Community Support Specialist

Job Description:

Job Title: Community Support Specialist

Location: Kansas City, MO

Department: Recovery Services

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary:
Join our compassionate and collaborative team as a Community Support Specialist, where you will make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families. In this role, you will empower clients to build strong foundations for long-term wellbeing and independence through personalized support. You will utilize evidence-based techniques and work closely with other professionals to provide comprehensive mental health services. We are looking for individuals who are self-motivated, skilled in problem-solving, and passionate about helping others thrive in their communities.

As a Community Support Specialist, you will help individuals adapt to living in their communities by creating personalized plans that address their specific needs. Your goal will be to connect clients with local resources and foster a robust support network, promoting growth, stability, and resilience.

This position offers…

• Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost
• Mileage Reimbursement – Company paid for work functions requiring travel
• Employee Discounts – Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition
• Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce
• Additional Perks & Benefits - Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more

Key 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 that address the client's specific needs and goals.
• Utilize a strengths-based approach that emphasizes 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.
• 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, to enhance knowledge and skills related to youth mental health services.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the team, including case managers, therapists, and support staff, to ensure effective coordination of care and support for clients.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including parents, teachers, counselors, and other professionals involved in the client's care.
• Prepare for and facilitate PSR group sessions as pertinent to client treatment plan goals.

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or other human services specialized field of study; or
• Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and two years of related work experience; or
• Any four-year combination of higher education and two years of related work experience; or
• Associate’s of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support will also fulfill educational requirements; or
• Four years of qualifying experience in delivering services to individuals with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities.

Additional Qualifications:

• High school diploma with at least one year of experience in social services is required.
• A mental health professional as defined in the IL Administrative Code Part 132 Section 132.25 is strongly preferred.
• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age to operate a company-owned vehicle.
• Must have reliable means of transportation in order to transport clients in a personal vehicle.

Physical Requirements:

• ADA Consideration - Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Sedentary work involves sittin