The Community Support Specialist / Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) provides direct service to veterans and their families to address housing crises, connect to VA benefits, link to community resources, and help transition families to self-sufficiency. SSVF provides housing-focused case management, outreach, benefits navigation, and temporary financial assistance.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develops and reviews members’ care plans by identifying goals, objectives, and specific mental health services needed.
- Develops individualized Housing Stability Plans, including SMART goals.
- Assist with housing outreach, conduct housing inspections, and rent negotiations with landlords.
- Administer rental, utility, and other stabilizing assistance as allowable under SSVF guidelines.
- Teaches members independent and community living skills, such as housekeeping, meal preparation, coping skills, etc.
- Provides support to members with collateral social service agencies and community partners, including shelters and VA hospitals.
- Plan and facilitate various activity groups.
- Documents services provided in an Electronic Health Record in a timely manner.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
- Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and have.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
- High school diploma or GED certificate with 5 years of supervised job-related experience in the field of social services OR Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field
- Housing experience such as working with CHA and Private Landlords preferred.
REQUIREMENTS
- Daily access to a personal vehicle
- Valid driver’s license.
- Military experience preferred.
- Willingness to provide transportation for members of the program.
- Must obtain and maintain liability car insurance of:
- $100,000 per person bodily injury.
- $300,000 per accident.
- $100,000 property damage.
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Competitive Pay - Base Rate: $21.75 - $25.87 hourly / $45,240 - $53,800 annually
- Generous Paid Time Office Policy (Vacation, Sick, and Personal Days)
- 4 Medical Insurance Plans
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 403(b) with 3% employer match
- Mileage Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Supervision for Clinical Licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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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.
