Community Support Specialist, ACT

Heritage Behavioral Health Center- HBHC; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Every other Friday off

NHSC loan forgiveness

Generous paid time off

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring a Community Support Specialist for the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team in Decatur, IL. The role delivers intensive community-based mental health services to adults with serious mental illness across homes, shelters, and community settings.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team to support stability, life skills, and recovery goals while engaging clients in person and by phone, documenting progress promptly.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive, community-based mental health services to adults with serious mental illness.
• Work with a multidisciplinary ACT team to plan and deliver care.
• Engage clients in community settings, document progress, and support recovery goals.
• Assist with crisis prevention, housing, benefits, and coordinating referrals.

Skills

Trauma-informed approach

Interpersonal skills

Rapport building

Independent work / team collaboration

Education

HS Diploma or GED + 5 years MH/social service

Bachelor’s in social work, psychology, education, or human services (preferred)

Tools

Electronic health records

Job description

Community Support Specialist – Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

• High School or GED + 5 years’ experience: $23.00/hour + every other Friday paid off
• Bachelor’s Degree: $25.00/hour + every other Friday paid off
• Salary is based on education, experience, and licensure or certification.

Schedule: Full-Time | Every other Friday off (paid wellness day) | Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm

Looking for a career where your work truly matters? Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring passionate professionals to join our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team!

About Heritage Behavioral Health Center

Heritage Behavioral Health Center is a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) located in Decatur, Illinois, serving individuals throughout Macon County and surrounding areas. As part of our CCBHC model, we deliver comprehensive, integrated, and person-centered mental health services designed to promote recovery, independence, and long-term stability.

Our ACT team provides one of the highest levels of community-based care available, supporting individuals with serious mental illness through an intensive, multidisciplinary approach.

Every member of our team contributes to the wellness of our community—and we take pride in supporting our staff every step of the way.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Mission-driven, collaborative work environment
• Every other Friday off – paid wellness days
• Competitive salaries aligned with state and national benchmarks
• Loan forgiveness eligibility through NHSC

Your Role: Community Support Specialist – ACT

As a Community Support Specialist on the Assertive Community Treatment team, you will provide intensive, community-based mental health services to adults living with serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders. ACT services are delivered where individuals live, work, and socialize—with most contacts occurring outside the office.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team (nursing, therapy, psychiatry, substance use specialists, and peer support), you will play a vital role in helping individuals maintain stability, avoid hospitalization, build life skills, and work toward recovery goals.

This is a dynamic, relationship-centered position ideal for those who enjoy being in the community, thinking creatively, and supporting individuals through real-world situations.

Core Responsibilities Include

ACT-Specific Service Delivery

• Provide high-frequency, community-based services as part of a multidisciplinary ACT team.
• Participate in team-based decision-making, daily team meetings, and collaborative service planning.
• Assist with crisis prevention and early intervention to reduce hospitalization and emergency service use.
• Offer flexible, person-centered support in natural environments such as homes, shelters, and community settings.

Client Support & Case Management

• Deliver case management, community support, and manage an individual caseload using ACT principles of shared caseloads and team coverage.
• Engage clients by phone and in-person, with most contacts occurring in community settings.
• Complete comprehensive assessments that identify needs across mental health, substance use, health, dental, vision, benefits, housing, education, employment, and transportation.
• Assist clients with accessing, applying for, and maintaining public benefits including Medicaid, SNAP, and SSI/SSDI.
• Document all services and client progress promptly and accurately.
• Perform other duties as assigned or negotiated with the supervisor.

Skill Building & Recovery Support

• Teach coping skills for managing mental health, substance use, and health-related symptoms.
• Support clients in building daily living skills such as meal prep, housekeeping, budgeting, and time management.
• Provide life skills coaching including communication, personal care, problem solving, and social skills.
• Assist clients in engaging in meaningful, supportive activities including wellness programs, support groups, and reconnecting with natural supports.

Healthcare, Housing, and Benefits Coordination

• Assist individuals in obtaining and maintaining safe, stable housing, including landlord communication and housing retention strategies.
• Provide medication monitoring and education to support adherence and understanding of side effects.
• Actively coordinate referrals to primary care, specialty care, dental, vision, psychiatric care, substance use treatment, and other health services.
• Advocate for clients needing housing accommodations, benefits access, and treatment supports.

Community-Based Engagement & Collaboration

• Assist individuals with accessing transportation or increasing transportation independence.
• Collaborate with clinicians, nurses, prescribers, probation, DCFS, medical professionals, and other partners.
• Attend staffings and treatment team meetings to support coordinated care.
• Provide ongoing follow-up, engagement, and support to maintain client stability and progress toward goals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Experience working with individuals with mental health and/or substance use concerns.
• Knowledge of community resources, benefits systems, and referral pathways.
• Understanding of case management principles and person-centered care.
• Awareness of healthcare systems, psychiatric care, substance use treatment, and related services.

Skills

• Ability to engage individuals using a non-judgmental, trauma-informed, person-centered approach.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and rapport-building skills.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing to a highly collaborative team.
• Competency with electronic health records and documentation systems.

Abilities

• Ability to adapt to changing needs, crises, and dynamic community environments.
• Ability to collaborate with supervisors, team members, and clinical partners.
• Ability to respond quickly and professionally to client and team needs.

Qualifications

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

Heritage Also Offers

• Generous Time Off: vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Wellness Benefits: every other Friday paid off, Employee Assistance Program, fitness reimbursement
• Retirement: 401(k) and Roth options
• Professional Development: tuition assistance, training, continuing education
• Loan Forgiveness: eligible through National Health Service Corps (NHSC)