Community Engagement Specialist (CES)

Prestera Health Services Community Engagement Specialists (CES) assist adults with mental illness, substance use, or co-occurring disorders who are at risk of commitment to psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities. The CES program operates in Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, Mason, Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, and Clay counties. CES staff provide outreach and engagement to build trust and support recovery. By offering tailored services, CES aims to prevent hospitalization by addressing psychiatric symptoms early. Services include arranging outpatient therapy and psychiatry, aiding in medication access, securing housing, applying for benefits, accessing employment programs, crisis intervention, and connecting to community resources. CES staff participate in treatment team meetings at psychiatric hospitals, aiding in discharge planning and providing follow-up support post-discharge. Supplemental funds are available for eligible consumers to address emergent needs such as medications, housing, food, and transportation, promoting stability in the community.