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School Based Support Specialist

Centerstone · Staunton, IL · $20.00–$23.00 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Why do you want to support students' mental health in a school setting?

What they are checking: Whether their motivation fits the steady, hands-on work of helping kids day to day.

Tell me about a time you helped a young person connect to a resource they needed.

What they are checking: Whether they follow through on linking kids and families to real help.

How do you keep professional boundaries with students who become attached to you?

What they are checking: Whether they can be warm while keeping healthy limits that protect the student.

How do you take care of yourself when the work gets emotionally heavy?

What they are checking: Whether they have healthy ways to manage stress so they stay in the role.

What would you do

A student shuts down and refuses to talk to you. What do you try?

What they are checking: Whether they have patient, flexible ways to reach kids who are not ready to engage.

How do you work with teachers who see a student only as a discipline problem?

What they are checking: Whether they can advocate for a student while respecting teachers' needs in the classroom.

A student tells you something that makes you worried about their safety at home. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they know to involve their supervisor and follow mandated reporting rules.

How would you handle covering several schools in the Staunton area with different schedules?

What they are checking: Whether they can organize their time and stay reliable across sites.

About the work

How would you help a student practice a coping skill from their treatment plan during a stressful school day?

What they are checking: Whether they can turn treatment plan goals into practical support in the moment.

What would you write in a note after working with a student, and why does it matter?

What they are checking: Whether they understand documentation ties services to the treatment plan and supports billing.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Centerstone from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Centerstone.

Centerstone is among the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health systems with thousands of employees dedicated to delivering care that changes people’s lives. A dynamic, well-established organization, we offer rewarding opportunities to serve all ages in a variety of settings. Come talk to us about joining the Centerstone team! JOB DESCRIPTION: Job Summary: Are you passionate about supporting youth and promoting mental wellness in schools? Join us as a School-Based Support Specialist in Quincy, IL! This vital role helps students succeed by providing in-school mental health support, empowering them to thrive both academically and emotionally. As a School-Based Support Specialist, you will deliver individualized services based on comprehensive treatment plans, helping students develop the skills they need to manage challenges, access resources, and build resilience. You’ll play an essential role in connecting mental health care with the educational experience. This role will support Staunton, IL and surrounding areas. Position Perks & Benefits: • 29 Days of PTO • Pay $20.00 - $23.00 • Eligibility for HRSA Loan Repayment *eligibility requirements • Employee benefits package - health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more** • Competitive 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan – up to 5% match for Part-Time and Full-Time employees • Company-paid basic life insurance • Emergency Medical Leave Program • Flexible Spending Accounts – healthcare and dependent child-care • Health & Wellness Program • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Employee Discount Program • Mileage Reimbursement (When applicable) Key Responsibilities: • Deliver mental health services to students on school premises • Support treatment goals using evidence-based strategies and a strengths-based approach • Help students build skills that promote recovery, resilience, and academic success • Manage a student caseload and provide care coordination with other service providers • Conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and participate in client staffings • Provide crisis response and follow-up support, including outreach for missed appointments • Collaborate with school personnel, families, and other stakeholders • Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with agency, state, and clinical guidelines • Participate in staff development, quality improvement, and program evaluation • Conduct home visits and outreach during school breaks or as needed Education and/or Experience Qualifications: One of the following is required: • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a related human services field • Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and two years of related experience • Four-year combination of higher education and two years of related experience • Associate’s degree in Behavioral Health Support • Four years of qualifying experience in mental health, substance use, or developmental disability services* *Qualifying experience may include: • Providing individual or group rehabilitation/recovery services • Teaching coping and self-management skills • Supporting clients in community, family, or school integration • Assisting in the execution of treatment plan goals Required License/Certification: • Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance Additional Qualifications: • Knowledge of mental health/substance use interventions and community resources • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Ability to maintain professional boundaries, multitask, and work independently • Comfortable building rapport with students, families, and school personnel • Able to adapt to changing needs and priorities in a school-based setting Illinois Applicant Notice As part of our talent review process, we may use technology, including AI‑assisted tools, to help organize and review applicant information. These tools support our recruiting team; all hiring decisions involve human review and judgment. Centerstone is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic. Time Type: Full time Pay Range: $19.10--$26.80 Delivering care that changes people's lives starts with our employees. Below are just some of the great benefits Centerstone employees enjoy: • Medical, dental, and vision health coverage • Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts • 403b retirement plan with company match • Paid time off and ten paid holidays • AD&D Insurance, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability (company paid) • Employee Resource Groups • Continuing education opportunities • Employee Assistance Program Centerstone is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at Centerstone is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We treat all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect. At Centerstone, we use our values as a guide for what we do. Respect, Expertise, Integrity and Empowerment are at the heart of every interaction at Centerstone, and particularly rooted in our Culture. Our approach to culture is to create an environment that encourages, supports and celebrates the voices and experiences of our employees. We are committed to a culture of empowerment, respect, integrity and expertise that powers our innovation and connects us to each other, our clients and the communities we serve. Centerstone is also committed to a strong culture of quality and safety, celebrating role-models who champion best practices for quality, clinical risk, and patient safety.

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