Community Support Specialist - Substitute - South Suburbs

Thresholds - Blue Island, IL

Full-time

Blue Island, IL

Social Assistance

About the position

The Community Support Specialist (CSS) at Thresholds plays a vital role in providing direct services to clients, focusing on individual and group counseling, vocational support, crisis intervention, and psychosocial rehabilitation. This position is designed to empower clients by teaching them independent and community living skills, which are essential for their personal development and integration into society. The CSS will coach clients in developing a functional interpersonal support system, which is crucial for their emotional and social well-being. In addition to direct client interaction, the CSS will promote the development of problem-solving and coping skills, enabling clients to navigate challenges effectively. Advocacy is a key component of this role, as the CSS will work closely with personal and administrative collaterals, including family members, significant others, medical care providers, and various agencies such as the Social Security Administration (SSA), Department of Human Services (DHS), and Chicago Housing Authority (CHA). Facilitating access to quality and stable housing is also a critical responsibility, ensuring that clients have the necessary resources to thrive in their communities.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct service to clients through individual and group counseling/therapy.
• Offer vocational support and crisis intervention.
• Facilitate psychosocial rehabilitation for clients.
• Teach independent and community living skills to clients.
• Coach clients in developing a functional interpersonal support system.
• Promote the development of problem-solving and coping skills among clients.
• Advocate with personal and administrative collaterals, including family and significant others, medical care providers, and other agencies.
• Facilitate access to quality and stable housing for clients.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field is required; a Master's in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or Rehabilitation Services is preferred.
• Experience working with persons diagnosed with mental illness is preferred.
• Ability to work as an effective team player.
• Ability to document services provided in an Electronic Health Record in a timely manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills are essential.
• Must be 23 years of age and meet all insurance carrier's requirements.