Mille Lacs Academy

Executive Director

www.nexus-yfs.org www.nexus/millelacsacademy.org www.ballingerleafblad.com

Ballinger | Leafblad is proud to present the following information on behalf of our client, Nexus:
Youth & Family Solutions, in its search for an Executive Director of Mille Lacs Academy.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Nexus: Youth & Family Solutions (Nexus) is a growing national nonprofit corporation
which was founded in Minnesota in 1972.

Today, it is a national organization with a budget

of $110 million and staff of 1,300, serving roughly
3200 youth and families each year through
services across the states of Minnesota, Illinois,
Maryland, North Dakota and Idaho. Nexus
facilities include six residential locations and two
foster care agencies.

Nexus treats children with severe emotional and

behavioral issues. Programs assist those who
experience abuse, neglect, complex trauma,
mental health disorders, sexually reactive
behavior and pervasive developmental disorders.

The nationally recognized treatment programs help adolescent boys and girls and families
deal with
• Mental, Emotional, Behavioral, Social, and Developmental Issues
• Unhealthy Sexual Behaviors
• Intellectual Developmental Disabilities
• Family Instability Concerns
• Acute and Complex Trauma

Through the acquisition of new locations and the addition

of new programs, Nexus has grown dramatically over the
last several years.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Staff members describe a culture that is mission-driven and focused on making a difference
in the lives of people served. Innovation and a drive to remain
Nexus remains flexible and oriented to on-going skills enhancement for staff. The

continued expansion and change, while seeking to retain what is unique and special from the
past.

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MISSION

strengthening mental health

VISION Healing the past, breaking the cycle, changing the future

VALUES
HONESTY
Be truthful and genuine with self and others.

RESPONSIBIITY
Step up and do the right thing.

COURAGE
Face fear and take action. Make the right decision, regardless of the outcome.

CARE & CONCERN

Demonstrate genuine interest, compassion and support.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The guiding principles for Nexus provide a strong sense of direction as we move toward
the future. We believe all children must be treated with dignity and respect, we operate
with a sense of optimism for the future, and we strive to exemplify the highest ethical
and moral standards in our treatment.

COMMUNITY We collaborate to develop and support healthy teams and partnerships.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION We listen to our customers and strive to exceed their

expectations.

HOPE We believe in and instill an optimistic vision for the future and share the healing
power of a healthy sense of humor.

INNOVATION We are creative, adaptive, and proactive to achieve excellence in our

quality of care.

INTEGRITY We exemplify the highest moral and ethical standards by honoring our
commitments.

RESPECT We welcome diverse viewpoints and treat others with dignity and quality.

STEWARDSHIP We commit to appreciating, developing, and promoting the wise use of

resources.
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MILLE LACS ACADEMY

Mille Lacs Academy (MLA) is located 75 miles north of the Twin Cities on a 40-acre wooded lot, just
outside the city of Onamia, Minnesota. The site features a state-of-the-art facility that includes a
school, gymnasium, dormitories, kitchen, cafeteria, group living space, and office space.
Programming focuses on adolescent boys, ages 10-19, with unhealthy sexual behaviors and
significant mental health issues, as well as specialized programming for lower intellectual
functioning, developmental delay, and other special needs.

• Residential Treatment
• Group Home Program
• The School at Mille Lacs Academy

Treatment interventions address sexually inappropriate or perpetrative behaviors, boundary

issues, and the resolution of personal victimization issues. Individual therapy, family therapy,
group therapy, experiential and brain-based therapy, recreational and vocational programming,
psychological assessment, psychiatric and medication monitoring, medical services, and
independent living skills are all integral aspects of treatment. MLA treats each boy as an
individual and recognizes his unique needs and history.

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PROGRAMS
Youth on the Gender Continuum
Nexus gender-continuum sensitivity means staff and foster parents are committed to:
• Understanding the range of gender expressions and difference in desire for and access to
educational services and knowledge about surgical or hormonal interventions, and use if
approved through legal guardians.
• Recognizing distinctions between gender identity and sexual orientation, and understand
differences (and similarities) in health care delivery needs.
• Working to discover local expertise, protocols, and access to collaboration and referral.
• Establishing policies to make MLA more gender-continuum friendly.

Direct care staff and foster parents are trained to understand the unique trauma implications of
this population, including their heightened risks of the following:
• Rejected by parents and/or kicked out of their homes;
• Experienced discrimination/harassment in school and on the streets;
• Experienced hate violence and domestic violence;
• Persecuted for exerting their basic rights;
• Experienced abusive treatment by law enforcement;
• Experienced public humiliation, ridicule, marginalization, and exclusion.

Residential Treatment

physically, or emotionally abused. Some of the boys in this program also have lower intellectual
functioning (IQs from 55-70) pervasive developmental delays, and/or other special needs. These
boys may struggle with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome/Effect, Attention Deficit Disorder, Disruptive Behaviors, Impulse Control Disorders,
and/or other Brain-Based Disorders.

Boys are diagnosed at admission according to DSM-IV-TR criteria, from which an individualized
treatment plan is created to address each youth's level of functioning, special needs, age, and
history.

