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Suspected Overdose Deaths for May in Delaware Set New Monthly High Total Date Posted: June 8, 2022
Student State Board of Education Member Application Due June 24 Date Posted: June 8, 2022
Delaware Natural Resources Police Youth Fishing Tournament Winners Announced Date Posted: June 8, 2022
Summer of Opportunity Date Posted: June 8, 2022
Funding Available for Tree-Planting Projects Date Posted: June 7, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: William Hare Master Potter Date Posted: June 6, 2022
DNREC to Present Living Shoreline Social Marketing Webinar June 16 Date Posted: June 6, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Judicial Nominations Date Posted: June 3, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Releases The First of Nineteen Reports on Delaware’s Public School Staffing Levels Date Posted: June 3, 2022
DNREC to Propose Major Source Air Pollution Permit Renewal for Delaware City Refining Company Date Posted: June 3, 2022
Governor Carney, Members of the General Assembly Announce Gun Safety Package Date Posted: June 2, 2022
Delaware African and Caribbean Affairs Commission Celebrates National Caribbean-American Heritage Month Date Posted: June 2, 2022
New Website Helps Families Find Summer Opportunities for Their Children Date Posted: June 2, 2022
FREE New Castle History Camp, July 25–29, 2022 Date Posted: June 2, 2022
Prohibición ampliada de las bolsas de plástico para llevar en vigor el 1.° de julio de 2022 Date Posted: June 2, 2022
Enhanced Plastic Carryout Bag Ban in Effect July 1, 2022 Date Posted: June 2, 2022
Stay Cool, Hydrated, And Informed to Prevent Heat-Related Illness Date Posted: June 1, 2022
Division Of Public Health Launches New Delaware WIC Educational Website Date Posted: June 1, 2022
El Programa P-EBT de Delaware se Expandió a Niños Menores de 6 Años en Hogares Que Reciben SNAP Date Posted: June 1, 2022
Delaware’s P-EBT Program Expanded to Children Under Age 6 in Households Receiving SNAP Date Posted: June 1, 2022
DNREC, Division of Public Health Offer Tips About Ticks Date Posted: June 1, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Explorations through Materiality” by Samara Weaver Date Posted: June 1, 2022
Program to Help Foster Youth Pursue Higher Education Date Posted: May 31, 2022
Governor Carney, First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney Announce Compassionate Champion Awardees Date Posted: May 31, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Pierre S. du Pont IV: Governor of Delaware 1977-1985 Date Posted: May 31, 2022
Delaware State Parks Expected to Set Visitation Record Date Posted: May 27, 2022
Division of the Arts Announces the 2022 “Award Winners” Exhibition Dates Date Posted: May 27, 2022
Delaware Child Care Professional Bonus Registry Now Open Date Posted: May 27, 2022
New DMV Support Pollinator Plate Creating a Buzz Date Posted: May 26, 2022
Milford School Psychologist Delaware 2022 Behavioral Health Professional Of Year Date Posted: May 26, 2022
DNREC Announces Beach Access Closures Due to Storm Damage Date Posted: May 26, 2022
Memorial Day Ceremonial Events Date Posted: May 26, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: May 26, 2022
In Another Likely Consequence of Pandemic, Delaware Overdose Deaths Increase 15% in 2021 Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Governor Carney Terminates Limited State of Emergency in Kent County Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia Mensuales el 26 de Mayo Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits On May 26 Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Governor’s Summer Fellowship Program Date Posted: May 25, 2022
New Tram Path, Other Improvements to Greet Fort Delaware State Park Visitors This Season Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Historical Affairs Programs In June 2022 Date Posted: May 25, 2022
May 29th is 529 Day Date Posted: May 25, 2022
‘Take A Kid Fishing!’ Events Announced Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Flag Lowering for the Victims at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Governor Carney Activates Emergency Management Assistance Compact to Support Emergency Response to Barge Fire Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Governor Carney Vetoes House Bill 371 Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Crews Work to Contain Fire on Barge in Delaware Bay Date Posted: May 23, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: East of the Mason-Dixon Line by Roger E. Nathan Date Posted: May 23, 2022
DPH Encourages Delawareans To Consider Masking In Public Amid Rising Covid-19 Cases Date Posted: May 21, 2022
2021 U.S. Road Fatalities Projected Highest in 16 Years, Delaware at 15-year High Date Posted: May 20, 2022
DHSS to Partner with Habitat for Humanity on Pilot Program for Minor Home Repairs for Older Delawareans Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Click It or Ticket Campaign Reminds Drivers: Buckle Up Every Trip, Every Time Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Public Encouraged to Avoid ‘Rescuing’ Young Wildlife Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Nonprofit Security Grant Applications Due June 1, 2022 Date Posted: May 17, 2022
Delaware’s Plastic Carryout Bag Ban July 1, 2022 Date Posted: May 17, 2022
DPH Offers Guidance And Resources On How To Navigate The Infant Formula Supply Shortage Date Posted: May 17, 2022
DNREC Names Two to Leadership Roles Date Posted: May 17, 2022
Governor Carney Honors Four Century Farm Families, 2022 Marks 35th Year of Delaware Century Farm Program Date Posted: May 16, 2022
Governor Carney Tests Positive for COVID-19 Date Posted: May 16, 2022
Holodick Names Top High School Seniors 2022 Secretary Scholars Date Posted: May 16, 2022
With Delaware Bay Beach Nourishment Projects Complete, DNREC Now Works Toward Restoring Atlantic Coastline Date Posted: May 16, 2022
DE Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Captain Thomas Macdonough Date Posted: May 16, 2022
School Behavioral Health Professionals Honored Date Posted: May 16, 2022
‘The Wooden World Revealed’ at Lewes’ Zwaanendael Museum Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Concord Pond to Be Treated for Invasive Aquatic Weed Hydrilla Date Posted: May 13, 2022
DNREC To Update Vehicle Emission Testing Requirements Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Dr. Karyl Rattay Announces Departure From Delaware Division Of Public Health Effective June 30, 2022 Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Delaware Extends Electric Vehicle Rebate Program Date Posted: May 12, 2022
High Path Avian Influenza Confirmed In Black Vultures, Poultry Producers Encouraged To Take Precautions Date Posted: May 11, 2022
Governor Carney Signs Paid Family Leave Legislation Date Posted: May 11, 2022
Tonieboxes Now Available for Children at Delaware Libraries Date Posted: May 11, 2022
McGuiness’s National COVID-19 Data Quality Audit Template Shapes Public Emergency Response Efforts Countrywide Date Posted: May 10, 2022
DNREC, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays To Host Water Family Fest Saturday, May 14 Date Posted: May 10, 2022
ICYMI: Dolly Parton in Delaware for the Imagination Library Statewide Celebration Date Posted: May 9, 2022
DPH Diabetes & Heart Disease Prevention & Control Program Sponsors 20th Annual Diabetes Wellness Expo Date Posted: May 9, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: Allen McLane – Patriot, Solider, Spy, Port Collector Date Posted: May 9, 2022
US Wind and Ørsted Conducting Offshore Wind Research Date Posted: May 9, 2022
Gov. Carney Celebrates 150th Arbor Day in Rehoboth Beach Date Posted: May 6, 2022
Division of Small Business Launches Innovative New Website Service Designed to Support Delaware’s Small Businesses Date Posted: May 6, 2022
DNREC, DEMA Sponsor Delaware Flood Awareness Week Date Posted: May 6, 2022
Delaware Changes Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Recreational Fishing Regulations Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DHSS Releases Second Annual Health Care Benchmark Trend Report Date Posted: May 5, 2022
Drivers Needed for DART’s Upcoming Beach Bus Season Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DHSS Launches State Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DTI Announces New Chief Of Administration And Broadband Manager Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DNREC’s Monitoring Shows Overall Good Air Quality in Delaware Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Columbus Organization Will Continue to Connect Individuals to Services, Supports Date Posted: May 4, 2022
May Is Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month; May 19 Hepatitis Testing Day Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Governor Carney Proclaims May 2022 as Trauma Awareness Month Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Attorney General Jennings Announces $141 Million TurboTax Settlement Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Natural World On Display At Buena Vista On May 14, 2022 Date Posted: May 4, 2022
DNREC’s A-Street Ditch PCB Cleanup Pilot: Two Years in, Results Show Continued Gains Against Pollutants Date Posted: May 3, 2022
Dept of Labor Teams Up with Community Partners to Offer Job Seekers Career Support Date Posted: May 3, 2022
DCRPT Secures Prison Sentence in Sussex County Hate Crime Date Posted: May 3, 2022
DNREC Urges Clean Alternatives to Burning Yard Waste Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Public Service Recognition Week, May 1-7 Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week – Democracy in Delaware: The Story of the First State’s General Assembly Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long to Hold COVID-19 Remembrance Memorial Ceremony in Dover Date Posted: April 29, 2022
State Auditor Kathy McGuiness Releases Report Announcing Delaware Erases Rape Kit Backlog Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Charter School of Wilmington Wins Championship in 2022 Delaware Envirothon Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Suspected Overdose Deaths for May in Delaware Set New Monthly High Total Date Posted: June 8, 2022
Student State Board of Education Member Application Due June 24 Date Posted: June 8, 2022
Delaware Natural Resources Police Youth Fishing Tournament Winners Announced Date Posted: June 8, 2022
Summer of Opportunity Date Posted: June 8, 2022
Funding Available for Tree-Planting Projects Date Posted: June 7, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: William Hare Master Potter Date Posted: June 6, 2022
DNREC to Present Living Shoreline Social Marketing Webinar June 16 Date Posted: June 6, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Judicial Nominations Date Posted: June 3, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Releases The First of Nineteen Reports on Delaware’s Public School Staffing Levels Date Posted: June 3, 2022
DNREC to Propose Major Source Air Pollution Permit Renewal for Delaware City Refining Company Date Posted: June 3, 2022
Governor Carney, Members of the General Assembly Announce Gun Safety Package Date Posted: June 2, 2022
Delaware African and Caribbean Affairs Commission Celebrates National Caribbean-American Heritage Month Date Posted: June 2, 2022
New Website Helps Families Find Summer Opportunities for Their Children Date Posted: June 2, 2022
FREE New Castle History Camp, July 25–29, 2022 Date Posted: June 2, 2022
Prohibición ampliada de las bolsas de plástico para llevar en vigor el 1.° de julio de 2022 Date Posted: June 2, 2022
Enhanced Plastic Carryout Bag Ban in Effect July 1, 2022 Date Posted: June 2, 2022
Stay Cool, Hydrated, And Informed to Prevent Heat-Related Illness Date Posted: June 1, 2022
Division Of Public Health Launches New Delaware WIC Educational Website Date Posted: June 1, 2022
El Programa P-EBT de Delaware se Expandió a Niños Menores de 6 Años en Hogares Que Reciben SNAP Date Posted: June 1, 2022
Delaware’s P-EBT Program Expanded to Children Under Age 6 in Households Receiving SNAP Date Posted: June 1, 2022
DNREC, Division of Public Health Offer Tips About Ticks Date Posted: June 1, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Explorations through Materiality” by Samara Weaver Date Posted: June 1, 2022
Program to Help Foster Youth Pursue Higher Education Date Posted: May 31, 2022
Governor Carney, First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney Announce Compassionate Champion Awardees Date Posted: May 31, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Pierre S. du Pont IV: Governor of Delaware 1977-1985 Date Posted: May 31, 2022
Delaware State Parks Expected to Set Visitation Record Date Posted: May 27, 2022
Division of the Arts Announces the 2022 “Award Winners” Exhibition Dates Date Posted: May 27, 2022
Delaware Child Care Professional Bonus Registry Now Open Date Posted: May 27, 2022
New DMV Support Pollinator Plate Creating a Buzz Date Posted: May 26, 2022
Milford School Psychologist Delaware 2022 Behavioral Health Professional Of Year Date Posted: May 26, 2022
DNREC Announces Beach Access Closures Due to Storm Damage Date Posted: May 26, 2022
Memorial Day Ceremonial Events Date Posted: May 26, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: May 26, 2022
In Another Likely Consequence of Pandemic, Delaware Overdose Deaths Increase 15% in 2021 Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Governor Carney Terminates Limited State of Emergency in Kent County Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia Mensuales el 26 de Mayo Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits On May 26 Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Governor’s Summer Fellowship Program Date Posted: May 25, 2022
New Tram Path, Other Improvements to Greet Fort Delaware State Park Visitors This Season Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Historical Affairs Programs In June 2022 Date Posted: May 25, 2022
May 29th is 529 Day Date Posted: May 25, 2022
‘Take A Kid Fishing!’ Events Announced Date Posted: May 25, 2022
Flag Lowering for the Victims at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Governor Carney Activates Emergency Management Assistance Compact to Support Emergency Response to Barge Fire Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Governor Carney Vetoes House Bill 371 Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Crews Work to Contain Fire on Barge in Delaware Bay Date Posted: May 23, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: East of the Mason-Dixon Line by Roger E. Nathan Date Posted: May 23, 2022
DPH Encourages Delawareans To Consider Masking In Public Amid Rising Covid-19 Cases Date Posted: May 21, 2022
2021 U.S. Road Fatalities Projected Highest in 16 Years, Delaware at 15-year High Date Posted: May 20, 2022
DHSS to Partner with Habitat for Humanity on Pilot Program for Minor Home Repairs for Older Delawareans Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Click It or Ticket Campaign Reminds Drivers: Buckle Up Every Trip, Every Time Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Public Encouraged to Avoid ‘Rescuing’ Young Wildlife Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Nonprofit Security Grant Applications Due June 1, 2022 Date Posted: May 17, 2022
Delaware’s Plastic Carryout Bag Ban July 1, 2022 Date Posted: May 17, 2022
DPH Offers Guidance And Resources On How To Navigate The Infant Formula Supply Shortage Date Posted: May 17, 2022
DNREC Names Two to Leadership Roles Date Posted: May 17, 2022
Governor Carney Honors Four Century Farm Families, 2022 Marks 35th Year of Delaware Century Farm Program Date Posted: May 16, 2022
Governor Carney Tests Positive for COVID-19 Date Posted: May 16, 2022
Holodick Names Top High School Seniors 2022 Secretary Scholars Date Posted: May 16, 2022
With Delaware Bay Beach Nourishment Projects Complete, DNREC Now Works Toward Restoring Atlantic Coastline Date Posted: May 16, 2022
DE Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Captain Thomas Macdonough Date Posted: May 16, 2022
School Behavioral Health Professionals Honored Date Posted: May 16, 2022
‘The Wooden World Revealed’ at Lewes’ Zwaanendael Museum Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Concord Pond to Be Treated for Invasive Aquatic Weed Hydrilla Date Posted: May 13, 2022
DNREC To Update Vehicle Emission Testing Requirements Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Dr. Karyl Rattay Announces Departure From Delaware Division Of Public Health Effective June 30, 2022 Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Delaware Extends Electric Vehicle Rebate Program Date Posted: May 12, 2022
High Path Avian Influenza Confirmed In Black Vultures, Poultry Producers Encouraged To Take Precautions Date Posted: May 11, 2022
Governor Carney Signs Paid Family Leave Legislation Date Posted: May 11, 2022
Tonieboxes Now Available for Children at Delaware Libraries Date Posted: May 11, 2022
McGuiness’s National COVID-19 Data Quality Audit Template Shapes Public Emergency Response Efforts Countrywide Date Posted: May 10, 2022
DNREC, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays To Host Water Family Fest Saturday, May 14 Date Posted: May 10, 2022
ICYMI: Dolly Parton in Delaware for the Imagination Library Statewide Celebration Date Posted: May 9, 2022
DPH Diabetes & Heart Disease Prevention & Control Program Sponsors 20th Annual Diabetes Wellness Expo Date Posted: May 9, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: Allen McLane – Patriot, Solider, Spy, Port Collector Date Posted: May 9, 2022
US Wind and Ørsted Conducting Offshore Wind Research Date Posted: May 9, 2022
Gov. Carney Celebrates 150th Arbor Day in Rehoboth Beach Date Posted: May 6, 2022
Division of Small Business Launches Innovative New Website Service Designed to Support Delaware’s Small Businesses Date Posted: May 6, 2022
DNREC, DEMA Sponsor Delaware Flood Awareness Week Date Posted: May 6, 2022
Delaware Changes Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Recreational Fishing Regulations Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DHSS Releases Second Annual Health Care Benchmark Trend Report Date Posted: May 5, 2022
Drivers Needed for DART’s Upcoming Beach Bus Season Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DHSS Launches State Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DTI Announces New Chief Of Administration And Broadband Manager Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DNREC’s Monitoring Shows Overall Good Air Quality in Delaware Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Columbus Organization Will Continue to Connect Individuals to Services, Supports Date Posted: May 4, 2022
May Is Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month; May 19 Hepatitis Testing Day Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Governor Carney Proclaims May 2022 as Trauma Awareness Month Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Attorney General Jennings Announces $141 Million TurboTax Settlement Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Natural World On Display At Buena Vista On May 14, 2022 Date Posted: May 4, 2022
DNREC’s A-Street Ditch PCB Cleanup Pilot: Two Years in, Results Show Continued Gains Against Pollutants Date Posted: May 3, 2022
Dept of Labor Teams Up with Community Partners to Offer Job Seekers Career Support Date Posted: May 3, 2022
DCRPT Secures Prison Sentence in Sussex County Hate Crime Date Posted: May 3, 2022
DNREC Urges Clean Alternatives to Burning Yard Waste Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Public Service Recognition Week, May 1-7 Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week – Democracy in Delaware: The Story of the First State’s General Assembly Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long to Hold COVID-19 Remembrance Memorial Ceremony in Dover Date Posted: April 29, 2022
State Auditor Kathy McGuiness Releases Report Announcing Delaware Erases Rape Kit Backlog Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Charter School of Wilmington Wins Championship in 2022 Delaware Envirothon Date Posted: April 28, 2022
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Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families | News | Date Posted: Wednesday, March 30, 2022
WILMINGTON – Child abuse is your issue. That’s the key message from the 2022 Child Abuse Prevention Month awareness campaign debuting this April.
A collaboration of the Child Protection Accountability Commission’s Training Committee, this multi-faceted campaign seeks to raise awareness on social media and utilize DART bus shelters, state agency buildings, the Christiana Mall and Tanger Outlets to share messages. The campaign messaging is two-fold – how to recognize the signs and take action (call the report line) and how we all work together to prevent child abuse and neglect in the first place.
“Child Abuse Prevention Month is officially recognized once a year but our goal with this campaign is to foster awareness year-long. We know that by building up a family’s protective factors – ensuring safety, resiliency and support – we can help prevent negative outcomes,” said Rosie Morales, Chief Policy Advisor for the Delaware Office of the Child Advocate and Chair of the CPAC Training Committee. “As we commemorate the month, I encourage everyone to take action. You can take small steps today to make a big difference tomorrow: Learn about community-focused prevention measures to help a family in need, become Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), participate in the virtual child abuse mandatory reporting training, or simply save the report line number in your phone. Child abuse prevention takes a community. We can accomplish so much, together.”
April is traditionally recognized in Delaware and around the country as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Led by Prevent Child Abuse America, the national awareness campaign “Growing a Better Tomorrow for All Children, Together” brings together communities and resources to protect and support strong, safe and resilient families. As we recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic, those resources are even more important. When families struggle to have basic needs met such as employment, housing, food and more, family conflict and stressors rise. Providing support for both caregivers and youth can relieve that stress.
“Now more than ever, we need to band together in collective ways that help our families and children thrive. Too often, our society thinks of raising healthy children as a parent or caregiver’s responsibility alone,” said Kellie Turner, Prevent Child Abuse Delaware Interim Executive Director. “In reality, we all benefit when groups of people work together to collectively care for children.”
While reports to the Delaware Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line have rebounded in the months since the pandemic began – in Fiscal Year 2021 there were 20,543 reports – it is imperative to continue to raise awareness. If you are concerned about a child’s safety, don’t hesitate; call the report line at 1-800-292-9582 or make a report online at iseethesigns.org.
“While a phone call to the Delaware Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line is normally viewed as a negative or punitive action, the narrative should really be about helping and supporting families who have struggles. Every family has struggles; there is no shame and there is help in a time of need,” said Trenee Parker, Director of the Delaware Division of Family Services. “The intervention provided by the Division of Family Services can help a family to make positive changes that result in safer children and families who thrive well on their own. We can all make a difference in a child’s life, and we are thankful for our strong network of community partners committed to helping children grow a better tomorrow.”
Here is how to raise awareness and educate during Child Abuse Prevention Month:
Nurture protective factors for parents and caregivers. Research shows that protective factors support children and families having positive outcomes and a decreased risk for neglect and abuse. Protective factors include:
Share resources that build resiliency. Connecting families to resources that meet their basic needs like employment, housing, and food, can help alleviate stressors.
Educate yourself on the signs of child abuse or neglect. Participate in the Protecting Delaware’s Children webinar series and/or the live/virtual Mandatory Reporting Training on 4/21.
Learn how to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Call 1-800-292-9582 to make a report of child abuse or neglect. Use the online portal iseethesigns.org to submit reports via any mobile device or desktop computer. These services are available 24/7, and reporters can choose to remain anonymous.
