Home Visiting

New Castle County Early Head Start

Kayla.Parker1@delaware.gov (Kayla Parker) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:07:56 GMT

The New Castle County Early Head Start program partners with pregnant individuals and families with children from birth to age 3, helping ensure every child gets the best possible start in life. Through weekly home visits, dedicated home visitors work alongside parents and caregivers to create nurturing, engaging learning environments that promote healthy development and build a strong foundation for school readiness.

Using everyday routines and activities as learning opportunities, families receive individualized coaching and support tailored to their child's unique strengths and needs. The program focuses on achieving school readiness goals while helping families identify developmental milestones, connect with community resources, and access goals and referral support.

In addition to weekly home visits, families benefit from developmental screenings and referrals, monthly parent-child socialization events that encourage learning through play and connection, and individualized planning and support for each child's growth and development.

The program also offers breastfeeding support and services, comprehensive family support, and services in both English and Spanish to meet the diverse needs of the community.
Serving families throughout New Castle County, Early Head Start is committed to empowering parents as their child's first and most important teacher while fostering healthy, thriving families and lifelong learning.

Busy Summer Days with DECC Home Visiting!

christine.hoeflicholley@lf.k12.de.us (Christine Hoeflich-Olley) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:07:56 GMT

This last quarter has been busy with DECC Parents as Teachers and New Directions Early Head Start! First we want to congratulate our Graduates, Ms. Sandra Glanden who received her BA degree in May, Mrs. Valerie Jolicouer who obtained her Home Visitor CDA this May, Ms. Cynthia Gonzales who also received her BA degree in May and to all our 23 PAT graduating families who will start Kindergarten this fall! We had a blast celebrating with all of you! DECC PAT partnered with the Georgetown Library this Spring to open a Stay & Play at the library! We held our first group in June and it was a packed house!

Catch our schedule on the Facebook page and join us in our new location on the 2nd floor! In June at the Laurel Library, we held a Sensory Saturday (mini messy play day) and then on July 23rd we held our annual Messy Night in Harrington, hosting over 30 families and 100 people! Harrington Stay & Play will open back up on August 11th at 10am! See you there! Follow us: Parents as Teachers, Delaware Early Childhood Center; New Directions Early Head Start-Kent Count or Delaware Early Childhood Center

Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) is Now Available Statewide in Delaware

lzajac@abcparenting.org (Lindsay Zajac) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:07:55 GMT

We have exciting news to share! ABC Parenting Institute has expanded in-person Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) services across Delaware, making it easier than ever for families to access this evidence-based program.

We now have parent coaches providing in-person and virtual ABC services in all three Delaware counties, and we're accepting referrals for English-, Spanish-, and Haitian Creole-speaking families.

ABC is a 10-session, strengths-based intervention for parents of young children (0 - 4 years). By strengthening responsive parenting, ABC helps build secure attachment relationships and supports children's emotional and behavioral regulation during a critical period of development.

ABC parent coaches can meet with families in their homes, other residential settings, private library rooms, or another location of the family's choosing. ABC can also be delivered over Zoom. Sessions are an hour-long, and families receive a $200 gift card upon completion of the program.

We're grateful for the incredible partnerships that have helped make this expansion possible and look forward to connecting with even more Delaware families.

If you know a family who could benefit from ABC, we'd love to hear from you! Visit our website to learn more:

Interested parents or referring providers can complete our interest form in English or Spanish. Please contact Lindsay Zajac if you have any questions or want to learn more (lzajac@abcparenting.org).

Annual Home Visiting Retreat

Kayla.Parker1@delaware.gov (Kayla Parker) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:07:54 GMT

Mark your calendar for this year’s Annual Home Visiting Retreat, a special day dedicated to celebrating the incredible professionals who make a difference in the lives of children and families every day.

This year’s theme, “Pathways, Partnerships, Possibilities: Building the Future of Home Visiting,” highlights the powerful connection between family partnerships, professional growth, and thriving communities. Together, we’ll explore new pathways for learning, opportunities to strengthen our partnerships, and possibilities for creating an even greater impact through home visiting.

Join us for a day filled with connection, celebration, learning, and growth as we come together to recognize the dedication and contributions of the home visiting workforce.

