Annual event honors families adopting and family service workers

DOVER – On November 18, the State of Delaware came together to celebrate National Adoption Day, a day dedicated to highlighting the importance of adoption and the support available to adoptive families. This special program, hosted by the Interagency Committee on Adoption, a collaboration between Delaware’s child welfare agencies, also paid tribute to the dedication of those who work to ensure children find their forever homes.

Delaware’s Lieutenant Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families Secretary Steve Yeatman, representatives from the Delaware Division of Family Services, and members of the Interagency Committee on Adoption gathered at the Dover Public Library for a heartfelt ceremony. The celebration included adoption ceremonies for families and recognition of the nearly 60 families who expanded their families through adoption this year.

During the celebration, Delaware Family Court Judge Mardi Pyott finalized adoptions for two families in front of dozens of loved ones, friends, community advocates and social workers.

In a video message, Gov. John Carney celebrated the families and all those who have opened their homes to adoption throughout the year. “You have created your families in a unique and special way,” said Governor Carney. “And you have provided the gifts of unconditional love and a protective home for so many Delaware children.” Gov. Carney also thanked the permanency workers and family court judges who have made a commitment to young people in need and recognized Delaware’s youth who have experienced foster care and face every day with courage and resiliency.

Lt. Gov. Hall-Long presented a proclamation, signed by herself and Gov. Carney, declaring November 18 as National Adoption Day and recognizing November as National Adoption Month. Hall-Long applauded the commitment and compassion of the adopting families and family service workers. “As a mom, as a nurse, I’m so humbled to be here,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “It is so incredibly important to recognize the remarkable foundation that each and every one of you are providing for all children; our foster children are loved.”

As the recognition month ends, the critical work of connecting children with families through adoption continues every day.

“As we celebrate National Adoption Day, we remember that our work is far from over,” said Steve Yeatman, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. “Countless children are still waiting for a loving family’s warmth and security. I urge everyone to consider how you can contribute to this noble cause. Whether it’s through adoption, fostering, or supporting organizations that facilitate these connections, there is a role for each of us in ensuring that every child’s right to a loving home is realized.”

In closing remarks, Division of Family Services Director Trenee Parker congratulated and thanked the families and community partners for being part of this wonderful community and giving us hope for the future. “That’s what we’re here for today,” said Parker. “One day, these little people are going to be standing up here making these remarks and doing things to take care of the citizens of our state.”

To learn more about adoption and free post-adoption resources in Delaware, call 302-633-2658 or email adoption.dscyf@delaware.gov. Visit kids.delaware.gov/family-services/adoption/.

To learn about the children in Delaware seeking an adoptive family, visit https://kids.delaware.gov/family-services/heartgallery/.

View a recording of Delaware’s National Adoption Day Celebration.

About DSCYF
The Delaware Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance use disorders, and/or have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. It has four divisions: Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services, Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, Division of Family Services and Division of Management Support Services. For more information, please visit www.kids.delaware.gov.

Media contact: Karen Smith, Karen.M.Smith@delaware.gov

Editor’s note: The following guest column was written by Delaware Education Secretary Mark Holodick and Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) Secretary Josette Manning.

As parents or guardians, we tend to react quickly when our children’s physical health is in question. If children show physical symptoms, get injured, or express they don’t feel right, we immediately ask questions and seek medical guidance and care. Parents and guardians are also pros at prevention — making sure children get vaccines and wellness exams and keeping an eye out for anything unusual that may indicate they are sick or hurt. That same level of attention and action for prevention and treatment is critical to supporting children’s mental health.

Many children will experience a mental health and/or substance use problem before age 18. In a survey of 80,000 youth around the world, 1 in 4 reported depressive symptoms and 1 in 5 experienced anxiety symptoms. Those rates are double what they were before the pandemic and we also know that more children have experienced trauma in response to COVID.  The good news is that there are things that caregivers can do to help promote children’s mental wellbeing.    Children thrive in the presence of thriving adults who support them in co-regulation and processing their emotions.  When a child has an emotionally healthy, caring adult in their life, it can help buffer against stress and help them to navigate experiences with resilience.  Anyone can be that adult for a child and make a real difference in their life.   How?  One of the easiest ways is for caregivers to talk with the children in their care—naturally, regularly, and intentionally as a part of daily life. Ask how they are feeling in general and about specific situations, like an upcoming social gathering or recent world event. These talks can take place in the car, standing in line, or at the dinner table.  Be an active listener and show interest in all aspects of their life and the things that matter to them.  And don’t hesitate to talk with them if you are concerned about their mental health and ask whether they are thinking about or planning suicide.  If you are concerned about a child in crisis, you should call the 24/7 Child Crisis Line, also known as Mobile Resource Stabilization Service, at 1-800-969-HELP (4357).

In addition to a caring adult, research shows that prevention and treatment programs do work and there are resources available to help children and their families through the Delaware Children’s Department Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS) and the Department of Education (DOE) and local schools.

The Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS) provides free summer prevention programs for children and teens that promote resilience, develop positive relationships with peers and adults and build life skills.  Families and community members can contact the division’s Prevention Helpline to learn about these services by calling (302) 633-2680, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., or by email at PBHS_Prevention_Inquiries@delaware.gov .  You can click here to see the current catalogue of programs: https://kidsfiles.delaware.gov/pdfs/pbh-summer-prevention-programs-2022.pdf. You can also visit DPBHS’ website to learn more about covered treatment services https://kids.delaware.gov/prevention-and-behavioral-health-services/information-for-families/.

