CORE SERVICES In 2013, CFF touched the lives of more than 40,000 individuals. The overwhelming majority (98%) of our stakeholders–clients, staff, donors and partners– would recommend CFF to others.
Healthy Babies Healthy babies become healthy children. We connect pregnant women with health care and social services to make sure that their babies are born healthy and stay healthy. The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is an evidence-based program using nurse home visitors to provide comprehensive services to low-income, first-time pregnant women. The nurse follows the family through the child’s second birthday. Staff prepare women for delivery and parenthood and offer ongoing support and mentoring. Once the baby is born, the nurse ensures that the family is connected to well-baby care. NFP has a range of positive outcomes, including decreased child abuse and neglect. Smart Start/Healthy Families America (HFA) helps expectant and new parents get their children off to a healthy start. HFA uses nurses and social workers as home visitors to provide parents an opportunity to get the education and support they need at the time their baby is born, until their child turns three. HFA can serve moms who do not meet NFP criteria.
Early Childhood The early years of a child's life form the foundation of his or her future. Our Capacity Program helps prepare eligible early care programs for Delaware Stars, the state’s quality-rating system for child care, which works to improve early-care and education. Our Infrastructure Fund provides eligible early-care programs with funding for facility enhancements and technology. The Child and Adult Care Food Program assures that children in licensed child care receive nutritionally balanced meals.
Positive Parenting Being a parent is one of the world’s most important jobs, and also one of the
toughest. We offer assistance to parents and children to build skills and improve family communication. The Strengthening Families Program, a research-based family skills training series, and Delaware Cares classes for divorcing parents, are designed to address the needs of vulnerable families and teach them positive, effective ways to interact. Our Parent Aide program serves families that have an open case with the Division of Family Services, matching them with a parenting coach to improve skills and stability. We also offer several referral services to connect individuals and families to resources within the community. We provide Foster Care and Adoption services to help ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children. Children and youth of all ages who have experienced abuse, trauma or neglect are placed with loving, trained families who can provide the security they need.
Supporting Teens The teen years can be difficult – young adults must navigate the uncharted waters of relationships, sexuality, and a variety of sensitive adolescent issues. For some teens, the challenges can be even more complex – mental health issues, truancy or even juvenile justice involvement. Youth ages 12 to 20 may participate in ARC (Adolescent Resource Center), either through educational sessions that meet during the school day or at our afterschool medical clinics. The goal is to help teens decrease risk-taking and promote healthy choices. CFF also offers a program for girls ages 9 to 18 called Girls Circle, an evidence-based, structured support group which works to increase positive connection, personal and collective strengths, and competence in girls. For youth ages 12 to 15, we offer the Young Health Program: IM40™, an ini-
tiative of AstraZeneca and the United Way, designed to build assets in youth and help them be successful. Family Search & Engagement works with youth ages 10 to 17 who are at-risk of aging out of foster care. The program helps these youth connect to family members or other caring adults, for permanent placement or ongoing support. We help keep teens out of foster care with our Family Assessment and Intervention Response (FAIR) program in partnership with the Delaware Division of Family Services. Our Functional Family Therapy program is an evidence-based family counseling intervention for youth between the ages of 10 and 18 and their families who are struggling with behavioral problems and family conflict. We also serve youth with a primary mental health diagnosis through our Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Services. IOP offers a combination of individual and family therapy in conjunction with case management and psychiatric care for youth and their families in Kent and Sussex Counties. Seaford House provides residential and day treatment to teens with mental health and behacioral issues who need more intensive supports.
Family Resources Strong families are the foundation of strong communities. Children & Families First is the lead partner in the Community Schools initiative, public-private partnerships targeting schools with high rates of poverty and poor academic performance in the Christina, Red Clay and Seaford school districts. Community Schools work to ensure that children arrive at school healthy and ready to learn; families and community members are fully
engaged as respected partners in the success of the children; and that the basic needs of children, their families, and neighbors are met. Our AccessCare Child Care Referral Service, a free service accessed online or by telephone, helps users identify child care centers, family and child care homes, preschools, school-age programs and camps. The Respite Online Referral Service allows caregivers to search for Delaware providers who offer care options for both child and adult respite care, and our Kinship Navigator is a free referral service for families who are caring for other relative’s children.
Workplace Supports Work plays a significant role in many of our lives. Children & Families First helps people find meaningful employment in Kent and Sussex Counties through our Rise Up/Keep-A-Job program. We also work with employers around the nation to provide back-up dependent care coverage through the Just in Time Care® program, so that last-minute dependent care emergencies don’t need to cause confusion and missed work days.
Older Adults Americans are living longer, more productive lives. Nearly one in eight Americans is age 65 or older. Grand Time Off provides respite for grandparents or relatives who are raising other family members’ children. Caregivers are helped to find and pay for short-term, occasional child-care needs. Our Elder Care Referral Service helps individuals identify service providers to meet older relatives’ needs and educational materials to help make informed choices.
OURMISSION 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.
OURVISION Communities where children are nurtured and safe; individuals are valued; and families are strong and self-sufficient.
How donors like
YOU HELPED
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POSITIVE PARENTING
85%
85% of families who finished the Strengthening Families Program reported an improvement in family communication.
163 children received care in the welcoming homes of our highly trained foster parents.
HEALTHY BABIES 89% of babies born in the Nurse Family Partnership program were at full gestational age, a significant indicator of infant health.
85% of babies born in the Healthy Families America/Smart Start program had a healthy birth weight.
The Child & Adult Care Food Program made it possible for child care centers and family child care homes to serve 1,157,119 healthy meals. Delaware Stars continued to improve child care quality, with 82 enrolled centers moving up one or more star levels. 10 programs moved to the highest rating of Star Level 5.
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EARLY CHILDHOOD
85% 82
100%
100% of special needs adoptions were finalized without disruptions.
FAMILY RESOURCES Analysis of 130 students who received targeted services from our Eastside Community Schools program reflected that 71% improved their grades to proficiency by the end of the school year. More than 10,000 child care, elder care, and respite care information requests were fulfilled through our free referral services.
99%
THE WORKPLACE 99% of those enrolled in the Just In Time Care™ service indicated they were able to get to work because of JITC™.
74% of clients in the Rise Up Welfare-to-Work program achieved 36 consecutive weeks of participation in employment or training.
SUPPORTING TEENS
17,281
ARC Education helped 17,281 young adults increase their knowledge about puberty, contraception, and responsible decision-making. 76% of teens and parents in our Functional Family Therapy program reported an improved relationship with each other.
SUPPORTING ELDERS 100% of Grand Time Off participants reported that the service met their needs & would recommend the service to others.