Throughout the retreat, you’ll have opportunities to:

Connect and network with fellow home visiting professionals
Explore opportunities for professional learning and growth
Celebrate the meaningful work happening across our communities
Participate in wellness activities designed to support you
Enjoy complimentary professional headshots
Take part in giveaways and other special activities
Discover new possibilities for strengthening our collective impact

Whether you’re new to home visiting or have been part of the field for years, this retreat is an opportunity to pause, reconnect, recharge, and look toward the future together.

We look forward to bringing the home visiting community together for a day of inspiration, connection, and celebration as we build the future of home visiting—one pathway, partnership, and possibility at a time.

Save the date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort.

More details and registration information will be shared soon.

Happy, Healthy, Lead-Free Me! Board Books

emily.thompson@delaware.gov (Emily Thompson) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:07:53 GMT

We're excited to share a valuable resource to help families learn about preventing childhood lead exposure.

Happy, Health, Lead-Free Me! is an engaging children's board book designed to introduce young children and their caregivers to the importance of lead safety in a fun, age-appropriate way. Through colorful illustrations and simple messaging, the book promotes healthy habits that can help reduce the risk of childhood lead exposure.

The book is available free of charge in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole through DE Thrives. Home Visiting partners are encouraged to order copies as needed and have them shipped directly to the location where they will be used. Shipping is provided at no cost, making it easy to keep this valuable resource on hand for families.

To request copies, visit DEThrives.com. A digital version of the book in English is also attached for your reference and to share with families electronically when appropriate.

Together, we can help children grow up happy, healthy, and lead-free!

Staff Spotlight

stephanie.wagner@polytech.k12.de.us (Stephanie Wagner) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:07:53 GMT

Meet Maria Mendoza, our newest Parent Educator at Polytech Parents as Teachers!

Third Quarterly Home Visiting Community Advisory Board Meeting

Kayla.Parker1@delaware.gov (Kayla Parker) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:07:52 GMT

Delaware’s home visiting and early childhood partners came together for a successful 3rd Quarterly Home Visiting Community Advisory Board (HV CAB) meeting to share updates, celebrate progress, and explore new ways to connect families with the support they need. Highlights included the upcoming evolution of the Delaware Family Support Hub into a more accessible, web-based resource featuring community resources, training opportunities, and events.

The Board also focused on using data to reach more families, including targeted outreach in Central Newark (Zone 9), and strengthening the connection between referrals and home visiting enrollment. Partners shared updates on expanded referral support, tangible resources for families, and increased capacity across programs. ABC Parenting has added 10 parent coaches and expanded statewide services, while Healthy Families Delaware, Parents as Teachers, and other programs reported available openings.

With new professional development opportunities, continued collaboration with DFS and community partners, and plans to incorporate family perspectives into statewide planning, there is plenty to look forward to. Together, Delaware’s home visiting community continues to strengthen connections, expand access, and make it easier for families to find the support they need to thrive.

A Bridge of Support During a Child's Heart Transplant Journey

laurie.joseph@cffde.org (Laurie Joseph) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:07:51 GMT

When a Healthy Families Delaware (HFD) participant learned that her young child would need a heart transplant, her family was suddenly faced with a life-threatening medical crisis. What followed was an extended hospitalization filled with uncertainty, countless medical appointments and procedures, and long days spent at the hospital waiting for the opportunity that could save her child's life.

Throughout this difficult journey, Belineda Jones, HFD Family Support Specialist (FSS) became a consistent source of support and encouragement for the mother. In addition to regular phone calls and text messages, Belineda made in-person visits to both the family's home and the hospital. These visits provided the mother with a trusted person who listened without judgment, offered emotional support, and helped her cope with the overwhelming stress and fear that accompanied her child's medical condition.

As the hospitalization continued, the mother often found herself navigating complex medical information and difficult decisions regarding her child's care. Through reflective conversations and strengths-based guidance, Belineda helped the mother build confidence in her ability to advocate for her child's needs. The Family Support Specialist encouraged her to ask questions, seek clarification when information was unclear, and actively participated in discussions with the medical team.

The trusting relationship between the mother and Family Support Specialist became so significant that the mother specifically requested Belineda’s presence during a family meeting with hospital staff. The mother felt Belineda understood her concerns and could help ensure her voice was heard during important conversations about her child's treatment and care plan. By attending these meetings, Belineda helped facilitate communication between the mother and healthcare providers, serving as a bridge that fostered collaboration and mutual understanding. This support empowered the mother to express her concerns, advocate for her child's needs, and actively engage in decision-making throughout the transplant journey.

