Intensive Support Coordinator

Evolving Solution Services; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

HOPEAtlanta seeks an Intensive Support Coordinator (CPS or CARES) to support individuals facing mental health and/or substance use challenges within PSH. You will work with Behavioral Health clinicians to help clients achieve housing stability and recovery goals.

You will mentor clients, facilitate recovery groups, and assist with case management and resource navigation, using trauma-informed, client-centered approaches.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Certification as CPS or CARES per DBHDD is required.
• Lived experience with housing instability or behavioral health recovery preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one peer support and mentorship to clients focusing on recovery and housing stability.
• Share lived experiences to inspire hope and recovery.
• Facilitate peer-led groups on recovery, wellness, life skills, and housing stability.
• Assist with navigating community resources, healthcare, and housing services.
• Advocate for clients in treatment planning meetings and rights education.
• Coordinate with on-site clinicians to ensure timely referrals and service access.
• Assist in needs assessments and documentation for housing and benefits.

Skills

Peer support

Advocacy

Case management

Trauma-informed care

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic documentation systems

EHR systems

HMIS/Client Track

Job description

Reports to:Behavioral Health Clinical Director

Summary:

The Intensive Support Coordinator is a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) or Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES) who will provide peer support, advocacy, and mentoring to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges within the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program. In addition to peer support, the CPS/CARES will assist with case management tasks to ensure that clients receive comprehensive care. The CPS/CARES will work closely with the Behavioral Health Clinician to help clients achieve housing stability and recovery goals.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provideone-on-onepeersupportandmentorshiptoclients,helpingthemsetrecovery and housing stability goals.
• Sharelivedexperienceswithmentalhealthand/orsubstanceuserecoverytoinspirehope and demonstrate the possibilities of recovery.
• Facilitatepeer-ledgroups focusedonrecovery,wellness,lifeskills,andhousingstability.
• Offersupportinnavigatingcommunityresources, healthcare,andhousing services.

Advocacy & Empowerment

• Empowerclientstoadvocateforthemselvesinserviceandtreatmentplanningmeetings.
• Assistclientsinunderstandingandexercisingtheirrightswithinhousingandbehavioral health services.
• Accompanyclientstoappointmentsormeetingsasneeded,offeringsupportandhelping them navigate challenging situations.
• Actasaliaisonbetweenclientsandtheon-sitecliniciantoensureclients’voicesare heard.

Recovery & Wellness Planning

• Assist clients in developing and implementing personal recovery plans that align with their behavioral health and housing stability goals.
• Promotewellnesspractices,includingrelapsepreventionstrategies,self-care,andcoping mechanisms, tailored to individual needs.
• Workcollaborativelywiththeon-sitecliniciantoprovideinputontreatmentplansbased on peer experience and client needs.

Case Management Support

• Assisttheon-siteclinicianinconductingneedsassessmentstoidentifygapsinservices and areas where additional support is required.
• Helpclientsconnecttocommunityresources,includinghealthcare,benefitsprograms, job training, and other supportive services.
• Coordinatewiththeon-sitecliniciantofollowuponservicereferralsandensurethat clients receive timely access to needed resources.
• Supportclientsincompletingnecessarypaperworkforhousing,benefits,orhealth services, providing guidance and encouragement through the process.
• Workwiththeon-sitecliniciantoensurethatclientsadheretohousingagreementsand are connected to appropriate support services to maintain housing stability.

Crisis Support & Intervention

• Provideemotionalsupportduringcrises,helpingclientsstabilizeandconnectto immediate services as needed.
• Collaboratewiththeon-siteclinicianduringcrisissituations,ensuringthatclientsreceive appropriate interventions.
• Assistinde-escalatingsituationsandofferingpeer-levelproblem-solvingapproaches.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of peer support activities, recovery planning,casemanagementtasks,andclientinteractions,inaccordancewithagency standards.
• Ensurecompliancewithallapplicablepeersupportcertificationguidelinesandethical standards.

Professional Development

• Participateinongoingtrainingtostaycurrentwithpeersupportbestpractices,trauma- informed care, case management, and housing-first principles.
• Engageinregularsupervisionwiththeon-siteclinicianand/orClinicalDirectorto discuss client progress, challenges, and professional growth.

Qualifications:

• Highschooldiplomaorequivalentrequired,bachelor’sdegreepreferred.
• Certification as a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS)through the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) or as a Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES)is required.
• Livedexperiencewithhousinginstability,mentalhealthrecoveryoraddictionrecoveryis required.
• Demonstratedknowledgeoftheprinciplesofpeersupport,recovery-orientedsystemsof care, case management, and harm reduction.
• Previousexperienceworkingwithindividualsfacinghomelessness,housinginstability, or behavioral health challenges is preferred.
• Abilitytoestablishrapportandbuildsupportive,trustingrelationshipswithclients.
• Stronginterpersonalcommunicationskillsandtheabilitytoworkcollaborativelywithin a multidisciplinary team.
• Basiccomputerskills,includingproficiencywithMicrosoftOfficeandwillingnesstouse electronic documentation systems.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strongunderstandingofmentalhealthandaddictionrecoveryfromapeerperspective, including wellness strategies, recovery supports, and self-advocacy.
• Knowledgeofcasemanagementprocesses,includingservicecoordinationandresource navigation.
• Abilitytorelatetoandsupportclientsusingtrauma-informedandperson-centered approaches.
• Excellentproblem-solvingandconflict-resolutionskills,withafocusonclient empowerment and self-determination.
• Willingnesstosharepersonalrecoveryexperiencesasatoolforhelpingothers.
• CommitmenttothemissionofHOPEAtlantaandtosupportingindividualsinachieving housing stability and personal recovery.
• Abilitytoworkeffectivelywithdiversepopulations,includingindividualsfromvarious cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Proficiencyinelectronichealthrecord(EHR)systems,MSOfficeSuite,Homeless Management Information System Client Track, and database systems, etc.
• PossessavalidGeorgiadriver’slicense,withagooddrivingrecordandreliable transportation, required.