Community Engagement Specialist

Description:

Communicare is a community mental health center in North Central Mississippi that serves Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Tate and Yalobusha counties. Communicare offers specialized treatment services for adults with serious mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbances, individuals with substance abuse disorders and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Communicare is currently seeking a Community Engagement Specialist for Lafayette County.

Responsibilities:

The Community Engagement Specialist plays a pivotal role in creating safer communities and supporting individuals on their journey toward rehabilitation and reintegration. This position is closely aligned with the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) System of Care, emphasizing a holistic and youth-centered approach. As part of a collaborative team, the Community Engagement Specialist fosters connections between justice-involved individuals and their communities, provides education, training and advocacy to ensure positive outcomes.

• Build authentic relationships with justice-involved youth, their families, and community stakeholders.
• Organize youth-led events, workshops, and activities that promote positive interactions and address individual needs.
• Utilize a strengths-based approach to empower youth, recognizing their unique abilities and potential.
• Collaborate with community organizations, schools, and local agencies to provide education and training.
• Coordinate with the Mississippi Department of Corrections and Juvenile Justice courts to ensure continuity of care, maintain appropriate documentation, and work toward mutual goals.
• Assist clients in understanding court processes, attending hearings, and meeting legal obligations.
• Connect youth to community-based programs, including job training, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and educational resources.
• Advocate for youth access to services that address their specific needs.
• Works in direct collaboration with other providers, school staff and other members of the treatment team to coordinate the intensive mental health and academic needs of the person.
• Conducts psycho-social assessments, assists in developing Crisis Management Plan, and other components associated with the intake process.
• Assists with development of clinical goals, objectives, and interventions for the Individual Service Plan.
• Assists in the development and coordination of a transition plan to ensure successful step down into lower level of care.
• Ensures adherence to the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care.
• The Community Engagement Specialist may be required to attend evening or weekend meetings.
• Participation in ongoing training and professional development is required.
• Identify resources and services that enhance clients’ well-being and stability.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Because we are the people who care, Communicare offers competitive benefits for full-time employees, including health protection plans, income protection, and paid time off.

Our popular benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Life/AD&D/Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Dental/Vision/Term Life/Cancer coverage available
• Retirement Plan
• 403-B
• 403-B matching
• 11 Holidays per year
• 15 Annual Leave days per year (18 days after 3 years of employment)
• 15 Sick days of Leave per year
• Professional Development leave
• Jury leave
• Military leave

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in social work, criminal justice, or a related field.
• Knowledge of the SAMHSA System of Care principles and trauma-informed practices.
• Knowledge of community resources, social services, and legal processes.
• Excellent communication, empathy, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.