Mental Health Support Specialist

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.•Central Islip, NY

95d•$22 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Support Specialist (CSS) provides training in independent living skills, including helping individuals become responsible tenants and maintain psychiatric stability. The CSS assists the Program Supervisor in implementing agency policies and procedures. The role supports people with mental illness and other needs in reaching personal goals, living successfully in the community, and accessing coordinated services. It includes tenancy support in specified supportive housing programs and requires in-person work and travel.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least one full year of experience in Human Services or a related field.
Proficient computer skills.
Proficient writing skills, including basic grammar and spelling.
Ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keep others informed, and anticipate needs.
Efficiency, strong organizational skills, and excellent communication skills.
Valid New York State driver's license and ability to satisfy FREE's criteria to be a driver.
Ability to travel and, in specified supported housing programs, use personal transportation to provide services.
Ability to sit, walk, and stand for prolonged periods of at least eight hours; communicate verbally and in writing; operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or stand on a stool as needed; and lift 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals diagnosed with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders.

Responsibilities

Help people supported identify and realize their personal life goals.
Ensure fire safety equipment is working and teach individuals how to use it.
Teach individuals whom to contact in emergencies, including medical, psychiatric, fire, and food-related emergencies.
Help individuals use community and neighborhood services.
Serve as a liaison among individuals, landlords, and treatment team members.
Teach independent living skills, including apartment maintenance, socialization, budgeting, self-medication, personal care, travel, shopping, cooking, and returning to school or work.
Develop Individualized Support Plans with individuals and treatment teams, and encourage follow-through on goals related to housing stability, medication management, employment and vocational training, mental health treatment, substance-use assessments and referrals, and community-based services.
Support psychiatric stability through counseling, crisis intervention, daytime activities, treatment participation, and other available resources.
Coordinate psychiatric and physical services with Health Home.
Assist individuals with mandated treatment and legal requirements, including AOT orders and parole or probation conditions.
Provide community integration skill-building, including community resource coordination, treatment planning, and rehabilitative independent living skills training for people transitioning into housing.
Provide stabilization services, including tenancy support planning, rehabilitative independent living skills training, community resource coordination, and crisis planning and intervention to help individuals remain housed.
Complete and process required paper and electronic documentation accurately, promptly, and in accordance with quality and compliance standards.
Communicate respectfully; protect confidential information; meet safety training and policy requirements; participate in required events and meetings, including those outside standard working hours; and comply with job requirements, ethical standards, laws, and regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned.