Community Support Specialist

Unclassified - Indianapolis, IN

Full-time - Entry Level

Indianapolis, IN

About the position

The Community Support Specialist plays a vital role in helping individuals adapt to their communities by creating personalized plans that address their specific needs. This position focuses on providing comprehensive mental health services through evidence-based techniques and collaboration with other professionals, aiming to empower clients and their families for long-term wellbeing and independence.

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.
• Prepare for and facilitate PSR group sessions as pertinent to client treatment plan goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or other human services specialized field of study; or a Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field with two years of related work experience; or any four-year combination of higher education and two years of related work experience; or an Associate's of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support with qualifying experience.
• Experience delivering services to individuals with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities.
• Experience providing one-on-one or group services with a rehabilitation/habilitation and recovery/resiliency focus.
• Ability to problem solve and communicate ideas clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing to produce clear and concise reports.
• Ability to establish effective relationships with youth and their families via telephone and personal contacts.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of case management and rehabilitation methods, principles and techniques as they relate to mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of the problems encountered by persons with mental health and/or substance use disorders and how to access the various community resources available.
• Knowledge of the methods and modalities as well as the legal requirements and court procedures related to treating mental health and substance use disorders.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance