CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FIRST DELAWARE INC
809 N WASHINGTON ST, WILMINGTON, DE 19801 www.cffde.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: CHILDREN & FAMILIES FIRST HELPS CHILDREN FACING ADVERSITY ON THEIR JOURNEY TO ADULTHOOD. WE USE PROVEN METHODS TO HELP FAMILIES RAISE THEIR CHILDREN SO THEY CAN FLOURISH.

CHILDREN & FAMILIES FIRST HAS HELPED NEEDY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN DELAWARE FOR MORE THAN 125 YEARS. ANNUALLY, THE ORGANIZATION SERVES MORE THAN 30,000 INDIVIDUALS STATEWIDE THROUGH 30+ PROGRAMS THAT OFFER ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE LIFESPAN. THE ORGANIZATION'S SERVICES ARE CHILD-CENTERED AND FAMILY-FOCUSED, FORMING A COMPREHENSIVE CONTINUUM OF QUALITY SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

POSITIVE PARENTING - FAMILY FOSTER CARE (FC) AT CFF PROVIDES STABILITY AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS TO DELAWARE INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND TEENS - INCLUDING THOSE REQUIRING THERAPEUTIC AND SPECIALIZED CARE - WHO CANNOT REMAIN AT HOME FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, INCLUDING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT RELATING TO CAREGIVER SUBSTANCE ABUSE. FOSTER FAMILIES RECEIVE EXTENSIVE TRAINING AND SUPPORT, AND BIRTH FAMILIES RECEIVE FAMILY-CENTERED COUNSELING, VISITATION, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TOWARD REUNITING THE CHILD WITH THE BIRTH FAMILY, AS APPROPRIATE. IN 2019, 88% OF CHILDREN REMAINED WITH ONE FOSTER FAMILY THROUGHOUT THEIR TIME IN CARE. OF CHILDREN DISCHARGED FROM FOSTER CARE, 95% ACHIEVED PERMANENCY (REUNIFICATION WITH BIRTH FAMILIES, GUARDIANSHIP, OR ADOPTION).SPECIAL NEEDS ADOPTION FROM FOSTER CARE PROVIDES A PERMANENT HOME FOR OLDER DELAWARE YOUTH; SIBLING GROUPS; AND CHILDREN WITH EMOTIONAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, OR MEDICAL NEEDS WHOSE BIRTH PARENTS HAVE HAD PARENTAL RIGHTS TERMINATED. THROUGH THE CHILD-SPECIFIC RECRUITMENT (CSR) PROGRAM, POTENTIAL ADOPTIVE FAMILIES ARE VETTED, RECRUITED, TRAINED, SELECTED, AND SUPPORTED TO FACILITATE SUCCESSFUL ADOPTIONS OF KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. IN 2019, 100% OF ADOPTIONS WERE FINALIZED WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE CHILD JOINING THEIR FOREVER FAMILY.FAMILY SEARCH & ENGAGEMENT (FSE) WORKS WITH DELAWARE YOUTH AGES 10 TO 17 WHO ARE AT RISK OF AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE, EITHER TO CONNECT THEM TO A SUPPORT SYSTEM OF EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS OR OTHER CARING ADULTS, FOR PERMANENT PLACEMENT, OR FOR SUPPORT DURING TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE. IN 2019, 68% OF PARTICIPATING YOUTH MADE CONNECTIONS WITH CARING ADULTS AND FAMILY. STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAM (SFP) AND NURTURING PARENTING PROGRAM (NPP) ARE EVIDENCE-BASED FAMILY SKILLS PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PREVENT AND TREAT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT BY TEACHING FAMILIES POSITIVE AND CARING NURTURING SKILLS. THE 14-WEEK SMALL GROUP CLASSES ARE 2.5 HOURS EACH. SESSIONS INCLUDE DEDICATED TIME FOR PARENTS TO LEARN SKILLS ON THEIR OWN AND THEN PRACTICE THEM WITH THEIR CHILDREN. TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION, WE PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION AS NEEDED, AND CHILD CARE FOR SIBLINGS OF THE IDENTIFIED CHILD. ALL GROUPS START WITH A FAMILY MEAL, WHICH IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN TO BOND AND PRACTICE SKILLS THEY ARE LEARNING. THE PROGRAMS ARE DELIVERED IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS BY TRAINED EDUCATORS, AND CUSTOMIZED BY THE CHILD'S AGE GROUP (NPP: BIRTH TO 3; SFP: 4-5, 6-11, AND 12-17 YEARS OF AGE). IN 2019, 79% OF CAREGIVERS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED SFP AND 85% COMPLETED NPP. OF PARENTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED SFP, 94% DEMONSTRATED IMPROVED KNOWLEDGE ACROSS AT LEAST TWO PARENTING DOMAINS AND 100% OF AT-RISK PARENTS REDUCED BELIEF IN CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. OF THOSE WHO COMPLETED NPP, 77% DEMONSTRATED IMPROVED KNOWLEDGE ACROSS AT LEAST TWO PARENTING DOMAINS AND 100% OF AT-RISK PARENTS REDUCED BELIEF IN CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

EARLY CHILDHOOD - DELAWARE STARS FOR EARLY SUCCESS (DE STARS) IS THE STATE'S QUALITY RATING SYSTEM FOR CHILD CARE, DESIGNED TO IMPROVE HOME- AND CENTER- BASED PROGRAMS. THIS VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION SYSTEM HELPS PROGRAMS -OFTEN LOCATED IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES - IMPROVE QUALITY BY ENGAGING THEM THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS. THROUGHOUT 2019, 48 PROGRAMS DEMONSTRATED IMPROVED QUALITY BY MOVING UP AT LEAST ONE STAR LEVEL, INCLUDING 5 THAT IMPROVED TO REACH THE HIGHEST RATING, STAR LEVEL 5.THE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP) ASSURES THAT CHILDREN CARED FOR BY LICENSED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND CENTERS, OFTEN LOCATED IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, RECEIVE NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED MEALS. CFF STAFF MONITORS PROVIDE NUTRITION, FOOD PREPARATION, SAFETY, AND OTHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION, AND VISIT EACH FACILITY AT LEAST THREE TIMES PER YEAR. IN ADDITION, THE CACFP REIMBURSES CHILD CARE PROVIDERS FOR MEALS THAT FOLLOW STRINGENT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NUTRITION GUIDELINES. IN 2019, 861,223 NUTRITIOUS MEALS WERE SERVED TO CHILDREN BY PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS. THE CAPACITY PROGRAM SUPPORTS CHILD CARE PROGRAMS STATEWIDE WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SMALL GRANTS TO PREPARE THEM TO PARTICIPATE SUCCESSFULLY IN DE STARS. IN 2019, CFF SUPPORTED 41 PROGRAMS, WHICH MADE ENHANCEMENTS THAT IMPROVED A COMBINED 917 EXISTING CHILDCARE SLOTS IN FOUR CRITICAL AREAS: INFANT/TODDLER CARE, NON-TRADITIONAL HOURS OF OPERATION, SERVICES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN, AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