Treatment interventions include sexuality therapy that addresses inappropriate behaviors,

boundary issues, sex education, and the resolution of personal victimization issues. Individual
therapy, family therapy, group therapy, experiential and brain-based therapy, recreational
therapy, psychological assessment, psychiatric and medication monitoring, medical services, and
daily living and independent living skills are integral aspects of treatment.

Group Home Program

New Trails Group Home
The Mille Lacs Academy New Trails Group Home helps young men prepare for life back in the
community. During this final stage of treatment, youth participate in employment opportunities,
as well as educational and extracurricular programs that help them develop social and
independent living skills.

Youth focus on problem-solving and decision-making, while they continue to address issues
related to family, peer pressure dynamics, chemical use, technology challenges, vocational skill
development, social skills development, independent living skills development, and healthy
sexuality.

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New Trails Group Home youth participate in employment opportunities, as well as educational
and extracurricular programs, both at Mille Lacs Academy and within the community.

Mille Lacs Academy School

Mille Lacs Academy School believes all students are capable of academic achievement, regardless
of their disability, mental health diagnosis, or past school experiences. Its mission is to provide
students with a safe, caring, and welcoming environment with an academic experience that allows
them to grow and discover all that they are capable of achieving.

The Mille Lacs Academy (MLA) on-sight school serves youth with a variety of emotional,
behavioral, and academic needs who receive treatment at Mille Lacs Academy. The school is
independent from Nexus, and is part of the Onamia Public School System. Students' graduation
and credit requirements are governed by the local district affiliation.

The school serves grades 4 through 12 and prides itself on utilizing a highly structured
environment that engages students in small class sizes to best meet the needs of each student on
an individual basis. Mille Lacs Academy staff and school staff work cooperatively to meet the
needs of our youth.

Each student's education plan is tailored toward credit and coursework necessary for
advancement, to meet graduation and diploma standards, and the student's functioning ability.
The elementary education offers all classes governed by State Academic Standards. The school has
two self-contained special needs classrooms, a library, computer lab, and a behavioral support
room. When the IEP identifies a need for increased educational guidance, there is an academic
resource room to support the student's varying educational needs.

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THE POSITION

Executive Director of Mille Lacs Academy

The Executive Director of Mille Lacs Academy provides agency leadership and ensures the
financial sustainability and operational efficiency of all services, programs and departments as
demonstrated by service and program growth and a healthy agency culture. The Executive
Director is responsible for implementing the strategic plan based on organization and agency
vision and mission, and creating effective service outcomes by creating a trauma-informed,
values-driven culture that supports youth-guided and family-driven care. The Executive Director
ensures the development and retention of employees, and maintaining applicable policies and
standards of the organization, as well as external regulating bodies.

This position reports directly to the Chief Officer of Child & Family Services (COCFS). A total of
up to 100 staff members work at Mille Lacs Academy.

Essential Responsibilities:
1. Accountable for the overall positive leadership of the agency and maintains a healthy and
high-performing culture among employees that supports staff development and reinforces
effective supervisory engagement and the collaborative management of others.
2. Manages the day-to-day operations of services and programs by supporting the effective
functioning of all departments and ensuring that the physical locations are well
maintained, safe, and conducive to the therapeutic treatment and engagement of youth
and families.
3. Leads by example and role models trustworthy and value-based behavior and reinforces
the vision, mission, values, and practice principles of the organization while upholding
agency expectations and values.
4. Unites employees around their connection to the larger Nexus organization and creates

supporting one voice/brand nationwide.

5. Partners and works collaboratively with other agency Executive Directors to promote
operational excellence and efficiency through best practice sharing and adoption of
standardized approaches across all agencies where appropriate.
6. Actively involved in promoting positive public relations, marketing, and community
relations by participating in community events, appropriate civic, governmental, and
political advocacy, and participating in news coverage that is likely to generate positive
visibility for Nexus and the agency.
7. Works effectively with assigned Board of Directors and/or maintains an active advisory
committee by ensuring timeliness, organization, effective coordination, accurate reporting,
and ongoing recruiting and positive outreach of Board and/or advisory committee
members.
8. Actively participates in philanthropic efforts and as a result participates in obtaining
fundraising dollars, gets involved in events, builds relationships, and actively pursues
grants and other external funding sources for expanding or enhancing current or projected
development initiatives.
9. Develops a strong referral base by actively promoting services and achieving high
satisfaction with the youth, family, and referral agent experiences as demonstrated by
positive results on satisfaction surveys and a steady stream of admissions and requests for
services.

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 10. Maintains appropriate census and budget expectations for long-term sustainability, as well
as manages expenses and increases revenue and/or diversifies funding streams to ensure
that the strategic goals of assigned services and the mission are achieved.
11. Actively looks for ways to expand and grow services and be innovative with programs to
keep up with sector trends to enhance better outcomes and impact.
12. Building off of research and best practices, incorporates state of the art clinical services
and programming that generates positive, long-term outcomes. Ensure the implementation
of the Nexus practice model and clinical standards across all services and programs.
13. Supports an active continuous quality improvement and risk management culture in
which key organization and agency performance indicators are routinely identified,
monitored and improved.
14. Actively manages interpersonal conflict and disagreements among staff in a professional
and respectful manner and demonstrates positive social skills when engaging with others.
15. Manages a current and relevant training program that orients and mentors new staff

development of future leaders.

