Community Support Specialist

About the role

• Community Support Specialist
• Job Title: Community Support Specialist
• Location: Indianapolis, IN
• Department: ACT Department
• Employment Type: Full Time
• Shift: Day Shift

Job Summary

Are you passionate about helping individuals build independence, strengthen their communities, and improve their overall well-being? Do you enjoy empowering individuals and families through meaningful support and evidence-based mental health services? Join our team as a Community Support Specialist!

As a Community Support Specialist, you will provide community-based mental health services to children, adolescents, and/or adults by developing individualized treatment plans, implementing therapeutic interventions, and connecting clients with resources that support their unique needs and goals. Using a strengths-based, person-centered approach, you will help individuals build essential life skills, develop resilience, and establish strong support networks that promote long-term stability and independence.

Our ideal candidate has a background in Psychology, Social Work, Behavioral Health, or a related human services field, along with strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. The successful candidate is compassionate, self-motivated, and committed to helping individuals and families achieve meaningful progress.

We value diversity, belonging, and connection within our workforce. We welcome individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences who share our commitment to empowering communities and creating an inclusive, supportive environment.

Position Perks & Benefits

• 29 Days of PTO
• Eligibility for HRSA Loan Repayment (eligibility requirements apply)
• Employee benefits package, including health, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, and more
• Competitive 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan - up to 5% match for Part-Time and Full-Time employees
• Company-paid basic life insurance
• Emergency Medical Leave Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts - healthcare and dependent child-care
• Health & Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Discount Program
• Mileage Reimbursement

Key Responsibilities

• Provide community-based mental health services to children, adolescents, and/or adults, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and implementation of interventions, within the scope of the position and applicable credentials.
• Collaborate with clients, families, and other stakeholders to develop and implement individualized treatment plans that address each client's specific needs and goals.
• Utilize a strengths-based approach focused on empowerment, skill-building, and resilience.
• Incorporate evidence-based practices and interventions, including Motivational Interviewing, Positive Reinforcement Techniques, Trauma-Informed Strategies, and skills-based approaches informed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
• Provide behavioral interventions using techniques such as motivational interviewing, operant conditioning, interpersonal and group dynamics, cognitive processing, and other evidence-based approaches.
• Coordinate care with other service providers, including primary care physicians, psychiatrists, schools, and community organizations.
• Connect clients with appropriate community resources and support networks to promote independence and stability.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions, services provided, treatment activities, and progress in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Participate in staff development activities, training, and educational opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills related to mental health services.
• Contribute to organizational quality improvement initiatives, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Collaborate with case managers, therapists, and other support staff to ensure effective coordination of care and services.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with parents, teachers, counselors, and other individuals involved in the client's care.
• Prepare and facilitate Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) group sessions as appropriate to client treatment plan goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or deemed necessary by the department.

ACT/ACT TAY/IMPART-Specific Responsibilities

• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic elements of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the theory behind the ACT model.
• Understand the core processes followed by ACT teams and the types of services provided by ACT team members.

Education and/or Experience Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following educational or qualifying experience pathways:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or another specialized human services field of study; OR
• Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field and two (2) years of related work experience; OR
• Any four-year combination of higher education and two (2) years of related work experience; OR
• Associate of Applied Science degree in Behavioral Health Support; OR
• Four (4) years of qualifying experience.

Qualifying Experience

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

• Providing individual or group services with a rehabilitation, habilitation, recovery, or resiliency focus.
• Teaching and modeling strategies that help individuals cope with and manage psychiatric, developmental, or substance use-related challenges while encouraging the use of natural supports and community resources.
• Supporting individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment and/or functioning appropriately in family, school, and community settings.
• Assisting individuals in achieving the goals and objectives outlined in their individualized treatment plans.

Required License/Certification (one of the following)

• No specific professional license or certification identified in the source requirements.

Additional Qualifications

• Knowledge of case management and rehabilitation methods, principles, and techniques related to mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• Understanding of challenges experienced by individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders and the ability to identify and access appropriate community resources.
• Knowledge of treatment methods and modalities, as well as applicable legal requirements and court procedures related to mental health and substance use disorders.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate ideas and prepare accurate, concise reports.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Self-motivated with the ability to provide high-quality services while addressing complex client and family needs.
• Ability to multitask and coordinate services across multiple community resources while maintaining effective communication with staff regarding admissions, treatment processes, and discharge planning.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with youth and families through telephone and in-person communication.
• Willingness to follow direction, accept supervision, and incorporate feedback.
• Ability to work collaboratively while managing responsibilities independently.

Supervisory Requirements

• None.

Employment Requirements

• Successful completion of required background checks, including criminal history, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint checks.
• Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.
• Completion of all required training, including Relias training, at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.
• Current driver's license, acceptable driving record, and current automobile insurance.
• Completion of additional professional development training necessary to meet applicable Department of Mental Health (DMH) standards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations governing the assigned program.
• 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 transportation to transport clients in a personal vehicle, when required.

Physical Requirements

ADA Consideration - Sedentary Work. This position primarily involves sedentary work, requiring the exertion of up to ten (10) pounds of force occasionally (up to one-third of the workday) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (one-third to two-thirds of the workday) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. The position requires repetitive hand, finger, and arm movements for typing and/or writing throughout the work shift.

Sedentary work involves sitting for most of the workday, with occasional walking or standing for brief periods. Positions are considered sedentary when walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary work criteria are met.

Position Perks & Benefits

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package

• full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more
• Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive
• Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within
• Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Brightli is on a Mission

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

• We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
• Adult & Child Health is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.