Crisis Engagement Specialist

DELAWARE GUIDANCE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN

Dover (DE)

On-site

USD 39,000 - 53,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Sign-On Bonus: $4,000

Retention Bonus: $1,000

Job summary

Delaware Guidance Services for Children is seeking an Engagement Specialist to coordinate care for children and youth in crisis in Dover, DE. Under the Crisis Integrated Services Coordinator, you will conduct outreach, deliver Caring Contacts, and reconnect former clients to needed services.

You will collaborate with schools, community agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless, culturally competent support and timely follow-up for at-risk youth.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or related field.
Two years of experience in case management, preferably in healthcare, mental health services, or crisis intervention programs.
Familiarity with Delaware’s behavioral health systems, state regulations, and community resources for children and families.

Responsibilities

Caring Contacts and Crisis Reconnects: implement the Caring Contacts protocol via phone calls, mailers, and electronic communication to reduce suicide risk.
Make supportive outreach to discharged clients at designated intervals post-treatment.
Engage children and families who decline or disengage to encourage participation and support.
Maintain contact with former clients to assess ongoing needs and provide referrals or follow-up.
Serve as a primary contact for post-discharge engagement to ensure continuity of care.
Collaborate with internal and external service providers to support care plans and follow-up.
Coordinate services by phone and email with timely information exchange.
Assist in scheduling follow-ups or connecting families with ongoing mental health support.
Act as liaison between crisis program, community agencies, schools and stakeholders to ensure integrated services.
Advocate for youth and families with culturally competent, client-centered service delivery.
Identify community resources and connect families with services (mental health, housing, education, etc.).
Help navigate systems (insurance, legal, educational, social services) to ensure holistic support.

Skills

Crisis management

Case management

Interagency collaboration

Communication

Cultural competency

Empathy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or related field

Advanced degree

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Dover, DE, US

Salary Range: $38,983.51 To $52,742.39 Annually

Sign-On Bonus: $ 4000

Retention Bonus:$1000

Summary/objective

Under the supervision of the Crisis Integrated Services Coordinator, the Engagement Specialist plays a crucial role in coordinating care and providing support to children and youth experiencing crises. This position is responsible for conducting outreach and follow-up to children and families who have engaged with crisis services, with a particular focus on those who decline or disengage. The role includes delivering evidence-based Caring Contacts, reconnecting former clients, coordinating care, and fostering engagement through compassionate, proactive communication. The ideal candidate will have experience working in crisis management, case management, or child/youth services, and will be adept at collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive support to at-risk youth in Delaware.

Essential functions

Caring Contacts and Crisis Reconnects

Implement the Caring Contacts protocol through phone calls, mailers, and electronic communication, based on an evidence-based model designed to reduce suicide risk.
Make supportive outreach to discharged clients at designated intervals post-treatment.

Client Engagement and Follow-Up

Conduct outreach to children and families who decline or disengage from crisis services to encourage participation and offer support.
Maintain contact with former clients and families to assess ongoing needs and provide appropriate referrals or follow-up.
Serve as a point of contact for post-discharge engagement, ensuring continuity of care and supporting client wellness.

System Engagement and Resource Coordination

Collaborate with internal and external service providers to support client care plan, ensuring that all immediate and ongoing needs are addressed including appropriate follow-up and referrals for services.
Coordinate services and follow-up by phone and email, ensuring accurate and timely information exchange.
Assist in scheduling follow-up appointments or connecting families with ongoing mental health support.
Serve as the primary point of contact and act as a liaison between the crisis program, community agencies, schools, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that all services are integrated and coordinated effectively.
Advocate for the needs of youth and families within the program and with external agencies, ensuring that services are delivered in a culturally competent and client-centered manner.
Identify community resources and support services for youth and families, ensuring that they are connected with appropriate services such as mental health counseling, housing, educational support, etc.
Help youth and families navigate systems, including insurance, legal, educational, and other social services, to ensure holistic support.

Documentation and Reporting

Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all client interactions and collateral follow-ups in accordance with program policies and state regulations.
Prepare and submit regular case updates and reports, including documentation of progress, barriers, and recommendations for further intervention or resources.
Crisis Management: Ability to effectively assess and manage urgent, high-stress situations while providing emotional support and practical solutions.
Collaboration: Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
Problem Solving: Capacity to think critically and find solutions quickly in complex, time-sensitive situations.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex information.
Empathy and Compassion: A compassionate approach to working with children and families in crisis, with an understanding of trauma and mental health issues.
Cultural Competency: Understanding and respecting the diversity of youth and families served, and providing services in a culturally sensitive manner.

Supervisory responsibilities

none

Work environment: Office based, Partial telecommuting with approval

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
May be requested to lift up to 15 pounds periodically

Travel required: schools, client homes, community agencies, etc.

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or related field.
Two years of experience in case management, preferably in healthcare, mental health services, or crisis intervention programs.
Familiarity with Delaware’s behavioral health systems, state regulations, and community resources for children and families.

Preferred qualifications

Advanced degree in a related field
Experience working in a 24/7 crisis response program
Bilingual (Spanish-English) language skills are a plus

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.

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: