Community Support Specialist, Justice Involve
About The Position
This position provides intensive, recovery-oriented, community-based outreach and rehabilitation services for adults with mental health and/or co-occurring disorders who have recurring involvement with the criminal justice system. The primary goals are to: Engage individuals in treatment Reduce avoidable law enforcement and emergency contacts Support stability and reintegration into the community Prevent repeated arrest, detention, or crisis service use The Community Support Specialist works closely with the Decatur Police Department and other justice system partners to identify individuals at risk of recurring justice involvement due to unmet behavioral health needs. Services are delivered in community settings—homes, shelters, encampments, hospitals, and police-involved contacts—with a focus on proactive outreach, early intervention, and relationship-based engagement. This role also incorporates Contingency Management, using structured positive reinforcement to enhance motivation and support treatment engagement and recovery milestones. As a Community Support Specialist, you will provide community-based case management, skill-building, and recovery support to adults impacted by the justice system. You will engage individuals who may have low motivation for treatment, inconsistent service utilization, or complex behavioral health needs, and support them in stabilizing and remaining safely in the community.
Requirements
- 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
- Understanding of mental health and substance use disorders
- Knowledge of community resources and service systems
- Case management principles and recovery-oriented care
- Awareness of healthcare, psychiatric, substance use, and social service systems
- Familiarity with DSM-5 and behavioral health terminology
- Ability to build rapport quickly—especially with individuals in crisis or distrustful of systems
- Strong communication, engagement, and motivational skills
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Competency with electronic health records and documentation
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and crisis navigation skills
- Adapt to ambiguity, crisis situations, and rapidly changing community needs
- Collaborate effectively with justice partners and clinical supervisors
- Respond professionally and promptly to client and team needs
- Engage clients using a non-judgmental, trauma-informed, person-centered approach
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree preferred in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or human services
Responsibilities
- Provide community-based case management and outreach to individuals with recurring justice involvement.
- Collaborate daily with the Decatur Police Department and other justice partners to co-respond, conduct follow-ups, and engage individuals referred for behavioral health concerns.
- Support reintegration efforts for individuals returning to the community after arrest, detention, or hospitalization.
- Promote alternatives to incarceration and advocate for diversion opportunities where appropriate.
- Implement structured Contingency Management strategies to reinforce treatment adherence, attendance, sobriety milestones, and other recovery-focused behaviors.
- Support individuals in sustaining progress through consistent positive reinforcement.
- Conduct comprehensive needs assessments and develop individualized recovery plans.
- Assist with symptom management, treatment engagement, and development of coping strategies.
- Help clients access and maintain public benefits (Medicaid, SNAP, SSI/SSDI).
- Support ongoing engagement post-crisis or post-police contact to reduce recidivism.
- Provide coaching in daily living skills (housing retention, routines, budgeting, wellness practices).
- Teach and reinforce coping skills to manage mental health, substance use, and stressors.
- Support development of positive social supports and natural community connections.
- Provide medication monitoring and education.
- Link individuals to behavioral health services, primary and specialty medical care, housing supports, and community resources.
- Participate in collaborative case staffing with justice partners, healthcare providers, and Heritage teams.
- Assist individuals with transportation coordination and improving transportation independence.
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the electronic health record.
- Collaborate with police, probation, courts, crisis teams, shelters, and hospital staff to ensure coordinated care.
- Uphold trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered practices at all times.
Benefits
- Every other Friday off – paid wellness days
- Competitive salaries aligned with state and national benchmarks
- Loan forgiveness eligibility through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
- Generous vacation, sick, personal leave, and paid holidays
- Every other Friday off (paid wellness day)
- Fitness reimbursement & Employee Assistance Program
- Optional health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and supplemental life insurance
- Agency-provided life insurance and short-term disability
- Retirement options: 401(k) and Roth
- Tuition assistance & continuing education opportunities
- Loan forgiveness eligibility through NHSC
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
Number of Employees
101-250 employees
