Youth Peer Support Specialist

About Delaware Guidance Services

Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. (DGS) is the largest provider of outpatient behavioral health services to children and families in Delaware. We operate offices in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, and Seaford, and are the only statewide not‑for‑profit outpatient behavioral health organization for children and adolescents accredited by JCAHO. In 2020, we were honored as a Compassionate Champion for our dedication to serving youth and families using a trauma‑informed approach.

Through DGS, clients and families have access to outpatient counseling, group therapy, parent‑child interaction therapy, and school‑based services. DGS’s 24‑hour statewide Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) dispatch skilled crisis intervention clinicians to provide immediate care to children experiencing behavioral health crises.

Our therapeutic options include depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, traumatic stress‑related disorders, and suicidal ideation. In 2021, clinicians provided over 54,000 direct care hours to children, youth, and families in Delaware. Over 93% of clients report improvement in their level of functioning following treatment, and benefits extend to siblings, caregivers, classmates, and peers.

Our client population is racially and ethnically diverse; 80% are Medicaid recipients and 90% have household incomes under $30,000. We provide care to anyone in need, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. DGS also tailors services for child welfare‑involved families and foster youth.

• 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

Under the supervision of the Crisis Clinical Coordinator, the Youth Peer Support Specialist will provide peer mentoring services, including peer counseling, mentoring, support, and advocacy for youth receiving services from the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) program during crisis. The goal is to engage youth, advocate for their needs, and support transition to other community services. The role includes risk assessment support during MRSS requests and ongoing mentoring while the MRSS case is open, working closely with the MRSS crisis clinician to help youth achieve goals and find stability.

Documentation of mentoring services from intake through discharge is required. This position is funded by a grant that will end on September 30, 2025.

• Maintain professional, trauma‑informed, and empathetic interactions during crisis with children, families, and stakeholders.
• Use critical thinking and risk management skills when connecting with youth during mentoring.
• Understand and use 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

None

Community‑Based, Office location in Lewes or Wilmington.

Travel to locations where the client resides or is located.

• 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.

Delaware Guidance Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

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.