Community Resources

Delaware Ecumencial Council on Children and Families suggests that you call or visit the websites of the following organizations for additional help and support

I. Key Resources

• National Fatherhood Initiative – This is the major national service organization for responsible fatherhood resources.  Its mission is to improve the well-being of children by increasing the proportion of children growing up with involved, responsible, and committed fathers.  There is a strong public education component to their work.  They also offer a wide variety of resources, such as support and training programs for fathers.  Some of these are specifically designed for faith communities.
  • 301/948-0599 (voice)              301/948-4325 (fax)
  • www.fatherhood.org

• Office of Prevention and Early Intervention – This is a component of the State of Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families.   It is responsible for services aimed at preventing child abuse, dependency, neglect, juvenile delinquency, mental health disorders, and drug and alcohol abuse among children and youth.  In fulfillment of this mission, this agency provides training, resources, public education, services through contracts with community-based organizations, and direct services.  The Resource Center is a good source of quality educational materials on parenting, family life, prevention, etc.
  • 302/892-4505 (voice)

• Delaware Fatherhood/Family Coalition – This coalition of agencies and organizations was developed to build upon efforts to increase community collaboration and strengthen resources which support the involvement of residential and non-residential fathers in the lives of their children, build upon healthy adult relationships, and decrease the barriers that may challenge those efforts.  The coalition conducted a Responsible Fatherhood survey and promoted the results to influence both program development and public policy.

• Delaware Healthy Marriage Coalition – This coalition is a group of concerned and committed agencies, organizations and individuals that plan and implement healthy marriage education and training services for couples, families and those who work with them.  It helps those who choose marriage for themselves to acquire the knowledge and skills to achieve and sustain healthy relationships. 
  • 302/225-1040 (voice)              302/225-1041 (fax)
  • www.dhmi.org

• Delaware Helpline – This is a comprehensive guide to health and human services available in Delaware, not only those provided by public agencies but also those available from voluntary organizations.  Most services are delivered by telephone, but Delaware Helpline also publishes a useful Quick Reference Directory. 
  • 1-800/464-4357 (voice, statewide)
  • 1-800/273-9500 (voice, out-of-state)
  • 302/577-5740 (fax)
  • www.delawarehelpline.org

II. Local Programs and Services

These local agencies and organizations provide program services specifically appropriate for fathers.   See the following listing for contact information. 

• Catholic Charities – This organization provides a wide range of program services in support of family life, including professional counseling for individuals, couples and families; marriage preparation and enhancement; and help with domestic violence and substance abuse.  It is statewide, with offices in all three counties (and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland).

• Child, Inc. – This organization provides parenting skills training classes at locations throughout the State.  It also provides counseling services for fathers, help with problems related to domestic violence, and special co-parenting support and training for divorced or separated parents.  It is statewide.

• Daybreak Counseling Services – This organization delivers individual, couples, and family counseling; marriage preparation and enhancement services, and training for clergy and other family helpers.  It is statewide.

• Delaware Adolescent Program, Inc. – This organization provides comprehensive services for pregnant adolescents and adolescent parents.  It also leads the Fathers Matter coalition, and provides training services, public policy meetings, and other special events.  It is statewide. 

• Delaware Association for Children of Alcoholics – This specialized organization provides help with substance abuse issues, including prevention education and professional training.  There are also supportive services for children or partners affected by the addictions of their parents or partners.  It is statewide.

• Division of Child Support Enforcement – This State agency is part of the Department of Health and Social Services and provides help in obtaining, modifying or enforcing child support orders.  It helps fathers to establish paternity and supports efforts to promote responsible fatherhood.  It is also statewide. 

• Harvest Community Development Corporation – This organization provides support and education for fathers as well as marriage preparation and counseling services.  It serves the City of Wilmington. 

• Jewish Family Service of Delaware – This organization provides support, training and counseling for fathers as well as other parenting programs; marriage counseling, preparation and enhancement services, and help with domestic violence and substance abuse.  It serves primarily New Castle County.

