Community Support Specialist

Wellroot Family Services; Gainesville (GA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization is seeking a Community Support Specialist to provide behavioral health services to children and families in Georgia. Responsibilities include skills training and community intervention, with requirements for a degree in social work or a related field, experience with youth, and effective communication skills. The role involves significant local travel and flexible hours. Candidates should possess a valid driver's license and may benefit from bilingual abilities.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, adolescents, or families preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work independently in community settings.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required for community-based services.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent behavioral health principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide skills training and rehabilitation interventions.
• Assist youth in developing daily living skills.
• Monitor and report progress toward treatment goals.
• Support caregivers with reinforcement of behavioral strategies.
• Collaborate with schools, therapists, and case managers for integrated care.
• Maintain timely service documentation and track outcomes.
• Engage families and facilitate linkage to community resources.

Skills

Knowledge of child and adolescent behavioral health principles

Ability to implement skill-building and behavioral interventions

Strong family engagement skills

Effective documentation skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field

Associate degree/high school diploma with required experience

Job description

Job Summary

The Community Support Specialist (CSS) provides community-based behavioral health rehabilitation and support services to children, adolescents, and their families enrolled in CORE Tier 2 services. Services focus on restoring, developing, and maintaining functional, social, family, and independent living skills necessary for successful functioning in home, school, and community environments in accordance with Georgia DBHDD Community Support service definitions.

Duties And Responsibilities

Direct Service Delivery (DBHDD Billable Activities)

• Provide skills training and rehabilitation interventions to improve emotional regulation, coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal functioning.
• Assist youth in developing daily living and independent functioning skills, including organization, hygiene routines, school readiness, and time management.
• Provide behavioral coaching and modeling to support implementation of treatment plan goals.
• Support caregiver skill development, including reinforcement of behavioral strategies and environmental structuring.
• Assist youth in building pro‑social skills, peer interaction skills, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Provide community‑based interventions that help youth generalize therapeutic skills across home, school, and community settings.
• Support school collaboration, including skill reinforcement related to attendance, classroom behavior, and academic engagement (non‑educational instruction).
• Facilitate linkage to natural supports and community resources to strengthen long‑term stability.
• Monitor and report progress toward treatment plan goals, including engagement and functional improvements.

Care Coordination and Documentation

• Participate in treatment team meetings and collaborate with therapists, case managers, and caregivers to support integrated care.
• Maintain timely and accurate service documentation in accordance with DBHDD, Medicaid, and agency standards.
• Track service outcomes and engagement metrics to support program performance monitoring.
• Communicate clinically relevant observations to supervising clinicians for treatment planning updates.

Program Support

• Assist in engagement and retention strategies for enrolled youth and families.
• Support crisis prevention strategies through proactive skill reinforcement and environmental support planning.
• Maintain professional relationships with schools, caregivers, and community partners.

Qualifications

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, or related field OR
• Associate degree/high school diploma with required behavioral health experience per DBHDD Community Support standards
• Experience working with children, adolescents, or families preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for community‑based services

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of child and adolescent behavioral health principles
• Ability to implement skill‑building and behavioral interventions
• Strong family engagement and culturally responsive service delivery skills
• Effective documentation and electronic health record proficiency
• Ability to work independently in community settings while maintaining clinical communication

Performance Expectations

• Meet productivity and documentation timeliness standards
• Maintain compliance with DBHDD CORE service requirements
• Demonstrate positive engagement and retention outcomes for youth served
• Participate in required supervision, trainings, and fidelity monitoring

Work Environment

• Position located in Tucker, GA office with services delivered in home, school, clinic, and community settings
• Local travel required (minimum of 75% of the work week)
• Flexible scheduling may include afternoon or evening hours to meet family needs
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds

I acknowledge that I have received, read, and understand this job description, and I agree to perform my duties in accordance with the responsibilities and expectations outlined herein.