SUPPORTING TEENS - ARC (ADOLESCENT RESOURCE CENTER) PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL-BASED GROUP HUMAN SEXUALITY EDUCATION AND CLINIC-BASED INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING AND MEDICAL SERVICE FOR TEENS IN ORDER TO DECREASE RISK-TAKING AND PROMOTE HEALTHY CHOICES. CLINIC SERVICES INCLUDE CONTRACEPTION; TESTING AND TREATMENT FOR SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES; PREGNANCY CONFIRMATION; AND REFERRALS TO MEDICAL SERVICES OR ONGOING INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY COUNSELING NOT AVAILABLE AT THE CLINIC. IN 2019, YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN SCHOOL-BASED ARC EDUCATION KNEW 77% OF INFORMATION AT POST-TEST COMPARED WITH 43% AT PRE-TEST; AND 96% OF YOUTH DIAGNOSED WITH AND STD IN ARC CLINICS WERE TREATED IN A TIMELY MANNER. FUNCTIONAL FAMILY THERAPY (FFT) IS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY, EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION TO HELP YOUTH (AGES 10-18) AND THEIR FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS AND FAMILY CONFLICT, IMPROVE COMMUNICATION, RELATIONSHIPS, AND FAMILY FUNCTIONING. THE THREE PHASES OF FFT (ENGAGEMENT AND MOTIVATION, TARGETED BEHAVIOR CHANGE, AND RELAPSE PREVENTION) ARE DELIVERED BY COUNSELORS TRAINED IN THE MODEL, GENERALLY IN THE FAMILY HOME FOR 3-6 MONTHS. IN 2019, 63% OF FAMILIES SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE HOME-BASED THERAPY AND 88% OF FAMILIES REPORTED RELATIONSHIP IMPROVEMENT. MOBILE OUTPATIENT SERVICES (MOPS) IS AN INTENSIVE INTERVENTION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES BOTH INDIVIDUAL THERAPY AND FFT BY TRAINED COUNSELORS FOR YOUTH WITH A PRIMARY MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES, IN CONJUNCTION WITH CASE MANAGEMENT AND PSYCHIATRIC CARE FOR YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN 2019, 100% OF MOPS YOUTH WERE DISCHARGED TO A LOWER LEVEL OF CARE AND 100% OF PARENTS PARTICIPATING IN FAMILY THERAPY REPORTED IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS. FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION RESPONSE (FAIR) IS PART OF THE STATE DIVISION OF FAMILY SERVICES' DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE SYSTEM, DESIGNED TO PREVENT TEENS FROM ENTERING FOSTER CARE THROUGH THE USE OF EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING FFT AND FAMILY KEYS FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM. FAIR IS DELIVERED BY CFF COUNSELORS TRAINED IN THESE EVIDENCE-BASED MODELS. OF THE 478 FAMILIES ASSESSED BY FAIR IN 2019, 433 ENROLLED, AND 100% SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PROGRAM. SEAFORD HOUSE THERAPEUTIC RESIDENCE (SHTR) IS A 16-BED GROUP RESIDENCE FOR YOUTH AGES 12 TO 17 WHO ARE IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DIVISION OF FAMILY SERVICES AND ARE UNABLE TO BE SERVED IN HOME-BASED FOSTER CARE. THE PROGRAM OFFERS STRENGTH-BASED THERAPEUTIC SUPPORTS BY TRAINED CLINICIANS; BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT; AND SKILLS TRAINING IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. IN 2019, 75% OF YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN PRE-SOCIAL ACTIVITIES LIKE SCHOOL CLUBS, JOBS, OR VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES. OF YOUTH WHOSE DISCHARGES WERE PLANNED, 86% WERE SUCCESSFUL, WITH YOUTH TRANSITIONING TO INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAMS OR REUNIFYING WITH THEIR FAMILIES. GRIEF SUPPORTS (HEALING PATHWAYS AND GUIDING PATHWAYS) INCLUDE DEVELOPMENTALLY-APPROPRIATE 6-WEEK BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP FOR DELAWARE CHILDREN AGES 5-18 GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A PARENT, CAREGIVER, OR SIBLING, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS AND GRIEF THERAPY FOR CHILDREN. IN 2019, WE OFFERED SPECIAL SESSIONS THAT INCLUDED COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS, FAMILY FUN NIGHT, AND BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT. YOUTH AND PARENTS WHO PARTICIPATED RATED THE SERVICES HIGHLY.BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT AND THERAPEUTIC SUPPORTS TO CHILDREN IN 30 MIDDLE SCHOOLS ACROSS DELAWARE. OUR CONTRACT FOR SERVICES BEGAN IN OCTOBER 2019, WITH A HIRING PROCESS THAT CONTINUED INTO 2020. CLIENT-LEVEL SERVICE DATA WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 20202.COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY IN SCHOOLS (CBITS) AND BOUNCE BACK (BB) ARE EVIDENCE-BASED, DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY INTERVENTIONS FOR ELEMENTARY (BB), MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (CBITS) TRAUMATIZED BY VIOLENCE, TO REDUCE SYMPTOMS OF PTSD, DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY, AND TO ENHANCE SKILLS TO HANDLE FUTURE STRESSES. CBITS AND BB PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING AND A STANDARDIZED TRAUMA CURRICULUM, DELIVERED AT SCHOOLS BY MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS AND/OR LICENSED THERAPISTS IN 10 WEEKLY SMALL GROUP SESSIONS. IN 2019, 74% OF YOUTH ENROLLED SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED CBITS/BOUNCE BACK, WITH 73% IMPROVING THEIR TRAUMA SYMPTOMS.

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