16. Leads and adjusts the agenc
relevant goals and strategies to address current needs as well as long-term planning while
integrating Nexus organizational initiatives.
17. Demonstrates Executive Leadership behavior by being cooperative, collaborative,
productive, and taking responsibility for decisions and actions, and maintaining the
confidentiality of organizational information, employees, and those served.
18. Ensures that the agency adheres to the requirements of all licensing, contracting and
accrediting bodies.

Management Responsibilities
Direct Reports to the Executive Director include: Associate Executive Director, Operation Director,
Clinical Director, Business or Finance Manager, CQI Personnel, Communications Personnel,
Education Leadership, Human Resources Personnel, and Department Heads as Assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Skills and Personal Attributes
• Demonstrates ability to plan, organize and effectively manage multiple priorities and perform
activities in a manner that makes the best use of existing resources, staff and time.
• Knowledgeable of budget development and management techniques and the reporting of
financial data enabling the proper monitoring of site performance to established plans.
• Inspires and motivates others to perform well and accepts feedback from others in a
constructive manner, includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process

• Demonstrates willingness to make decisions, exhibits sound and accurate judgment, and
makes timely decisions, utilizes sound judgment in handling emergency or crisis situations by
taking appropriate actions consistent with Nexus and agency policy and procedures.
• Exhibits clear, professional, respectful and effective communication when interfacing with
clients, staff, families and external contacts and is willing to share knowledge, information and
resources appropriately.
• Exhibits a high degree of ethical conduct, integrity and confidentiality.
• Delegates work assignments, gives authority to work independently, sets expectations and
monitors delegated activities.

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• Interacts with and appreciates people from diverse cultural, social, sexual orientation and
religious backgrounds and promotes/supports the principles of diversity throughout the
organization.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and the ability
to reference and use them.
• Supports the mission of Nexus ("Changing the Course of a Child's Life by Stabilizing Families
and Strengthening Mental Health") by exemplifying the Cornerstone Values, the Values in
Action and the Practice Principles in all interactions with internal and external customers, and
in all work performed on behalf of the organization.

Education, Credentials and Experience

• Masters degree in a clinical field required with licensing preferred; a combination of business
degree with direct clinical experience will be considered.
• At least 10 years of clinical experience with children, youth or families, and specific experience
with agency services and programs required;
• At least 5 years of senior level supervisory and management experience required;
• Working knowledge and experience overseeing and being responsible for operations and
financial oversight required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The compensation range for this position is $140,000-$160,000 and includes an executive base
Relocation
stipend provided.

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ABOUT ONAMIA, MINNESOTA

Onamia, Minnesota is located in Mille Lacs County on the shore of Lake Onamia. It is just south of
the popular Mille Lacs Lake and 75 miles from Minneapolis. Onamia is named after Lake Onamia,

The city dates to 1908 when lumbering was a

A key feature includes hands-on learning for
largest city, housing the Mille Lacs Health beadwork, birch bark basketry, basswood
System, light industry, and many small, dyeing, embroidery, and traditional cooking.
locally owned businesses. The crafts room connects to an outdoor
program area featuring demonstrations of
Recreational opportunities abound with wild ricing, maple
three city parks (one with a tennis court), a sugar processing,
little league ballfield, a skate park (skate traditional
board and ice-skating), the Lions Fitness dancing, and tipi
Center and three nearby golf courses. The and canoe
Soo Line South Trail, a bicycle and ATV trail, building.
runs through Onamia.

The Onamia Depot Library is also located on Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is located just
the Soo Line Trail in the refurbished Soo Line west of the city. Visitors can climb to the top
Depot. of the 100-foot observation tower that
overlooks the park and Mille Lacs Lake, a
must during the fall color season. Hike the
Landmark Trail to visit the sites of former
American Indian villages and explore part of
the Kathio National Historic Landmark
District. Visit the park's interpretive center to
The Mille Lacs learn about the area's rich history and
Indian Museum diverse wildlife.
and Trading Post
is a partnership
between the
Minnesota
Historical
Society and the
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. This popular
attraction journeys through the story of the
Ojibwe, from the time of their settlement in
Northern Minnesota, through a period of
treaties made and broken, and up to the
present. To emphasize the continuing
importance of language in contemporary
Ojibwe culture, exhibit text incorporates
both Ojibwe and English.

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 BALLINGER|LEAFBLAD WELCOMES YOU TO CONTACT US FOR
MORE INFORMATION:

PRESENTING THE TWIN CITIES OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL

Diane Steele Marcia Ballinger, PhD

Vice President Co-Founder/Principal
952-484-4217 651-341-4840
dianes@ballingerleafblad.com marcia@ballingerleafblad.com

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