Wear blue on April 1! Wear Blue Day shows support for children and families. Post a photo or video on social media and include the #WearBlueDay2022 hashtag.
Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line: Call 1-800-292-9582 or go to iseethesigns.org
24/7 Youth Crisis Support (youth mental health crisis help): Call 1-800-969-HELP(4357)
Crisis Text Line for Youth: Text DE to 741-741
Office of the Child Advocate
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: Jen Rini, jen.rini@delaware.gov
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families | News | Date Posted: Wednesday, March 30, 2022
WILMINGTON – Child abuse is your issue. That’s the key message from the 2022 Child Abuse Prevention Month awareness campaign debuting this April.
A collaboration of the Child Protection Accountability Commission’s Training Committee, this multi-faceted campaign seeks to raise awareness on social media and utilize DART bus shelters, state agency buildings, the Christiana Mall and Tanger Outlets to share messages. The campaign messaging is two-fold – how to recognize the signs and take action (call the report line) and how we all work together to prevent child abuse and neglect in the first place.
“Child Abuse Prevention Month is officially recognized once a year but our goal with this campaign is to foster awareness year-long. We know that by building up a family’s protective factors – ensuring safety, resiliency and support – we can help prevent negative outcomes,” said Rosie Morales, Chief Policy Advisor for the Delaware Office of the Child Advocate and Chair of the CPAC Training Committee. “As we commemorate the month, I encourage everyone to take action. You can take small steps today to make a big difference tomorrow: Learn about community-focused prevention measures to help a family in need, become Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), participate in the virtual child abuse mandatory reporting training, or simply save the report line number in your phone. Child abuse prevention takes a community. We can accomplish so much, together.”
April is traditionally recognized in Delaware and around the country as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Led by Prevent Child Abuse America, the national awareness campaign “Growing a Better Tomorrow for All Children, Together” brings together communities and resources to protect and support strong, safe and resilient families. As we recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic, those resources are even more important. When families struggle to have basic needs met such as employment, housing, food and more, family conflict and stressors rise. Providing support for both caregivers and youth can relieve that stress.
“Now more than ever, we need to band together in collective ways that help our families and children thrive. Too often, our society thinks of raising healthy children as a parent or caregiver’s responsibility alone,” said Kellie Turner, Prevent Child Abuse Delaware Interim Executive Director. “In reality, we all benefit when groups of people work together to collectively care for children.”
While reports to the Delaware Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line have rebounded in the months since the pandemic began – in Fiscal Year 2021 there were 20,543 reports – it is imperative to continue to raise awareness. If you are concerned about a child’s safety, don’t hesitate; call the report line at 1-800-292-9582 or make a report online at iseethesigns.org.
“While a phone call to the Delaware Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line is normally viewed as a negative or punitive action, the narrative should really be about helping and supporting families who have struggles. Every family has struggles; there is no shame and there is help in a time of need,” said Trenee Parker, Director of the Delaware Division of Family Services. “The intervention provided by the Division of Family Services can help a family to make positive changes that result in safer children and families who thrive well on their own. We can all make a difference in a child’s life, and we are thankful for our strong network of community partners committed to helping children grow a better tomorrow.”
Here is how to raise awareness and educate during Child Abuse Prevention Month:
Nurture protective factors for parents and caregivers. Research shows that protective factors support children and families having positive outcomes and a decreased risk for neglect and abuse. Protective factors include:
Share resources that build resiliency. Connecting families to resources that meet their basic needs like employment, housing, and food, can help alleviate stressors.
Educate yourself on the signs of child abuse or neglect. Participate in the Protecting Delaware’s Children webinar series and/or the live/virtual Mandatory Reporting Training on 4/21.
Learn how to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Call 1-800-292-9582 to make a report of child abuse or neglect. Use the online portal iseethesigns.org to submit reports via any mobile device or desktop computer. These services are available 24/7, and reporters can choose to remain anonymous.
Wear blue on April 1! Wear Blue Day shows support for children and families. Post a photo or video on social media and include the #WearBlueDay2022 hashtag.
Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line: Call 1-800-292-9582 or go to iseethesigns.org
24/7 Youth Crisis Support (youth mental health crisis help): Call 1-800-969-HELP(4357)
Crisis Text Line for Youth: Text DE to 741-741
Office of the Child Advocate
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: Jen Rini, jen.rini@delaware.gov
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
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