Youth Peer Support Specialist

Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc.

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 we 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. Our community‑based service lines serve youth and families who require a more intense therapeutic protocol. DGS’ 24‑hour statewide Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) dispatches skilled crisis intervention clinicians to provide immediate care to children experiencing behavioral health crises. Therapeutic options are available for a wide range of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, traumatic stress‑related disorders, and suicidal ideation.

In 2021, DGS clinicians provided over 54,000 direct care hours to children, youth, and families in Delaware.

Our client population is racially and ethnically diverse; 80% of DGS clients 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 for care. DGS also provides services specifically tailored to meet the unique behavioral health care needs of 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 8% Annual Contribution to Your Retirement Fund
• Free Professional Development Opportunities
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life and Long‑term Disability Insurance

Title: Youth Peer Support Specialist

Location: Lewes or Wilmington (or Seaford, DE)

Salary Range: $31,586.05/yr – $42,734.07/yr

Summary/objective: 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 according to the needs of youth receiving services from the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) program due to an identified crisis.

• Risk Assessment Mentoring – Maintain professional, trauma‑informed interactions during crisis; use critical thinking and risk management skills; understand suicidal risk and harm prevention; provide comprehensive support for youth in crisis.
• Case Management – Provide individual peer support and counseling; share lived experience when appropriate; conduct routine home visits; communicate and document with the DPBHS team and stakeholders; maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation.
• General Responsibilities – Uphold professional standards of peer mentoring; maintain a quality code of conduct, ethics, and professionalism; provide goal‑directed, team‑oriented services; communicate effectively and professionally with all stakeholders.

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

Community‑Based; office location in Lewes or Wilmington; travel to client locations.

• Lived experience as a youth who received support for behavioral health needs
• Age 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 intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities. Duties may change at any time with or without notice.