet.albert@bridgepartnersllc.com

Community Bridges is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.