Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families
Find prevention and early intervention services in Delaware by searching through the program service map or list.
The Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program (PSSF) is a community-based family support and preservation program which provides consultation services to families who are “at risk or in crisis” due to one or a combination of stressors that may lead to child maltreatment. These services are provided statewide.
The Delaware Family and Fatherhood Coalition (DFFC) is an extension of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program. DFFC fatherhood initiative is a shared collaborative addressing responsible fatherhood and healthy adult relationships as it pertains to effective co-parenting. The coalition connects multiple sectors of the community in a comprehensive approach, continuously develops partners, providing training opportunity to infusion fatherhood service into existing children and family services.
HHCAP helps families build healthy family relationships, strengthen caregiver skills, and promote positive behavior in children.
The program is designed to prevent child maltreatment by increasing protective factors and promoting resilience in high-risk families living in high-risk communities.
Intensive Family Consultation (IFC) is a family support service that uses a one-on-one interactive consultation approach to provide supportive services to families who are experiencing an array of needs or stressors.
Delaware mandates divorcing parents with children up to age 17 to attend a parenting education course. The goal of these courses is to educate parents of the effects of divorce/separation on children and to help both parents minimize the harmful effects of divorce on their children, whenever possible. DPBHS certifies providers of these courses. In-person and online courses offered.
The SUPTRS Block Grant (SUPTRS) provided by the Delaware Department for Health and Social Services (DSAMH) funds the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS) to contract with community partners to offer evidence-based substance misuse prevention strategies in community centers, schools, and other youth-serving organizations after school program. Under the SUPTRS Block Grant (SUPTRS), DPBHS contracts with providers to offer Early Intervention services to youth who are at risk for substance dependency due to early identified use.
The City of Wilmington’s Youth Response Unit (YRU) is a collaboration with the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services. The unit is comprised of specially trained, qualified therapists working in partnership with the Wilmington Police Department’s (WPD) officers and Victims Services Unit. The purpose of this unit is to identify children who have been impacted by violence and trauma and intervene as quickly as possible to promote resiliency and healing. In addition to individualized trauma response and treatment, YRU offers education, support and resources to children, families and the community as they cope with varying forms of trauma.
The Prevention Resource Center (PRC) holds a collection of psycho-educational materials including books, research and science-based curriculums, videos and DVDs that are available for loan. In addition, the Resource Center distributes informational brochures and pamphlets to the public that focus on substance abuse, violence, child abuse and neglect prevention as well as other related issues, such as, mental health and juvenile justice issues.
There are two ways to order:
PRC will accept orders Monday through Friday. Orders will be processed and shipped on Wednesday and Friday. Please allow 3-5 business days for delivery.
Contact Information:
A mental health or substance use emergency is any situation in which the child’s behaviors puts them at risk of hurting themselves or others and/or when the parent isn’t able to resolve the situation with the skills and resources available.
As with any medical emergency, a mental health or substance use emergency can be life threatening. Most of the time, mental health or substance use emergencies are those involving the threat of suicide or an actual suicide attempt. Other types of mental health or substance use emergencies may involve the threat of harm to another person. These are typically times of intense difficulty, trouble or danger.
Parents and caregivers should take suicidal thoughts or attempts seriously. Thoughts of killing or injuring someone are very serious too. Traumatic events, such as witnessing a murder or suicide, or being a victim of bullying or a violent crime can also cause a crisis for your child.
Call the DPBHS 24-hour Mobile Response and Stabilization Services call center in this kind of emergency: 1-800-969-4357
NOTE: If your child is injured or is an immediate threat to hurt someone, call 911 before calling the DPBHS Mental Health/Substance Use Emergency hotline.
When you call the hotline, someone will ask you to provide:
The person on the phone will arrange an appropriate service response that could include verbal de-escalation of the situation, a meeting in your home or a meeting somewhere else if help is needed right away.
If appropriate, a therapist will talk to you and your child and help you develop a safety plan. The Hotline worker will also assist you to obtain other mental health services if help is not needed immediately.
Call the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health’s Crisis Intervention Services:
Delaware's Governor
State Directory
Elected Officials
General Assembly
Delaware Courts
State Employees
Cities & Towns
Delaware State Code
State Regulations
Business First Steps
Phone Directory
Locations Directory
Delaware Public Meetings
Voting & Elections
Transparency
Choose Health DE
Tax Center
Personal Income Tax
Privacy Policy
Weather & Travel
Contact State Agencies
Corporations
Franchise Tax
Gross Receipts Tax
Withholding Tax
Guides to Services
Help Center
Mobile Apps
E-mail / Text Alerts
Social Media
Built by the Government Information Center
©MMXXVI Delaware.gov
