Community Support Specialist - Youth

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

Benefits offered by this job

Paid clinical supervision for LCSW/LC

Loan forgiveness eligibility

401(k) and Roth retirement options

Tuition assistance and CE support

Generous time off

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

Heritage Behavioral Health Center in Decatur, IL is hiring a Community Support Specialist - Youth. This full-time, in-person role serves youth and families in home, school, and community settings, delivering case management, skill-building, advocacy, and linkage to resources.

You will work with caregivers, schools, and providers to promote stability, build strengths, and support natural supports. A relevant degree or equivalent experience is required, with options for growth toward licensure.

Qualifications

• Must meet Illinois Rule 132 criteria for Mental Health Professional (MHP).
• High school diploma or GED plus 5 years of qualifying experience or a bachelor’s degree in a human services field.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management and community support for youth and families.
• Conduct outreach to build trusting relationships with youth and caregivers.
• Help youth develop independent living, communication, social, and coping skills.
• Partner with families to identify needs and barriers to success.
• Connect families with resources like healthcare, education, transportation, housing, and financial assistance.
• Advocate for access to services and opportunities.
• Document accurately in the electronic health record.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Trauma-informed approach

Organization

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, education, or human services

Tools

EHR systems

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Community Support Specialist - Youth

Program Allocation Full Time Clin Professional 2965 N. Main St., Decatur, Decatur, IL, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1616

Salary Range: $23.00 To $23.00 Hourly

Now Hiring

Community Support Specialist - Youth

Youth and Family Support Services • Full-Time, Non-Exempt • In-Person, Community-Based

Location

Decatur, IL, with occasional travel throughout Macon, Piatt, and DeWitt Counties

Position Type

Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Work Setting

In-person; community-based

Schedule

Full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Every other Friday off (paid wellness day)

Pay

$23.00/hour – High school diploma or GED plus 5 years of qualifying experience

$25.00/hour – Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or psychology

About the Role

Are you passionate about helping young people and families thrive? Heritage is looking for a Community Support Specialist to join our Youth and Family Support Services team. In this role, you’ll meet youth and families where they are — at home, at school, and in the community — and help them build skills, overcome barriers, and connect to the resources they need to succeed.

You’ll provide case management, skill building, advocacy, and resource linkage to youth and families experiencing behavioral health challenges, working alongside caregivers, schools, treatment providers, and community partners to promote stability and strengthen natural supports.

What You’ll Do

• Provide case management and community support services for an assigned caseload of youth and families
• Conduct outreach and engagement to build trusting, supportive relationships with youth and caregivers
• Help youth develop independent living, communication, social, problem-solving, coping, self-regulation, and self-advocacy skills
• Partner with families to identify strengths, needs, goals, and barriers to success
• Connect families with resources such as healthcare, education, transportation, housing, financial assistance, and recreational opportunities
• Advocate for youth and families so they can access the services and opportunities they need
• Reinforce treatment goals and interventions identified by the treatment team
• Collaborate with schools, healthcare providers, and community partners
• Complete accurate, timely documentation in the electronic health record

What You Bring

Required

• Must meet Illinois Rule 132 criteria for Mental Health Professional (MHP), through either:
• A high school diploma or GED plus 5 years of qualifying experience, or
• A bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, education, or another human services field
• Minimum 21 years of age
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of current auto insurance

Preferred

• Experience working with youth in behavioral health, community mental health, education, or social service settings

Skills That Will Help You Succeed

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
• A family-driven, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach
• Knowledge of community resources serving youth and families
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Strong organization, problem-solving, and attention to detail
• Comfort with electronic health records, Microsoft Word, Excel, and email
• Ability to stay calm and follow safety procedures in urgent situations

What Success Looks Like

• Youth show growth in social, emotional, and behavioral skills at home, at school, and in the community
• Families feel engaged and make meaningful progress toward their goals
• Interventions are strengths-based and person-centered
• Documentation is accurate, complete, and on time

Working Conditions

• Regular travel to homes, schools, community agencies, and Heritage locations
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, drive, and use a computer for extended periods, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Some schedule flexibility to meet family availability

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At Heritage, our work is guided by System of Care principles — youth-guided, family-driven, community-based, culturally responsive, and strengths-based. You’ll join a collaborative team that values compassion, accountability, and making a real difference in the lives of families in our community.

• Every other Friday off as a paid wellness day:that’s 26 three-day weekends a year
• Paid clinical supervision,including supervision toward your LCSW or LCPC
• Loan forgiveness eligibilitythrough the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
• Competitive salaryaligned with state and national benchmarks
• Generous time off:vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Health, dental, and vision insurancewith substantial agency contributions
• 401(k) and Rothretirement options
• Tuition assistanceand continuing education support
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), fitness reimbursement, and additional life insurance
• A collaborative, mission-driven team where every role impacts client care

Heritage is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.