Community Support Specialist, Crisis Unit

About the role

The Community Support Specialist in the CSU provides case management, skill-building, and coordination of care for individuals experiencing acute behavioral health crises who require short-term stabilization.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management, community support services, and manage a caseload of individuals.
• Engage clients via phone and face-to-face, primarily in community settings.
• Complete comprehensive needs assessments spanning mental health, substance use, medical, dental, vision, benefits, housing, education, employment, and transportation.
• Aid individuals in applying for and maintaining resources (Medicaid, SNAP, SSI/SSDI).
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation.
• Teach coping skills to manage mental health, substance use, and health-related symptoms.
• Support independent living skills (meal prep, budgeting, housekeeping, time management).
• Provide coaching in communication, personal care, and problem-solving.
• Connect individuals with social, wellness, and community-based supports.
• Assist with securing and maintaining stable housing.
• Provide medication monitoring and training (self-administration, side effects, reporting).
• Coordinate referrals to primary care, specialty care, mental health, dental, and substance use services.
• Advocate for clients' housing, benefits, and treatment needs.
• Assist with accessing transportation and improving transportation independence.
• Participate in interdisciplinary teamwork with clinicians, nurses, healthcare providers, probation, DCFS, and other partners.
• Attend clinical staffings to coordinate care.
• Support crisis prevention, early intervention, and ongoing follow-up.
• Conduct assessments and assist with individualized stabilization and discharge plans.
• Ensure timely linkage to needed services post-discharge.
• Provide education to individuals and families about treatment options and community resources.
• Collaborate with hospitals, crisis responders, and residential programs to support smooth transitions of care.
• Maintain a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered environment.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED + 5 years supervised mental health or social service experience
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in social work, psychology, education, or human services
• Minimum 21 years of age
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance

Qualifications

• Ability to engage individuals in crisis and build rapport quickly
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Competency with electronic health records and documentation tools
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills

Skills

• Knowledge of behavioral health diagnoses and DSM-5 basics
• Crisis intervention, stabilization, and recovery-oriented care
• Case management, discharge planning, and care coordination
• Community resources: psychiatric, substance use, housing, social services
• Mental health and substance use system navigation

Benefits

• Generous vacation, sick, personal leave, and paid holidays
• Health club/fitness reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities
• Agency-provided life insurance and short-term disability
• Optional health, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance
• Retirement plan (401k and Roth options)
• Eligibility for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness / NHSC