Community Support Specialist Youth

Compass Health Network - Warsaw, MO

Full-time - Entry Level

Warsaw, MO

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Community Support Specialist Youth at Compass Health Network plays a crucial role in providing integrated and holistic community support services to children and their families. This position is designed to engage both the child and the parent or caregiver, ensuring that they are active participants in the treatment process. The specialist serves as an integral member of the client's integrated health team, acting as a liaison to other wellness team members both internally and externally. The role requires evening and weekend availability to meet the diverse needs of clients, as well as daily travel to assigned service territories. In this position, the Community Support Specialist utilizes a motivational, stage-matched approach to deliver individualized services tailored to the strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences of the client and their family. This involves working closely with parents to ensure their engagement in the treatment process, which is essential for achieving improved clinical outcomes. The specialist provides services grounded in the System of Care philosophy, adopting a holistic, person-centered, strengths-based perspective that incorporates coaching on the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, addressing both physical and mental health. The specialist is responsible for supporting clients and families in completing goals outlined in their Wellness Plans, regularly reviewing and reassessing needs, service choices, and community functioning. They assist families in accessing and arranging necessary services and resources, maintain contact during hospitalizations, and participate in discharge planning. Educational information and skill-building sessions are provided to enhance daily living skills, coping strategies, and symptom management. Additionally, the specialist develops and implements crisis intervention plans and assists families in building natural support systems. Collaboration is key in this role, as the specialist communicates actively with other members of the integrated health team, including psychiatrists, therapists, and primary care providers, to ensure comprehensive care. They also seek culturally competent services to meet the unique needs of each client and family. The position requires a high school diploma or GED, with preference given to candidates holding an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a human service-related field, along with relevant experience working with individuals facing psychiatric, substance use, or developmental challenges.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized services based on strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences identified collaboratively with client/family.
• Engage parents in treatment to improve clinical outcomes for the child.
• Utilize a holistic, person-centered, strengths-based perspective in service delivery.
• Support client/family in completing goals identified on Wellness Plans and reassess needs as necessary.
• Assist families in accessing and arranging services and resources to achieve their goals.
• Maintain contact with clients during hospitalizations and participate in discharge planning.
• Provide educational information and skill-building regarding daily living skills, coping skills, and symptom management.
• Develop and implement crisis intervention plans with families and provide necessary crisis intervention services.
• Assist families in developing natural support systems involving family members, school staff, and legal guardians.
• Participate in coordination with interagency team members to advocate for the mental health needs of the child/family.
• Complete documentation collaboratively with clients and families within required timeframes.
• Meet service provision expectations per client needs and agency guidelines, including evening and weekend services.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a human service-related field preferred.
• At least four years of experience in a relevant field if only a High School diploma is obtained.
• At least two years of experience or a combination of education and experience if an Associate's degree is obtained.
• At least one year of experience required if a non-human service Bachelor's degree is obtained.
• Experience must include working with individuals with psychiatric, substance use, and/or developmental disabilities.
• Valid driver's license and agency-established minimum automobile coverage required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a nonprofit health care organization.
• Familiarity with the System of Care philosophy.
• Knowledge of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package
• Advancement opportunities
• Professional development
• Licensure supervision
• Mentor opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Scholarship program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Headspace Access
• Paid time off and Paid Holidays
• NHSC Loan Repayment Participant