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How to be a Really Great Community Support Specialist. Presented by Linda Mazuranic, M.Ed., L.P.C. Begin by knowing your client. What do they like and dislike? Become aware of your client’s history. Do they have family or a cultural background that is important to them?.
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How to be a Really Great Community Support Specialist Presented by Linda Mazuranic, M.Ed., L.P.C.
What do they like and dislike? Become aware of your client’s history
Do they have family or a cultural background that is important to them? Where did they come from?
Do they have a church or spiritual practice that works for them? What do they have faith in?
Do they never want to move from where they live now? Find out what does and doesn’t matter to your client.
Is their dog the most important support in their life? Find out what does and doesn’t matter to your client.
Do they hate red cars? Find out what does and doesn’t matter to your client.
Each person is unique. Symptoms
irritation anger hearing voices mania anxiety flashbacks no motivation depression Be aware of symptoms, psychiatric care, and need for education about symptom management.
Ask your client what it means to them to have their diagnosis. Help your client develop a list of symptoms they have that bother them. Get the answers from the one who knows.
Education about symptom management starts with how someone has handled it in the past. Maybe they put their cares in a box car and watched the train roll away. Education creates change.
Identifying the symptoms that bother the client most may provide motivation to learn more about symptom management. Educate…educate…educate We learn when we are motivated.
Medication alone often does not rid people of symptoms. They need a bag of tricks and the practical success of being able to use them when life is hard. Help create success.
Ask your client about triggers to using substances. What substance do they first turn to when they have urges. Discuss both the benefits & consequences of their use. Make a list together of their triggers & discuss how to avoid them. Talk with your client about their use, they are the expert.
Our mental health is not isolated from the rest of our well being. We must all be aware of both physical & mental health.
Be aware of medical issues, medical providers, and ability to manage medical conditions. Health is complex.
Educate yourself about your client’s medical conditions. Take notes so that you will know what comes next. You are the coordinator of care.
Find out about your client’s housing status, plans, problems, and programs.
If a client has both a mental and medical illness, having housing may be the only way to feel safe. Housing is so much more than a place to live.
It is extremely difficult to manage any mental illness when homeless. Housing is better treatment.
Housing is a source of profound stress for most people who have a disability. Stress exacerbates mental illness. Safety is having a home.
You need to know the sources of your client’s income and benefits. Money
SSI Medicaid SSDI Medicare Medicare D Plans Food Stamps Ticket to Work Community Resources Be aware of finances, benefits, and entitlements and how to ensure they stay active.
Budgeting is not necessarily a natural skill, and can be very frightening if you are poor. Money can be scary.
Benefits, entitlements, housing vouchers, food stamps, and insurance are difficult to get back if they lapse. You need to help get the paperwork done!
Most state or federal health insurance needs to be re-investigated annually. Be aware of insurance and how to ensure it stays active.
Sudden changes in income can effect insurance eligibility for a person with a disability. Changes in Income
There are programs that protect insurance for a person with a disability who is working. Ticket to work
Most state or federal health insurance needs to be re-investigated annually. Be aware of insurance and how to ensure it stays active.
Find out your client’s progress in doing things on their own.
Progress is often achieved in baby steps. Progress – how do we measure it?
Having someone believe in you makes a difference, even when you can’t believe in yourself. Dreams can be realized.
A feeling of self-efficacy is a basic skill in the process of change. Change takes motivation.
Many people remember their failures and forget all the little successes. You can help them remember. Small successes reach goals.
Find out a way to schedule clients and to document your contacts.
Talk to your Supervisor and ask team mates that are successful at making productivity. Ask how to do it, collect strategies and find a way that works best for you. How do you make productivity?
Be aware of needing to plan ahead to manage both client needs and documentation needs.
Reducing the stress in your job means keeping up with the notes and paperwork. Keep the stress under control.
Be AWARE of what your client needs.
Last… but not least… Take care of you and enjoy your life.
