Michael Mitchell
Assistant Director
Cordova,TN
Summary
Experienced mental health professional with over 15 years of dedicated service supporting some of the nation’s most vulnerable youth. Brings more than a decade of leadership experience within the mental health field, with a strong focus on staff development, youth progress, and organizational growth. Proven ability to lead teams, implement effective interventions, and foster environments that promote both employee development and positive outcomes for youth. Committed to continuous improvement and making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and the communities served.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director
Youth Villages- Bills Place
10.2021 - Current
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, local regulations governing residential services facilities.
- Developed and implemented staff training programs to improve service quality and consistency.
- Implemented safety protocols to ensure the well-being of residents and staff members alike.
- Improved communication between staff members, resulting in better teamwork and collaboration.
- Monitored resident satisfaction levels through regular surveys, adjusting services or amenities based on feedback received.
- Developed and enforced safety policies and procedures to drive safety and well-being of students.
- Enforced policies and safety standards through building.
- Developed, implemented and monitored residential policies and procedures.
Senior Program Manager
Youth Villages - Bills Place
11.2020 - 10.2021
- Monitored and managed budgets for assigned groups; contributed to annual and ongoing budget planning.
- Collaborated with Program Director, Clinical Consultant, and senior leadership on critical incidents and high-priority events.
- Served as Manager on Duty, overseeing campus operations, client care, and leadership communication during shift transitions.
- Directed daily treatment milieu operations, ensuring alignment with organizational treatment philosophy and protocols.
- Designed and implemented structured evening and weekend programming to support youth development and engagement.
- Supervised educational programming, ensuring instructional quality, effective behavior management, and adherence to treatment models.
- Participated in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings; ensured timely follow-up on interventions and action items.
- Provided consultation and guidance to counselors on assessments, treatment planning, and therapeutic interventions.the treatment model, and when necessary, participates in staffing to help plan and evaluate treatment programs.
- Participates in treatment team meetings and ensures follow up of staff interventions. Serves as consultant to counselors in all areas of treatment assessments, treatment plans, and therapeutic interventions.
Program Manager
Youth Villages, Dogwood
05.2018 - 11.2020
- Maintains policy, professional growth, and quality of service within each assigned group.
- Works with staff to ensure that standards of therapeutic environment, plant technology, and safety management are followed
- Meets with youth on individual and group basis as needed to assess and plan individual and group behaviors as needed
- Establish ongoing experiential opportunities for residents and staff with the assistance of recreational therapy
- Provides liaison services with Department of Children Services, Mental Health and other community/state resources to ensure appropriate support services to residents and their families when appropriate
- Ensures that all necessary reports, reviews, and other forms of documentation are completed in a timely manner. Ensures the proper assembly, and timely completion of documentation for residents' charts
- Implements QI program, assisting staff with documentation.
- Adheres to licensing and JCAHO standards. Assists in periodic evaluations of program policies and procedures
- Monitors admission and discharge process to insure adequate utilization
- Evaluates program and staff effectiveness and designs and implements solutions on a systematic basis, empowering their teams to do the same.
- Carefully monitors cottages for cleanliness and safety, staff for compliance with any special treatment procedures.
- Implements on-the-job training for staff supervised and ensures that ongoing training occurs. Work with the Program Director and other supervisors in planning, leading, and carrying out an going in-service training program for staff. Establish on ongoing training schedule and monitor staff development
- Supervises staff and maintains staffing levels for all shifts within the cottages to ensure safety of youth.
Manager on Call
Youth Villages, Dogwood
11.2014 - 05.2018
- Served as Manager on Call, overseeing operational functions and program management for residential services across assigned campus.
- Provided comprehensive oversight of operations and program implementation for residential services.
- Provided on-call leadership for campus operations, managing program performance across the campus
Supervisor
Youth Villages, Dogwood
03.2014 - 11.2014
- Supervised care and daily operations for youth in a staff-secure residential treatment setting, ensuring safety, structure, and adherence to program standards.
