This position is eligible for

Sign on Bonus $3500
Retention Bonus $875

Job Description

Summary/objective

Under the supervision of the Crisis Clinical Coordinator, the Youth Peer Support Specialist will provide peer mentoring services, include peer counseling, mentoring, support, and advocacy according to the needs, interests and perspectives of youth receiving services from the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) program due to an identified crisis. The ultimate goal of peer mentoring is to engage the youth in the support available, advocate for the needs of the youth, and assist in transitioning into other support services that may be needed in the community.

The focus of the Youth Peer Support Specialist is to support the youth during the risk assessment that occurs when a request is made to the MRSS program and to provide ongoing mentoring while the MRSS case is open. The Youth Peer Support Specialist will work closely with the MRSS crisis clinician to help the youth achieve their goals and find stability in the community.

In addition, the incumbent is responsible for documentation of mentoring services provided from intake through discharge.

Essential functions:

Risk Assessment Mentoring

Maintain professional, trauma-informed, and empathetic interactions during crisis interactions with children, families, and stakeholders
Use critical thinking and risk management skills when connecting with youth during mentoring
Understand and utilize knowledge about warning signs and risk factors associated with suicide risk and risk of harm to others
Develop comprehensive skills in providing support for youth in crisis

Case Management

Provide individual peer support and counseling
Share lived experience related to recovery, when appropriate
Conduct routine home visits
Communicate with and provide appropriate documentation to the DPBHS team, as needed
Communicate with appropriate stakeholders to maintain a systems-based approach to assisting with the youth’s stabilization
Maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation

General Responsibilities

Uphold professional standards of peer mentoring and the mission of the organization
Maintain a quality code of conduct, ethics and professionalism
Provide goal-directed and team-oriented services
Communicate effectively and professionally with all stakeholders

Competencies/ Capabilities:

Reliability & Flexibility
Customer Service
Written and Verbal Communication
Collaboration and Teamwork

Supervisory responsibilities: None

Work environment: Community-Based, Office location in Lewes or Wilmington

Travel required: Travel to locations where the client resides or is located

Minimum qualification:

Lived experience as a youth who experienced support due to behavioral health needs
Young Adult ages 18-24 years old
High School Diploma or Equivalent
Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record

EEO:

Delaware Guidance Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

About Delaware Guidance Services

DGS is the largest non-profit provider of outpatient behavioral health services for children and families in Delaware, and the only statewide organization of its kind continuously accredited by The Joint Commission since 1999. Our vision for Delaware—resilient families nurturing children’s well‑being—flows from our mission to provide high‑quality, trauma‑informed therapeutic services that strengthen social, emotional, and behavioral wellness.

Each year, DGS serves an average of 3,500 children and youth through a clinically excellent continuum of care that includes outpatient therapy, community‑based services, school‑based supports, mobile crisis response, and short‑term youth crisis stabilization. Our clinical lines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, ensuring that children and families have access to timely, flexible, and culturally responsive care wherever it is needed—at home, in school, in the community, or at one of our five office locations across Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, and Seaford.

If you would to learn more about Delaware Guidance Services, please go to https://www.delawareguidance.org/about/ 

Why Work at Delaware Guidance Services?

DGS strives to build a collaborative, flexible, and client-focused work environment. Employee wellness is a top priority. In addition to offering flexible work arrangements, DGS offers a comprehensive and competitive employee benefits package including the following:

Competitive Compensation
Incentive Pay for Specific Roles
Generous Paid Time Off (starting at 44 days of paid leave a year)
Up to 6% Annual Contribution to Your Retirement Fund
Free Professional Development Opportunities
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Life and Long-term Disability Insurance

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site