Community Support Specialist- ITCD Team

Job Title: Community Support Specialist 

Location: Columbia, MO 

Department: Adult Community Services 

Employment Type: Full-time 

Job Summary: 
As the Community Support Specialist, you will be responsible for helping individuals adapt to living in their communities by creating personalized plans that address their specific needs. This role involves using evidence-based techniques and collaborating with other professionals to provide comprehensive mental health services. Your goal is to empower clients and their families to build strong foundations for long-term well-being and independence. By connecting them with local resources and fostering a robust support network, you will promote growth, stability, and resilience. 

The Community Support Specialist position offers... 

• Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost 

• 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 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, to enhance knowledge and skills related to youth mental health services. 

• Contribute to the organization's quality improvement initiatives, including data collection, analysis, and reporting. 

• Work collaboratively with other team members, 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. 

• Perform other duties as assigned by 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 Only: Knowledge of the basic elements of ACT, the theory behind the ACT model, the core processes that ACT teams follow, and the types of services that ACT team members provide. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of case management and rehabilitation methods, principles, and techniques as they relate to mental health and/or substance use disorders. 

• Knowledge of the problems encountered by persons with mental health and/or substance use disorders and how to access the various community resources available. 

• Knowledge of methods and modalities as well as legal requirements and court procedures related to treating mental health and substance use disorders. 

• Ability to problem-solve and communicate ideas clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing to produce clear and concise reports. 

• Ability to be self-motivated to provide high-level performance while meeting the complex needs of clients and their families. 

• Ability to multi-task and coordinate services from various community resources while maintaining proper communication with all staff (e.g. admissions, processes, and discharge plans). 

• Ability to establish effective relationships with youth and their families via telephone and personal contacts. 

• Ability to follow direction and accept supervision. 

Experience, Education, and/or Credential Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or another specialized human services field; OR 

• Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field with two years of related work experience; OR 

• A four-year combination of higher education and two years of related work experience; OR 

• An Associate’s of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support will also fulfill educational requirements; OR 

• An individual with four years of qualifying experience*. 

*Qualifying experience must include delivery of services to individuals with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities. Experience must include some combination of the following: 

• Providing one-on-one or group services with a rehabilitation/habilitation and recovery/resiliency focus. 

• Teaching and modeling for individuals how to cope and manage psychiatric, developmental, or substance use disorder issues while encouraging the use of natural resources. 

• Supporting individuals in their efforts to find and maintain employment and/or to function appropriately in family, school, and community settings. 

• Assisting individuals to achieve the goals and objectives in their individual treatment plan. 

Employment Requirements: 

• Successful completion of background check, including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint check. 

• Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment. 

• All training requirements including Relias at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter. 

• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance. 

• Obtain training to assist in professional development meeting DMH standards. 

• Extensive knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations of the program to which the employee is assigned. 

• You must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age to operate a company-owned vehicle. 

• Must be at least twenty-three (23) years of age to operate a company-owned fifteen (15) passenger van. 

• Must have reliable means of transportation to transport clients in a personal vehicle.