Community Support Specialist

Youth Villages Job Opportunity

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.

As a national leader in children's mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.

We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.

Program Overview

Mississippi Youth Programs Around the Clock (MYPAC) is a home- and community-based Medicaid program serving children and young people (ages 6 to 21) with significant behavioral and mental health needs. The program follows the High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) model—a collaborative, family-driven process that coordinates individualized care across multiple service systems.

MYPAC provides clinical, care coordination, and case management services as an alternative to residential treatment, focusing on intensive community support to keep children safely at home. MYPAC teams are available 24/7 for crisis intervention and ongoing support, offering in-home individual and family therapy, as well as medication management.

Rooted in the principles of "Family Voice, Family Choice," this program ensures that services are youth-guided and family-driven. The HFW approach emphasizes a strength-based philosophy, bringing together community resources and natural supports to foster long-term success and stability for youth and families.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Community Support Specialist:

• Carries a caseload of 4-6 cases per week and averages 12-20 total hours of face-to-face contact per week based on the families' needs
• Increases collaboration between youth, families, wraparound team, and natural supports
• Participates in meetings with the Mental Health Therapist and case manager to identify treatment goals for each youth and family
• Works with families in their homes and communities, linking them with resources and partnering alongside them to teach basic skills needed to care for their child based on their age and needs
• Attends 3 weekly meetings (individual, team, and clinical consultation) for professional development and quarterly booster trainings to enhance clinical skills
• Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR)
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Information

• Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.
• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver's license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance.
• Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage as commutes can range upwards of 60 to 80 miles.

Salary

$48000 - $55000 / year based on education and clinical license

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a social services discipline (preferred)
• Bachelor's degree in a social services discipline (required)
• Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy (others subject to review)
• Must have or be eligible for Mississippi's DMH credentialing (required)
• Experience working with at-risk youth and/or families in a volunteer, internship, or paid position (preferred)
• Clinical experience (preferred)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Basic computer knowledge
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

Youth Villages Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
• 401(k)
• Time off:
• 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision
• Growth & development through continuous training
• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

*Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.