Community Support Specialist

About the position

The Community Support Specialist provides integrated, holistic, community-based support services. This is a Full-time, benefit eligible position scheduled Monday - Friday. The role involves providing individualized and group education services based on the strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences identified collaboratively with clients and their families, focusing on supporting clients' movement toward recovery and resiliency goals. The position also includes assisting clients in identifying their strengths and needs regarding substance abuse and mental illness, participating in the development of Wellness Plans, and providing education and skill-building in various areas to promote independent living.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized and group education services based on strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences identified collaboratively with client/family.
• Assist clients in identifying strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences regarding substance abuse/mental illness and participate in the development of Wellness Plans.
• Provide services from a holistic perspective, incorporating coaching surrounding the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
• Support clients in completing goals identified on Wellness Plans and review them as required.
• Aid clients in accessing public services, including financial, housing, and emergency assistance.
• Maintain contact with hospitalized clients, participate in discharge planning, and communicate with providers for aftercare plans.
• Provide education and skill-building in areas such as daily living skills, employment/education, symptom management, and budgeting.
• Assist clients with developing personal support systems, including work with family members and recovery communities.
• Provide individual assistance to clients in accessing needed services, including accompanying them to appointments.
• Follow up with clients regarding appointments and completion of forms.
• Contact consumers with unexcused absences from the CSTAR program to re-engage them.
• Meet service provision expectations per client needs and company guidelines.
• Complete documentation and paperwork within the required timeframe.
• Communicate actively with other members of the integrated team regarding all areas of client wellness.
• Seek and include input from Integrated Health Team providers on clients' Wellness Plans.
• Work with clients to determine needed services and provide hand-offs to those services.
• Make referrals to additional services/providers as needed for clients' Integrated Health Team.
• Function as a liaison to others involved in clients' treatment, including family, employers, and schools.
• Seek culturally competent services and service providers to meet the unique cultural needs of clients and families.
• Assist clients with transportation as clinically indicated; driving is an essential function of this position.

Requirements

• High School/GED required.
• At least four (4) years of experience or a combination of higher education and experience required 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 required 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

• Associate's/Bachelor's/Master's degree in a human service-related field preferred.
• If the degree is an Associate's of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support from an approved institution, then no additional experience is required.

Benefits

• $1500 sign-on bonus; additional $500 for Qualified Mental Health Professionals.
• 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.