Delaware schools support children through wellness promotion, monitoring for early warning signs,  and screening for risks. Students may access group and individualized supports for building social and emotional skills.  The state’s Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellbeing Plan provides infrastructure for this response system, integrating the innovations from Project DelAWARE – designed to reduce the stigma associated with mental health access – and Project THRIVE – which contracts directly with mental health provider organizations to offer trauma-specific interventions for ALL uninsured and under-insured  students, regardless of whether they attend public or private schools demonstration project funded by the US Department of Education. Both of these programs have increased mental health equity for children and youth across our state.  Students or parents and caregivers on their behalf can learn more by calling 211 or texting their zip code to 898-211.

12th Annual National Adoption Day event in Delaware.

National Adoption Day is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the need for the adoption of children in foster care. This event in Delaware will feature speakers and legal finalizations of four child adoptions by the Family Court. These will be Delaware’s fifth live adoption finalizations on Adoption Day. Families adopting children at the event reside in Middletown, Smyrna, and Bethel.

On any given day in Delaware there are 82 children who are looking for permanent families to provide them with the love and support they need to thrive. To learn more about adoption in Delaware, please visit kids.delaware.gov/fs/adoption.shtml

WHO: Adoptive Families
DSCYF’s Division of Family Services
Family Court of Delaware
Local Adoption Agencies

WHEN & WHERE: Saturday November 23, 2019
Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village
866 N. DuPont Highway
Dover DE 19901

Adoption Ceremonies 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

CONTACT: Joseph Smack
Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families
(302) 633-2501 or 893-8930 (mobile)
Joseph.smack@delaware.gov

For Immediate Release Contact: Joseph Smack
Monday, October 21, 2019 (302) 633-2501 or 893-8930 (m)
Joseph.smack@delaware.gov

Child Abuse Reporting Options Expand in Delaware

New reporting portal allows reports of child abuse to be received via mobile & other devices

Wilmington – The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) has launched a new reporting portal that allows both professionals and members of the community to submit online reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. The new portal, with its enhanced functionality, is more efficient and can be accessed on any mobile device or desktop. It was developed in partnership with Deloitte Digital and replaces an older online reporting form that was not able to be completed on a mobile device, nor could it transfer information directly to the child welfare database.

“We receive approximately 21,000 reports of abuse or neglect per year and timely and accurate reporting is critical to protecting the children who need our help,” said Josette Manning, Cabinet Secretary of DSCYF. “This new reporting portal will help reduce wait times for persons making reports of child abuse and neglect and will help our staff at our 24 hour report line by reducing the need to manually enter information into the database,” concluded, Manning.

To access the online reporting portal and for information about recognizing the signs of child abuse, please visit iseethesigns.org. Reporters may still utilize the child abuse and neglect hotline, at 1-800-292-9582, and should keep in mind that neither the online portal nor the hotline are a substitute for calling 911 in a true emergency. As always, reporters may choose to remain anonymous.

The Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance problems, have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. For more information, please visit https://kids.delaware.gov

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State Rental Assistance Program has housed 1,200 clients on 5th anniversary of collaboration

NEW CASTLE, Del. – Governor John Carney celebrated Monday the fifth anniversary of the State Rental Assistance Program, which has provided housing for 1,200 Delawareans through a unique collaboration supporting those in special need of help. The anniversary event took place at the Herman S. Holloway Campus of the Department of Health and Social Services.

“We are providing a bridge to independence, helping more Delawareans live self-sufficient lives,” said Governor Carney. “SRAP is a great example of how government agencies can work together to more efficiently deliver important services, and effectively help Delawareans in need. Thank you also to members of the General Assembly for their continued support of the program.”

The State Rental Assistance Program, or SRAP, provides rental vouchers to low-income Delawareans who require affordable housing and supportive services to live safely and independently in the community. Case managers help provide or coordinate those services and help residents through the rental process. SRAP helps particularly vulnerable populations – people exiting or at risk of admission to state long-term care institutions, youth aging out of foster care, and families for whom housing is a barrier to reunification, among others. All clients must be referred by an agency or partner.

Since 2011, more than 200 SRAP clients have successfully transitioned out of the program, either by handling rental payments on their own or by receiving housing assistance from another source. There are more than 720 families and individuals currently housed through SRAP.

SRAP client Zoraida Baez found the first apartment she has lived in that she can call her own through the program. “It’s such a relief,” said Baez, of Newark, who has also experienced homelessness. “I love it. I can come and go when I want. It’s my own place.”

SRAP is operated jointly by the Delaware State Housing Authority, which issues the vouchers; the Department of Health and Social Services, which refers clients in various programs; and the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families, which refers former foster youth and reunification families. Funding comes from the state’s General Fund through DSHA, as well as through DHSS’ Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, totaling $5.3 million.

“This is about caring for the whole person – not just looking at one part of their needs at a time,” said DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi. “We heard from advocates that the lack of affordable housing is a barrier to many low-income people and families with special needs to live and be successful, and we responded. This partnership shows that it is possible to serve people better, with a better quality of life, while reducing public costs.”

“The State Rental Assistance Program gives vulnerable populations the one thing we all want: The opportunity to have a place to call home,” said DHSS Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker. “For people leaving facilities or individuals with disabilities, these housing vouchers offer an affordable and safe way for them to live in the community. It’s not always easy to start anew, but the teamwork of SRAP makes the transition manageable, including clients to supportive services. The collaboration across state government provides a better quality of life for the vulnerable people we serve, saves the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and helps us build a healthier Delaware.”

“For young people leaving our foster care system, the challenges of transitioning to adulthood can be quite daunting. Sometimes their most basic needs, like a safe and affordable home, can seem unobtainable,” said DSCYF Secretary Josette Manning. “The SRAP program helps our youth secure a home so they can focus on meeting their other needs, such as education, employment and even basic health services. We are extremely grateful for this program because without it, it would be impossible for our foster children to thrive as adults.”

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