Community Support Specialist (Adult)

Brightli • Sedalia, MO

2d

About The Position

A Community Support Specialist helps individuals adapt to living in their communities by creating personalized plans that address their specific needs. The role uses evidence-based techniques and collaboration with other professionals to provide comprehensive mental health services, empowering clients and families to build foundations for long-term wellbeing and independence. Connecting clients with local resources and fostering support networks promotes growth, stability, and resilience.

The position provides community-based mental health services to children, adolescents, and/or adults, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention implementation. It collaborates with clients, families, and stakeholders to develop individualized plans, coordinates care with other service providers, maintains records, and works with team members to support effective care. The role also participates in staff development and quality improvement activities and may prepare and facilitate PSR group sessions as appropriate to client treatment goals.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience pathways: a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or another specialized human services field; a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field and two years of related work experience; any four-year combination of higher education and two years of related work experience; an Associate of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support; or four years of qualifying experience.
• Qualifying experience must include delivering services to individuals with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities, and include some combination of rehabilitation/habilitation and recovery/resiliency-focused individual or group services; teaching and modeling coping and management skills while encouraging natural resources; supporting employment or appropriate functioning in family, school, and community settings; or helping individuals achieve treatment plan goals.
• Knowledge of case management and rehabilitation methods, principles, and techniques related to mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of challenges encountered by people with mental health and/or substance use disorders and how to access community resources.
• Knowledge of methods and modalities, legal requirements, and court procedures related to treating mental health and substance use disorders.
• Ability to problem-solve and communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing, including producing clear, concise reports.
• Ability to work independently and maintain high-level performance while meeting complex client and family needs.
• Ability to multitask and coordinate services from community resources while maintaining communication with staff about admissions, processes, and discharge plans.
• Ability to establish effective relationships with youth and their families by telephone and in person.
• Ability to follow direction and accept supervision.
• Successfully complete background checks, including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint checks.
• Complete New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment and all required training, including Relias, at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.
• Hold a current driver's license, an acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance.
• Obtain trainings for professional development that meet DMH Standards.
• Have extensive knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations of the assigned program.
• Be at least 21 years old to operate a company-owned vehicle and at least 23 years old to operate a company-owned 15-passenger van.
• Have reliable transportation to transport clients in a personal vehicle.

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.
• Use a strengths-based approach emphasizing 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 related to youth mental health services.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Collaborate with case managers, therapists, and support staff to coordinate care and support for clients.
• Develop and maintain relationships with parents, teachers, counselors, and other professionals involved in client care.
• Perform other duties as assigned by a supervisor or deemed necessary by the department.
• Prepare for and facilitate PSR group sessions as pertinent to client treatment plan goals.
• For ACT/ACT TAY/IMPART assignments, understand the basic elements and theory of the ACT model, the core processes ACT teams follow, and the services ACT team members provide.

Benefits

• Paid time off package for full-time employees
• Health, dental, vision, retirement, life, and other employee benefits for full-time employees
• Initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive training
• Career mobility and advancement opportunities, including promotion from within
• A welcoming, warm, and supportive work culture that promotes wellbeing and encourages health and happiness

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level