- Provided counseling and therapeutic support to youth with behavioral, emotional, and developmental challenges.
- Coordinated with nursing staff to monitor proper administration and documentation of medications.
- Responded to and de-escalated crisis situations, ensuring safety and appropriate intervention strategies.
- Oversaw therapeutic programming, including treatment planning, goal evaluation, problem-solving groups, and behavior expectations.
- Implemented and reinforced the Re-Education (Re-ED) philosophy within daily program operations and staff practices.
- Directed development and continuous improvement of group sites, managing both short- and long-term planning initiatives.
- Led and executed cottage-based projects and coordinated group outings and trip planning activities.
- Facilitated team meetings, providing leadership, direction, and accountability for staff performance and program outcomes.
- Conducted routine inspections to ensure cleanliness, safety, and maintenance standards; communicated findings to leadership as needed.
- Collaborated with maintenance staff to address facility needs and ensure a safe, functional environment for youth and staff.
- Provides general leadership at team meetings. Ensures daily inspection(s) of cottage for cleanliness, safety and maintenance by designated staff with results provided to the Director of
- Residential Services as requested. Works with the Maintenance Supervisor to ensure maintenance needs of groups are met.
Crisis Team
Youth Villages, Dogwood
11.2013 - 03.2014
- Utilized CPI Crisis Development Model to effectively de-escalate youth in crisis through verbal intervention techniques.
- Applied CPI strategies, including crisis holding and disengagement techniques, to safely intervene in high-risk situations when necessary.
Teacher Counselor
Youth Villages, Dogwood
01.2013 - 11.2013
- Provided direct care and supervision to youth in a staff-secure residential treatment setting under the guidance of supervisory staff.
- Instructed and modeled appropriate health, hygiene, and daily living skills to promote positive habits and independence.
- Facilitated ongoing group evaluations, supporting youth engagement in structured activities, responsibilities, and programming.
- Maintained a safe and structured environment through CPI-informed practices, appropriate crisis response, and adherence to approved restraint techniques.
- Ensured compliance with program expectations, attendance standards, and organizational treatment model, including the Re-Education (Re-ED) philosophy.
Summer Intern
Youth Villages - Dogwood
05.2012 - 07.2012
- Planned and led recreational activities, actively engaging youth in structured games and skill-building exercises.
- Utilized problem-solving techniques and role-playing to resolve conflicts, providing immediate, constructive feedback on behaviors.
- Modeled positive behavior and healthy lifestyle choices, fostering a supportive, community-oriented environment.
- Promoted a clean, safe, and respectful living space through active participation and leadership.
- Instructed youth on appropriate health, hygiene, and daily living habits to support personal development and independence.
Education
MSHRM - Human Resource Management
Strayer University
05-2018
BS - Criminology, Sociology
University of Memphis
12-2012
Skills
- Certified Crisis Prevention Instructor
- CPR Certified
- Program Operations Management
- Staff Supervision & Development
- Performance Management & Coaching
- Conflict Resolution & Crisis Leadership
- Team Building & Staff Engagement
- Decision-Making & Problem Solving
Timeline
Assistant Director
Youth Villages- Bills Place
10.2021 - Current
Senior Program Manager
Youth Villages - Bills Place
11.2020 - 10.2021
Program Manager
Youth Villages, Dogwood
05.2018 - 11.2020
Manager on Call
Youth Villages, Dogwood
11.2014 - 05.2018
Supervisor
Youth Villages, Dogwood
03.2014 - 11.2014
Crisis Team
Youth Villages, Dogwood
11.2013 - 03.2014
Teacher Counselor
Youth Villages, Dogwood
01.2013 - 11.2013
Summer Intern
Youth Villages - Dogwood
05.2012 - 07.2012
BS - Criminology, Sociology
University of Memphis
MSHRM - Human Resource Management
Strayer University