About the position
The Community Support Specialist provides integrated, holistic, community support services engaging both the child and parent/caregiver. This role involves using a motivational, stage-matched approach to provide individualized services based on strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences identified collaboratively with the client/family. The focus is on supporting the client and family's movement toward improved functioning and achieving their treatment goals. The position requires working with parents to engage in treatment with the child, providing services using a System of Care philosophy, and supporting the completion of goals identified on Wellness Plans. The specialist will assist families in accessing services and resources, maintain contact during hospitalizations, provide educational information, develop crisis intervention plans, and participate in interagency team coordination.
Responsibilities
- Provide individualized services based on strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences identified collaboratively with client/family.
- Engage parents in treatment with the child to improve clinical outcomes.
- Provide services using System of Care philosophy and a holistic, person-centered, strengths-based perspective.
- Support client/family in completing goals identified on Wellness Plans.
- Assist families in accessing, locating, and arranging services and resources.
- Maintain contact with client/family 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 and provide crisis intervention services as needed.
- Assist client/family in developing natural support systems.
- Participate in and coordinate with child and family interagency team members.
- Complete documentation collaboratively with client and family within required timeframes.
- Meet service provision expectations per client needs and agency guidelines.
- Communicate actively with other members of the integrated health team regarding client wellness.
- Seek input from Integrated Health Team providers on client's Wellness Plan.
- Make referrals to additional services/providers as needed.
- Seek culturally competent services to meet the unique cultural needs of clients.
Requirements
- High School/GED required.
- Associates/Bachelor's degree in a human service-related field preferred.
- At least four (4) years of experience or a combination of higher education and experience if a High School/GED is the highest education obtained.
- At least two (2) years of experience or a combination of higher education and experience if an Associate's degree is the highest education obtained.
- At least one (1) year of experience required if a non-human service Bachelor's degree is the highest education obtained.
- All experience must include working with individuals with psychiatric, substance use, and/or developmental disabilities.
- A valid driver's license and agency established minimum automobile coverage required.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience working in a community health setting.
- Knowledge of mental health and substance use treatment practices.
- Skills in crisis intervention and conflict resolution.
Benefits
- Advancement opportunities.
- Professional development.
- Licensure supervision.
- Mentor opportunities.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Scholarship program.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Headspace Access.
- Paid time off & Paid Holidays.
- NHSC Loan Repayment Participant.
