At Thresholds, we believe in meeting people where they’re at – in their community, on their journey to recovery, and in their own language. Thresholds was the first in the nation to offer comprehensive and integrated mental health services to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Community Support Specialists (CSS) within Thresholds’ Deaf Program provide mental health and substance use treatment support where it makes the most impact.
The Thresholds Deaf Program is the first and only program of its kind in Illinois, offering comprehensive community-based services for persons with serious mental illnesses who are deaf or hard of hearing. Staffed by employees fluent in the use of American Sign Language (ASL) who understand the unique cultural needs of the Deaf community, the Thresholds Deaf Program provides a full range of specialized services.
Working as a Community Support Specialist is a unique learning opportunity. Through care planning, you will be an integral part of a client’s growth and recovery. You will remove barriers to mental healthcare through case management: connecting our clients with resources and helping them navigate complex systems. You will help clients strengthen daily living skills as you drive them to doctors’ appointments, to benefits offices, or to the grocery store. Each day will be a little bit different, requiring you to adapt to your client’s schedule, needs, and treatment plan.
The culture at Thresholds is collaborative and supportive, providing you with the tools and resources you need for the best client care. Opportunities for training and professional development, including clinical supervision, will deepen your knowledge and expand your clinical skills in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and other evidence-based practices. This invaluable experience will set you up for a variety of career paths and growth opportunities within our organization.
To succeed in this role, you need:
- Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL)
- Passion for mental health advocacy and Deaf community
- Effective communication and relationship-building skills
- Good writing skills
- Strong time management and organization
- To be at least 21 years old
- A valid driver’s license, current car insurance, and daily access to your own car
- Willingness to provide transportation to clients
- Shift: Monday-Friday 3:00pm - 11:30pm
Many education and experience paths are eligible for this role:
- High school diploma or GED certificate
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field preferred
What sets Thresholds apart:
- Competitive pay - Base Rate: $21.75- $25.87 per hour / $45,240.00 - $53,800.00 annually
- Commensurate with education and experience
- Generous PTO (9 federal holidays, 8 days of sick leave, 15-22 days personal and vacation)
- Dental insurance, vision insurance, choice of 4 medical insurance plans
- 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
- Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
- Mileage reimbursement
- Cell phone reimbursement (up to $50/month)
- Public service loan forgiveness
- Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
- Reimbursement for professional licensure and license renewal
Thresholds is a mission-driven agency with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We foster an environment where all feel valued and respected, a place where every employee can be themselves, thrive, and support the agency’s mission. Click here to learn more.
One of the oldest and largest community mental health organizations in Illinois, we pride ourselves in being a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and one of Chicago’s 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For, several years in a row.
Video Transcription: Do you have an interest in helping people who are experiencing mental illness? Thresholds’ Deaf Program is the first and only program in Illinois to provide comprehensive mental health support to people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Join us!
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Top Skills
What We Do
Established in 1959, Thresholds provides healthcare, housing, and hope for thousands of persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois each year. Through care, employment, advocacy, and housing, Thresholds assists and inspires people with mental illnesses to reclaim their lives. Thresholds is one of the oldest and largest providers of recovery services for persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. We offer 30 innovative programs at more than 75 locations throughout Chicago, the adjacent suburbs, and four surrounding counties. Services include assertive outreach, case management, housing, employment, education, psychiatry, primary care, substance use treatment, and research. Thresholds’ staff meets people where they are – out in the community. Offering services in a community-based setting makes them more accessible and effective and lessens the social exclusion that is often present in the lives of persons living with mental illnesses and substance use conditions. This allows our staff and clients to work on skills, clinical interventions, and recovery that allows them to live independent lives in their own neighborhoods Our clients are all unique – coming from vastly different backgrounds and arriving with different needs, talents, and hopes. Each client works with our staff to set their own specific short-term goals and objectives, based on their needs, desires, and level of self-sufficiency. Recovery from mental illnesses and substance use is possible. Recovery is a process of finding and living a satisfying and meaningful life, as one defines it for oneself. We assist our clients as they work to reclaim a positive sense of self, and discover their own potential, gifts, and skills.
Why Work With Us
Thresholds employees are real-life super-heroes. Each staff member contributes to providing life-saving mental health services with heart and an unparalleled focus on recovery through innovative, evidence-based practices.
