Community Support Specialist, Justice Involve

Excitement abounds at Heritage Behavioral Health Center!

We are a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic located in Decatur, Illinois who is dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care to individuals in a multi-county area. We recognize that all individuals at our organization have an impact on patient care - regardless of the position they hold.

Why join us?

• We offer a collaborative work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and a comprehensive benefits package.
• We are expanding our primary care, mental health and substance use services to individuals in Central Illinois and beyond and are looking for dedicated staff to meet the needs of our clientele.
• Our salaries have been updated and are competitive at both the state and national levels with wonderful benefits.
• Full-time employees receive 56 paid days off during their 1^st year of employment (this includes every other Friday off PAID for your wellness needs). This increases to 61 days the 2^nd year and continues to increase with tenure.
• We have expanded our employee insurance benefit offerings and made them more affordable.

At Heritage, we believe in taking care of our staff's needs so that they can concentrate on taking care of the needs of the individuals we serve. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we treat them as such!

We are pleased to present the following position for your consideration:

Overview: Community Support Specialist - Justice Involved

This position provides intensive, recovery-oriented community-based rehabilitation and outreach services for adults with mental health and/or co-occurring disorders who have recurring involvement with the criminal justice system. The primary goal is to engage individuals in treatment, reduce reliance on emergency and law enforcement interventions, and support stability and reintegration in the community.

The Case Manager will work in close partnership with the Decatur Police Department and other justice stakeholders to identify, engage, and support individuals who are at risk of repeated arrest or detention due to unmet behavioral health needs. Services will be delivered in the community, including homes, shelters, hospitals, police contacts, and at Heritage Behavioral Health Center, with a focus on reducing law enforcement contacts through proactive and sustained engagement.

This role will also incorporate Contingency Management as a structured therapeutic approach to enhance motivation and reinforce treatment goals. Through the use of positive reinforcement strategies, clients will be supported in meeting recovery milestones and sustaining engagement with services.

Core Responsibilities Include:

• Provide community-based case management, community support, and outreach services focused on individuals with recurring justice involvement
• Collaborate directly with the Decatur Police Department and other partners to co-respond or follow up on referrals related to behavioral health needs
• Utilize Contingency Management strategies to reinforce treatment engagement, adherence, and recovery goals through structured incentives
• Conduct needs assessments and develop individualized recovery plans
• Assist clients with symptom management, treatment engagement, and development of coping strategies
• Support individuals with skill-building related to independent living, including housing retention, budgeting, and daily routines
• Provide medication support, including monitoring and education
• Link individuals to physical and behavioral healthcare, housing, benefits, and other resources
• Support reintegration efforts and reduce recidivism by promoting treatment adherence and positive social supports
• Advocate for diversion opportunities and alternatives to incarceration where appropriate
• Help clients access and maintain public benefits (e.g., Medicaid, SNAP, SSI/SSDI)
• Participate in collaborative case staffing with justice partners, healthcare providers, and internal teams
• Attend court hearings or probation meetings when appropriate to support recovery efforts
• Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough documentation of all services
• Provide other duties as assigned or directed by supervisor

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience working with individuals with behavioral health conditions and justice involvement
• Knowledge of case management principles and recovery-oriented services
• Familiarity with legal systems, probation, and diversionary programs
• Strong collaboration skills, particularly with law enforcement and justice partners
• Knowledge of community resources and the ability to connect individuals with services
• Ability to build rapport quickly and engage individuals with low motivation or high barriers
• Comfort with field-based and mobile service provision
• Strong documentation and organizational skills
• Competence in using electronic health records
• Flexibility, problem-solving, and nonjudgmental approach in high-pressure environments
• Commitment to trauma-informed, person-centered, and culturally responsive care

Education and Experience:

• Mental Health Professional as defined by:
  1. Five years' experience in behavioral health,
  2. Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS),
  3. Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, human services, or related field,
  4. Bachelor's degree in any field with two years of experience in a human services or related field.

A valid driver's license, reliable means of transportation, and proof of automobile insurance are required.

Salary Range: $23-$26 per hour

Heritage also offers the following with this position:

1. Generous vacation, sick and personal leave
2. WELLNESS days - 26 days per year (every other Friday off paid)
3. Paid holidays - 9 in 2025
4. Partial Health Club/Fitness Reimbursement
5. Employee Assistance Program
6. Continuing education opportunities
7. Tuition assistance program
8. Agency provided life insurance and short-term disability policies
9. Retirement plans (401k and Roth)
10. Optional insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), and additional life insurance. (The health insurance benefit includes substantial agency contribution towards the cost.)