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Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families


Division of Prevention & Behavioral Health Services

Terry Children’s Center




Terry Children’s Center is operated by the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS) and licensed by Delacare, the State of Delaware requirements for Residential Child Care Facilities.

Terry Children’s Center provides effective residential and crisis stabilization treatment services to youth and their families referred to the programs.

Terry Children’s Center (TCC) located in New Castle, Delaware offers:

  • Residential based treatment services for a maximum of 10 children ranging in age from 6 – 13 years
  • Bed-based crisis stabilization services for up to 6 children ranging in age from 6 – 17 years. 

The services provided are multi-faceted, utilizing a variety of modalities to serve youth and their families.  Services include: individual, family, and group therapy components; regular psychiatric consultation and intervention; and a milieu management program based upon cognitive-behavioral modification principles.

The programs serve youth with histories of sexual victimization and other types of trauma, youth with significant histories of mental illness along with youth with Developmental-Related Disorders, as well as more common behavioral disorders All treatment services are conducted by licensed therapists or under the direct supervision of a licensed supervisor.

Residential Treatment Services

Youth have their own private bedroom while in treatment.  While participating in residential services, the youth attend an on-site educational program and also participate in a broad range of school related activities including field trips and enjoy community outings in the evenings and weekends. 

Terry Children’s Center is operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are fully staffed in compliance with Delacare licensing requirements.  The centers utilize a cognitive behavioral support program within the environment to teach the youth daily living skills, social skills and relationship building skills.

Crisis Stabilization Unit

The Terry Children’s Center Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) can serve up to six children or adolescents at any one time.  The youth are admitted to the CSU either through the Division’s contractual crisis intervention program, Mobile Response Stabilization Services (MRSS) team, or by direct admittance authorized through the Division’s Child and Family Care Coordination (CFCC) teams. 

The CSU services are designed for a short length of stay.  During this time, the Mobile Response Stabilization Services (MRSS),   team or another contracted provider works with the youth and family to return the youth to his or her home as quickly as possible.  TCC provides child-youth supervision/management utilizing the same behavioral management program as implemented elsewhere in the program, as well as psychiatric evaluation and medication management as appropriate. TCC works with families and youth to triage case management and coordinate counseling and therapeutic services as necessary.

Admission

Admission to any of the programs occurs in a coordinated fashion with the Child and Family Care Coordination Team (CFCC) within the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS).  Youth not already open with a care team can contact the Division’s Intake unit at (302) 633-2571.

Contact Information

10 Central Ave.
New Castle, De 19720
(302) 577-4270