Recovery & Engagement Specialist - SASS

Kenneth Young Center•Schaumburg, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Screening Assessment and Support Services (SASS) works with individuals, families, and community-based systems to provide services including crisis assessment and treatment planning at the time of the assessment. Clients served are predominately ages 6-24 but can range from age 3 through the lifespan. Recovery and Engagement Specialists should have their CRSS or CPRS certification or be eligible within 1 year of hire. In this role, an Engagement Specialist uses their own lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges, combined with training, to mentor, support, and advocate for others in recovery, helping the client build skills, set goals, find resources, and connect with community to foster hope, empowerment, and successful recovery. They act as role models, bridge gaps with clinical teams, and help individuals navigate systems, focusing on strengths and building recovery capital like housing, employment, and relationships.

Requirements

Minimum of high school GED; Bachelor’s degree preferred from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology or a related discipline.
A Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification or ability to complete course work and able to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
Basic computer proficiency, knowledge of Word and Internet skills.
Applicant must have a valid IL Driver’s License, valid auto insurance, and access to a well maintained/insured vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.
1-2 years of experience working with individuals recovering from serious and persistent mental illness providing case management and community support.
One to three years experience working with children and adolescents preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide a full range of safety screening and support services to clients and their families in crisis.
Provide supportive peer counseling utilizing personal lived experience to establish a warm and empathic connection with clients and as needed, their families/significant others.
In-person crisis screenings completed in a two-person team to assess current needs and determine level of risk.
Promote opportunities for clients to develop a personal safety plan to community stabilize a client without the use of hospitalization, if hospitalization is not warranted.
Coordinate with Supervisor on Call for any escalated situation that may require hospitalization or EMS response.
Provide short-term case management services to reduce likelihood of future crisis.
Linkage with established care providers.
Linkage to community resources.
Support to help a client bridge access to services.
Participate as a responsible crisis team member to maintain continuous on-call coverage (24/7) and to accomplish other team tasks, goals and responsibilities.
Provide short-term follow-up that reflects the SASS program demands.
Provide timely and accurate evaluation of incoming crisis calls with appropriate dispositions utilizing available QMHP.
Determine the need for additional services based on the screening and facilitate linkage.
Participate in consultation, as needed, with other KYC programs and outside agencies, including professionals, PD, EMS or with paid agency consultants.
Interpret and communicate, at the service delivery level, Kenneth Young Center policies and procedures.
Meet agency quality and compliance standards by accurately completing documentation and service reporting in a timely manner.
Participate in program evaluation and development of service options that best address client needs.
Participate in Department, Team, and other agency meetings and training as directed by supervisor.
Work cooperatively with other Kenneth Young Center teams and programs to maintain smooth continuity of care when cases are shared across teams.
Become familiar with and utilize outside resources as needed to provide comprehensive services to clients.
Participate in supervision and regular performance evaluations as directed.