Community Support Specialist

$32,000 - $45,000/Yr

Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health - Liberty, MO

Full-time

Liberty, MO

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Community Support Specialist plays a vital role in assisting individuals in adapting to their communities by developing personalized plans that cater to their unique needs. This position involves utilizing evidence-based techniques and collaborating with various professionals to deliver comprehensive mental health services. The primary objective is to empower clients and their families, enabling them to establish strong foundations for long-term well-being and independence. By connecting clients with local resources and fostering a supportive network, the Community Support Specialist promotes growth, stability, and resilience among clients. In this role, the specialist will provide community-based mental health services to a diverse population, including children, adolescents, and adults. This includes conducting assessments, making diagnoses, creating treatment plans, and implementing interventions tailored to each client's specific needs and goals. The specialist will employ a strengths-based approach that emphasizes empowerment, skill-building, and resilience, integrating evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Positive Reinforcement Techniques, and Trauma-Informed Strategies, along with skills rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Collaboration is key in this position, as the specialist will work closely with clients, families, and other stakeholders to develop and execute individualized treatment plans. They will also coordinate care with other service providers, including primary care physicians, psychiatrists, schools, and community organizations, ensuring a holistic approach to client care. Maintaining accurate and timely records of client interactions, treatments, and progress is essential, adhering to organizational policies and procedures. The Community Support Specialist will engage in ongoing professional development through training and education programs to enhance their knowledge and skills related to youth mental health services. They will contribute to the organization's quality improvement initiatives by participating in data collection, analysis, and reporting. Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, such as parents, teachers, and counselors, is crucial for effective client support. Additionally, the specialist will prepare for and facilitate group sessions as part of the client treatment plan goals, and for those involved in ACT/ACT TAY/IMPART, knowledge of the basic elements of the ACT model and the services provided by ACT teams is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide community-based mental health services to children, adolescents, and/or adults including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention implementation.
• Collaborate with clients, families, and other stakeholders to develop and implement individualized treatment plans that address the client's specific needs and goals.
• Utilize a strengths-based approach that emphasizes empowerment, skill-building, and resilience, incorporating evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Positive Reinforcement Techniques, Trauma-Informed Strategies, and skills based in CBT and DBT approaches.
• Provide behavioral interventions, including motivational interviewing, operant conditioning, interpersonal and group dynamics, cognitive processing, and other evidence-based interventions.
• Coordinate care with other service providers, including primary care physicians, psychiatrists, schools, and community organizations.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of client interactions, treatments, and progress, in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Participate in staff development activities, including training and education programs, to enhance knowledge and skills related to youth mental health services.
• Contribute to the organization's quality improvement initiatives, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the team, including case managers, therapists, and support staff, to ensure effective coordination of care and support for clients.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including parents, teachers, counselors, and other professionals involved in the client's care.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor or as deemed necessary by the department.
• Preparing for and facilitating PSR group sessions as pertinent to client treatment plan goals.

Requirements

• Experience in providing mental health services or support to individuals in a community setting.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices in mental health, including CBT and DBT approaches.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with clients, families, and other professionals.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation in compliance with organizational policies.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and participation in training programs.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with children and adolescents in a mental health context.
• Familiarity with the ACT model and its core processes.