Community Support Specialist, Residential, Substitute

$44,720 - $52,998/Yr

Thresholds - Skokie, IL

Part-time - Entry Level

Skokie, IL

Social Assistance

About the position

The Community Support Specialist - Residential (Adult Program) plays a crucial role in facilitating mental health rehabilitation interventions and supports for individuals with mental illnesses. This position is centered around assisting members in achieving their rehabilitative, resilience, and recovery goals within a Thresholds-operated residential program. The specialist is responsible for providing direct services, which include individual and group counseling, case management, job support, crisis intervention, and psycho-social rehabilitation services. Under direct supervision, the specialist gathers member information, assesses service needs, and makes treatment recommendations while identifying existing natural resources and supports available to the members. In addition to direct service provision, the Community Support Specialist identifies risk factors related to relapse and develops prevention plans and strategies. They may also assist in the development and review of Individual Treatment Plans (ITP) through face-to-face meetings with members or their guardians to identify specific goals, objectives, and necessary mental health services. Teaching independent living skills such as housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, and personal hygiene is also a key responsibility, along with fostering the development of functional, interpersonal, support systems, and coping skills. The specialist provides support to members in accessing collateral sources, including other agencies and medical providers, advocating for their needs and assisting in problem-solving to utilize community resources effectively. Comprehensive member assessments are performed in collaboration with the team to identify mental health service needs and make treatment recommendations. The role also emphasizes promoting member self-advocacy and participation in decision-making processes related to their treatment and planning. Maintaining a clean and safe living environment is essential, as the specialist is responsible for keeping the residence neat and advising supervisors of any maintenance issues. They are expected to attend required meetings, complete monthly clinical supervision trainings, and meet billing targets while ensuring all documentation is completed within assigned time frames. The position may require the use of a personal vehicle for work-related tasks, and the specialist must maintain agency-required liability insurance coverage. Overall, the Community Support Specialist is integral to creating a supportive and rehabilitative atmosphere for members, ensuring their well-being and progress in recovery.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct service to members through individual and group counseling, case management, job support, crisis intervention, and psycho‐social rehabilitation services.
• Gathers member information and assesses the need for service, makes recommendations for treatment, and identifies existing natural resources and supports.
• Identifies risk factors related to relapse and develops relapse prevention plans and strategies.
• Develops and assists with members' Individual Treatment Plans (ITP) through face-to-face meetings to identify goals and necessary mental health services.
• Teaches members independent living skills such as housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, and personal hygiene.
• Provides support to members with collateral sources, advocating and assisting with problem-solving to access community support.
• Performs comprehensive member assessments to identify mental health service needs and make treatment recommendations.
• Promotes member self‐advocacy and participation in decision-making and treatment planning.
• Ensures that the Thresholds Service Plan addresses member needs and includes objectives and techniques for accomplishing each goal.
• Works cooperatively with inpatient hospital staff, keeping logs and records of all contacts as required.
• Monitors Self Administration of Medication and documents medication monitoring procedures.
• Communicates significant information regarding members to other staff or leadership and provides timely information to supervisors.
• Assures compliance with Thresholds procedures regarding handling member funds and maintains high standards of reporting and accounting.
• Maintains a clean and safe residence, advising supervisors of maintenance issues and creating an inviting atmosphere for members.
• Attends required meetings and completes monthly clinical supervision trainings in a timely manner.
• Meets required billing targets and completes all documentation within assigned time frames.
• Uses personal vehicle for work and maintains agency-required liability insurance coverage.
• Conducts safety checks and maintains health and safety logs as required.

Requirements

• Must meet Office of Mental Health Rule 132 credential requirements for a Rehabilitative Services Associate, requiring a minimum age of 21.
• Hold a Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field.
• High School diploma or GED is required.
• At least 21 years of age is required.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field is preferred.
• Any Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of experience in the field is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in the field can be substituted for a degree.
• Trained in Basic First Aid and CPR.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay - Base Rate: $21.50 - $25.48 hourly / $44,720 - $53,000 annually, subject to increase based on education and experience.