Youth Peer Support Specialist

Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc.

Wilmington (DE)

On-site

USD 38,000 - 52,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Sign on Bonus $3500

Retention Bonus $875

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Generous Paid Time Off

Job summary

Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. is seeking a Youth Peer Support Specialist to provide peer mentoring, counseling, advocacy, and support to youth served by the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) program during crises.

The role emphasizes engaging youth, advocating for needs, and guiding transition to additional community resources. The specialist will work with MRSS crisis clinicians, perform risk assessment support, and document services from intake through

Qualifications

Trauma-informed approach for youth in crisis is preferred.
Experience with crisis-related mentoring or counseling is a plus.
Able to document services accurately and timely.

Responsibilities

Provide peer mentoring and counseling to youth in MRSS.
Document mentoring services from intake to discharge.
Coordinate with MRSS crisis clinician to support youth goals.
Travel to client locations as needed.

Skills

Reliability

Customer Service

Written and Verbal Communication

Collaboration and Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Valid driver's license

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.

This position is eligible for

Sign on Bonus $3500

Retention Bonus $875

Job Description

Summary/objective

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. This position is available due to grant funding that will end on September 30, 2025.

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 CommunicationCollaboration 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

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. Over 93% of clients report improvement in their level of functioning following treatment, and therapeutic benefits derived from trauma-informed care extend to clients' siblings, caregivers, classmates, and peers.

Our client population is racially and ethnically diverse; 80% of DGS clients are Medicaid recipients and 90% have household incomes under $30,000. Many of our clients present with significant treatment challenges including learning impacts due to missed school and negative economic impact due to parental missed work. 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

Why Work at Delaware Guidance Services?

Benefits