• La Esperanza, Inc. – This organization includes a fatherhood component in a family life education and support program.  It provides parent education and support services as well as professional counseling, marriage preparation and enhancement services, and help with domestic violence issues.  It serves Sussex County with an emphasis on Latino families. 

• Parents Anonymous® - This program provides parent support and education, using a shared leadership model.  It also recruits, trains and deploys Parent Leaders.  It is statewide.  

III. Basic Community Resources

These are family support resources that clergy and other family helpers have told us are critical to promoting healthy adult relationships, including responsible fatherhood.

Employment Services:

          Delaware Division of Employment and Training
               Northern New Castle County…………...………………761-8085
               Southern New Castle County…………………………...368-6622
               Kent County……………………………………………..................739-5473
               Sussex County…………………………………………................856-5230
               Job Hotline (Statewide)……………………….…….800-414-5748

          State Personnel Employment Services
               New Castle County…………………………………............…..577-8277
               Kent County………………………………………….................….739-5458
               Sussex County…………………………………….…..............….856-5966
               24 Hour Jobline……………………………………..........800-345-1789

          Senior Community Service Employment Program
               New Castle County………………………….………............…..255-9390
               Sussex County…………………………………..................….......856-7761

          Latin American Community Center………………........655-7338

          Modern Maturity Center (Kent County seniors)..734-1200

          Neighborhood House Family Services )..................652-3928

               (South Wilmington)

         American Legion Services (veterans)……………......…998-9448

         YWCA Career Services (women)……………...............……..658-7161

• For more employment referrals, please call Delaware Helpline,

          800-464-4357.

Job Training Services:

          Delaware Skills Center…………………….…………...............…654-5392

          Job Skills Training Delaware Technical & Community College
                 New Castle County………………………………....……..571-5313
                 Kent County…………………………………………........….739-7313
                 Sussex County……………….……………………....…….856-5400

          Job Corps
               New Castle County………………………………........…..230-2572
               Kent/Sussex Counties………………………………...…..674-1109

           Professional Staffing Associates………………...……652-3519

          Senior Community Service Employment Program
               New Castle County………………………….……....……..255-9390
               Sussex County……………………………………........……..856-7761

          Sussex Tech Adult Education Division…………..….856-9035

          The Ministry of Caring………………………….................……..428-3702

• For more job training referrals, please call Delaware Helpline,

          800-464-4357.

Housing Services:

           Wilmington Housing Authority…………...…..…………429- 6700

           Wilmington Section 8……………………......….…..483-6703 ext. 10

           New Castle County Housing Assistance (Section 8)…...395-5600

           Delaware State Housing Authority (Kent/Sussex Counties)
                Kent County……………..…………………….......…..……..739-7416
                Sussex County……………………….......……….…….……337-0219

           Dover Housing Authority…………………...……..........……..678-1865

           Newark Housing Authority………………...……..…...........366-0826

          First State Community Action Agency
               New Castle County………………………….……...……..636-9070
               Kent County…………………………………………........…..674-1355
               Sussex County……………………………...………….........856-7761

          Latin American Community Center…………...………..655-7338

          WCCNPAC (West Center City Wilmington)……..…..….658-5320

          Kingswood Community Ctr (Northeast Wilmington)..764-9022

          River’s Edge Association (Wilmington)…….………655-1516

          Interfaith Housing…………..………………….................………..995-7428

          Habitat for Humanity
               New Castle County……………………………...……...…652-0365
               Kent County………………………………........……………..698-1939
               Sussex County………………………………..……….......…855-1153

          Neighborhood Housing Counseling Program (Wilmington)...652-3928

          Community Housing, Inc. ………..……………............….…….652-3991

          YWCA of New Castle County……...…………..........………....658-7161

 For more housing referrals, please call Delaware Helpline,
800-464-4357

• For more information about any referral, please visitwww.DelawareHelpline.org. 

