Community Support Specialist - Housing

Heritage Behavioral Health Center • Decatur, IL

9d • $18 - $25 • Hybrid

About The Position

Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring passionate professionals for the role of Community Support Specialist in Macon County, Illinois. This mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) serves individuals with mental health or co-occurring needs, helping them build independence, navigate systems, improve emotional wellness, and remain stable in the community. The role is deeply relational and highly meaningful, with services often delivered in community settings.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED + experience in a role helping individuals in navigating resources
• High School Diploma or GED + 5 years supervised mental health or social service experience
• Minimum 21 years of age
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance
• Ability to work effectively with individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use concerns.
• Knowledge of community resources and/or the ability to locate and navigate them.
• Knowledge of case management techniques and principles.
• Awareness of healthcare systems including psychiatric, substance use, medical, and related services.
• Ability to meet people “where they are” using a non-judgmental, person-centered approach.
• Strong rapport-building, communication, and engagement skills.
• Ability to work independently while being an effective team player.
• Competency in navigating electronic health records and technology-based documentation tools.
• Ability to adapt to ambiguity, uncertainty, and changing client needs.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with supervisors and other clinical staff.
• Ability to respond quickly and professionally to client needs, supervisors, and team members.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, or a human service field preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide case management, community support services, and manage an individual caseload.
• Engage clients via telephone and face-to-face contact, with most services delivered in community settings.
• Complete comprehensive needs assessments addressing mental health, substance use, medical, dental, vision, benefits, housing, education, employment, transportation, and other quality-of-life factors.
• Assist individuals with applying for, obtaining, and maintaining resources such as medical coverage, SNAP, and SSI/SSDI.
• Document all services and tracking in a timely and accurate manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned or negotiated with the supervisor.
• Teach and practice coping skills to manage mental health, substance use, and health-related symptoms.
• Support skill-building for independent living including meal preparation, housekeeping, budgeting, time management, and other daily living activities.
• Provide coaching on life skills such as communication, personal care, and problem-solving.
• Develop and support engagement in positive social and wellness activities, including rebuilding natural supports and connecting with community-based resources.
• Provide a wide range of supports to assist individuals in obtaining and maintaining stable housing.
• Provide medication monitoring and training: teach clients how to self-administer medications, identify side effects, and communicate with prescribers.
• Actively coordinate referrals and linkages to healthcare including primary care, specialty care, dental, vision, mental health, and substance use services.
• Advocate for housing accommodations, benefits access, and treatment needs as appropriate.
• Assist clients with accessing transportation options and improving transportation independence.
• Participate in interdisciplinary teamwork with clinicians, nurses, healthcare providers, probation, DCFS, and other partners.
• Attend clinical staffings to collaborate on treatment planning and service coordination.
• Support crisis prevention, early intervention, and ongoing follow-up to maintain client stability.

Benefits

• Every other Friday paid off (paid wellness day)
• Competitive salaries aligned with state and national benchmarks
• Loan forgiveness eligibility through NHSC
• Generous Time Off: vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Wellness Benefits: Employee Assistance Program, fitness reimbursement
• Insurance: health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and supplemental life insurance
• Retirement: 401(k) and Roth options
• Professional Growth: tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED