Community Support Specialist - Youth

Compass Health Network•Festus, MO

About The Position

The Community Support Specialist – Youth provides personalized, strengths-based support to young people and their families in their homes and community settings. The role helps youth and caregivers build resilience, navigate challenges, and make progress toward wellness goals. The position is full-time, benefit eligible, and scheduled for 40 hours per week, including evening hours. The schedule may flex around client needs, and some evening and weekend work is required. The specialist provides coaching, skill-building, family engagement support, crisis assistance, and connections to community resources. The role involves collaboration with schools, healthcare providers, and other child-serving systems, as well as communication with the client’s integrated care team. Services must be documented accurately and promptly in accordance with agency guidelines. Community travel to meet clients and families in their homes is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must qualify under at least one of the listed CSS qualification options: be a qualified addiction professional; hold a bachelor’s degree in a human services field from a college or university included in the U.S. Department of Education’s database of accredited schools; have any four-year degree or a combination of higher education and qualifying experience; have four years of qualifying experience; or hold an Associate of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support degree as designated by the department.
Qualifying experience must include delivering services to individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities.
Valid driver’s license and agency-established minimum automobile coverage required.
Compassion, patience, and energy in interactions.
Comfort working in the field and meeting families in their homes or community settings.
Ability to balance teamwork with independent work.
Clear communication and ability to build trust with clients, families, and professional partners.
Adaptability, a solution-focused approach, and motivation to make a difference.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a human service-related field preferred.
Experience in the human services field; applicants who are new to the field are also welcome.

Responsibilities

Deliver strengths-based, holistic services to youth and families based on individualized Wellness Plans.
Support family engagement and participation in the treatment process.
Provide coaching, skill-building, and access to community resources.
Collaborate with school staff, healthcare providers, and other child-serving systems.
Offer crisis support when needed and assist in developing safety plans.
Communicate regularly with the client’s integrated care team.
Document services accurately and timely in accordance with agency guidelines.
Travel within the community to meet with clients and families in their homes.
Flex the schedule based on client needs, including some evenings and weekends.