Job Title: Substance Use Disorder Family Specialist - Social Worker (SUD)
Location: Hybrid / Remote, Home-based
Service Area: Macomb and Oakland counties
Reports to: SUD Program Supervisor - Bingham Farms
Position Type: Full-Time | Exempt
Accepting applications until May 18, 2026.
Wellspring Lutheran Services is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to serving seniors, families and children throughout Michigan. We are currently seeking a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Family Specialist to join our Behavioral Health team serving families across metro-Detroit, including Macomb and Oakland counties.
Responsibilities:
- Provide outreach-counseling services to families affected by substance use disorder or at actual risk of having their children removed from their home due to child abuse and/or neglect. Provide skill-based intervention and support for families when a parent is alcohol or drug affected, or has been found to have a co-occurring disorder and assist to reduce risk factors and bring stability to the family
- Assess current living conditions such as stable housing, income/employment, developmental history, substance use/abuse, family structure, support system, physical health, emotional and mental health status and the client’s view of the presenting concern and factor into the therapeutic process
- Assist family ability to obtain concrete services i.e. housing, food, clothing, medical care, utilities, home maintenance/repair, transportation, etc. as these impact progress on primary substance risk reduction
- Work with substance use disorder affected adult on increasing awareness of the impact that alcohol and/or substance abuse has in their parenting relationship with their children; and the role alcohol and/or substance abuse has in the abuse and or neglect of their children
- Provide education such as: interrelationship of brain chemistry; the disease concept of dependence; the nature of substance use disorders; high-risk factors for substance use disorders like the role of genetics and environment; the effects using drugs and/or alcohol have on cognitive functioning such as memory and problem solving ability; etc.
- Use evidence based practices, including motivational interviewing to engage substance using adult in knowledge of relapse; relapse prevention strategies; and developing a specific relapse prevention plan. Highlight stages of change to educate and help client understand the process/journey of recovery
- Encourage/motivate toward the use of community recovery groups
- Develop prevention activities and education for family members to understand the dynamics of substance use disorders and provide appropriate referrals, resources and education to the families
- Establish community contacts to refer families/make collateral contacts to services including but not limited to: Early on, domestic violence, mental health, substance abuse counseling, longer-term counseling; financial management; concrete services. Then teach families how to advocate for themselves with these resources
- Maintain face-to-face contact with families according to the contract defined frequency/duration and the individual needs of the family
- Prepare reports (treatment plans, services plans, court reports, closure summaries) within the appropriate time frames. Maintain safety planning and documentation throughout services according to the needs of the family
- Ensure that the children in the household are in a safe and healthy environment by addressing the safety of all family members living in the home. Observe and respond to warning signs of abuse and neglect and make appropriate reports
- Maintain case files and documentation of client contact/activities to support accurate and timely billing procedures
- Assure clients have contact availability to reach program staff in an emergency
- Transport clients in your own vehicle (as needed)
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a human services-related field (required)
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience working with individuals and families impacted by substance use.
- Within three months of hire, must have an MCBAP-approved development plan toward CADC or CAADC certification and maintain certification once achieved.
- Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, car registration and auto insurance (required).
- Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
- Reliable, compassionate, and committed to high-quality, person-centered care.
Schedule and Compensation:
- Employment type:Full-time
- Hybrid / Remote:Home-based with travel throughout Macomb and Oakland counties for in-home client visits.
- On-site: Weekly meetings and supervision in-office
- On-Call: Responding to clients questions and calls after hours and on weekends
- Pay Rate:$51,500 – $58,500 / year, based on experience, education, and certification.
- Sign-on bonus:$500 for current CADC / CAADC certification (new hires only).
- Pay flexibility:Access your earned wages anytime with DailyPay.
Benefits:
- Health, Vision and Dental insurance.
- 403(b) Retirement Plan + matching.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays.
- Mileage reimbursement
- Earn your MCBAP CADC / CAADC certification (paid for by Wellspring)
- Flexible scheduling
- Clinical supervision bi-weekly or as needed.
- Access to Wellspring SupportLinc employee assistance program.
- DailyPay – access your earned wages anytime.
- Join a compassionate, mission-driven behavioral health team that makes a lasting impact on Michigan families.
Reporting Location
Wellspring Lutheran Services
30600 Telegraph Rd, Suite 4290
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
Join Wellspring and make a difference by helping families affected by substance use find hope, stability and recovery. Apply today to be part of a compassionate, person-centered team serving metro-Detroit communities.
*Current employees are not eligible for the sign-on bonus.
Full job description provided during the interview.