Financial Literacy/Budget Counseling:

         First State Community Action Agency (Kent, Sussex Counties)
              Kent County…………………………...……………............…..674-1355
              Sussex County……………………………...………..........…...856-7761

         American Legion Services (veterans)………….………......998-9448

         Hockessin Community Center………………..….....................239-2363

         Neighborhood House (southern New Castle County)...378-7217

         Consumer Credit Counseling………………..........……800-642-2227

         Delaware Money Management Program (seniors, disabled)..800-223-9074

         YWCA Financial Literacy Program (women)…...…...…658-7161

          Nehemiah Gateway……………………..............……………….....655-0265

• For more financial assistance referrals, please call Delaware Helpline, 800-464-4357. 

Substance Abuse Intervention Services:

          Delaware Division of Substance Abuse & Mental Health....255-9399

          Brandywine Counseling……………………...…....................………656-2348

          Aquila Outpatient Treatment (adolescents)
                New Castle County………………………………….........…..999-1106
                Middletown……………………………………………...............376-8610
                Georgetown……………………………………………...............856-9746

          Child Mental Health & Substance Abuse Outpatient Services...800-722-7710

          1212 Corporation Drug Abuse Support Program….…764-4048

          Connections Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services...866-477-5345

          Kirkwood Detox Center……………...………….......................………691-0140

          Tau House (Georgetown)…………………………......................……..422-8338

          Claymont Treatment Center………………..................……….…792-0700

          Meadow Wood Hospital ……………..………....................…………328-3330

          Delaware Association for Children of Alcoholics
               New Castle County…………………………………..........…..656-5554
               Kent/Sussex Counties………………...…………….....877-302-2262

• For more substance abuse and mental health referrals, please call Delaware Helpline, 800-464-4357.

Marriage and Family Counseling:

           Catholic Charities Counseling Services
                New Castle County………………………………….........….656-0651
                Kent County………………………………………..............……674-1600
                Sussex County……………………………………...........…….856-9578

           Children and Families First
                New Castle County…………………………….........……….658-5177
                Kent County…………………………………….............………674-8384
                Sussex County…………………………………...........……….856-2388
                Statewide Intake……………………..………....…….800-734-2388

           Daybreak Counseling Services
                Northern New Castle County……….………………….448-1450
                Southern New Castle County…..………………………463-8636
                Sussex County………………………………………............….422-7021
                General Information………………………………......…….632-8842

           Delaware Guidance Services
                New Castle County………………………………….........….652-3948
                Kent County…………………………………………..............…678-3020
                Eastern Sussex County (Lewes)……………….…..….645-5338
                Western Sussex County (Seaford)……………………262-3505

          Family Counseling at Jewish Family Service…….……478-9411

          Delaware Family Center………….…………………...................….995-9600

• For more marriage and family counseling referrals, please call Delaware Helpline, 800-464-4357.
• For more information about any referral, please visitwww.DelawareHelpline.org or call 1-800-464-4357.

Domestic Violence Intervention Services:

            Catholic Charities………….…………………………......................…656-9624

            Child, Inc. (New Castle County)……...……...………..........….762-8989

            Peoples Place II (Kent, Sussex Counties)………..…….…422-8033

            YWCA of New Castle County…………………...….............…....658-7161

• For more domestic violence referrals, please call Delaware Helpline at 800-464-4357.

Parenting Services:

           Child, Inc.
                 New Castle County…………..………………………........….762-8989
                 Kent/Sussex Counties…………..…………………...800-874-2070

           Children and Families First
                 New Castle County………………………..…….........……….658-5177
                 Kent County…………………………………..……..............……674-8384
                 Sussex County…………………………………….….............….856-2388

           Jewish Family Service……………..…………………........................…478-9411

           Parents Anonymous®
                New Castle County……………………………..............………225-3011
                Kent County…………………………………………….................697-1087

• For more parenting referrals, please call Delaware Helpline at 800-464-4357.
• For more information about any referral, please visitwww.DelawareHelpline.org or call 1-800-464-4357.