In addition to emotional support and advocacy assistance, Belineda connected the family with financial assistance programs and community resources to help ease the burdens associated with the prolonged hospital stay. The family received support with transportation expenses, food assistance, and other financial resources that helped offset costs while the mother remained focused on her child's care and recovery. These connections provided much-needed relief during a time when the family's financial and emotional resources were being stretched.
After months of waiting, the family received the life-changing news that a donor heart had become available. The home visitor celebrated alongside the family throughout the transplant process and recovery, recognizing each milestone and providing encouragement during both setbacks and successes.

Today, the child continues to make progress following a successful heart transplant. The mother credits the consistent support of Belineda with helping her remain strong during one of the most challenging times in her life. Through compassionate support, advocacy, financial resource connections, and a steadfast presence, Belineda helped ensure that the mother felt heard, empowered, and supported while navigating her child's life-saving medical journey. This experience highlights the powerful role HFA home visitors play in strengthening families, promoting resilience, and helping parents overcome extraordinary challenges while advocating for their children's well-being.

Resource Spotlight: 1-833-TLC-MAMA National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Partner Toolkit

emily.thompson@delaware.gov (Emily Thompson) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:07:50 GMT

Home visitors play a vital role in supporting families during pregnancy and throughout the postpartum period. One important way to support caregivers is by promoting maternal mental health resources and encouraging families to seek help when they need it.

Maternal mental health refers to a pregnant or postpartum person's overall emotional, social, and mental well-being. Depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy are common, but they are treatable. Ensuring families know where to turn for support can make a meaningful difference.

The 1-833-TLC-MAMA National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential support through call, text, and online chat. Families can connect with trained counselors who offer emotional support, information, and referrals to local and telehealth services.

To help partners spread awareness, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Partner Toolkit offers a variety of ready-to-use resources that can be incorporated into home visits, community outreach, newsletters, social media, workshops, and family education. Resources include:

- Social media graphics and shareable content
- Print materials
- Wallet cards
- Posters
- Call, text, and chat promotional materials
- Downloadable digital resources
- A Promotional Materials Order Form for printed materials

Printed publications are available free of charge for delivery to addresses within the United States, U.S. territories, Army Post Offices (APOs), and Fleet Post Offices (FPOs). Quantities are limited, but all materials are also available for download through the Partner Toolkit for immediate use.

We encourage all Home Visiting programs to explore the toolkit, order materials for your offices and families, and incorporate these resources into your everyday practice. By sharing information about the 1-833-TLC-MAMA Hotline, we can help ensure that every parent knows support is available and that they never have to navigate pregnancy or the postpartum period alone.

Order Form: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline/order
Toolkit: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline/promotional-toolkit

Helping Families Together: HV and DFS Partnership Meeting

Kayla.Parker1@delaware.gov (Kayla Parker) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:07:49 GMT

On August 5, 2026, the Helping Families Together: Home Visiting and Division of Family Services (DFS) Partnership Meeting brought partners together at the Delaware Agricultural Museum for meaningful conversation, connection, and collaboration. Following a welcome from DPH Home Visiting Program Administrator Emily Thompson and opening remarks from Prevent Child Abuse Delaware Executive Director Claudine Wiant, representatives from evidence-based home visiting models—including ABC Parenting Institute, New Directions Early Head Start and Parents as Teachers, Healthy Families Delaware, and Nurse-Family Partnership—joined representatives from the DFS Treatment and Investigation units for a two-hour panel discussion and Q&A.

The panel explored key areas of collaboration, including understanding roles and services, communication and information sharing, coordination around shared families, family engagement, and positive outcomes. Panelists discussed how Home Visiting programs complement DFS services, what resources and supports are available to families, how partners can strengthen referral and communication pathways, and how information can be shared appropriately while protecting family confidentiality and maintaining the voluntary nature of Home Visiting. The conversation also focused on reducing duplication, reinforcing Family Service Plan goals, building trust with families, reducing stigma, and identifying ways partners can better coordinate support throughout a family’s journey.

More than simply sharing information, the meeting created space for thoughtful, meaningful dialogue about what strong partnership can look like in practice. Through questions, shared experiences, success stories, and reflections, participants identified opportunities to strengthen relationships between DFS and Home Visiting providers and committed to continuing the conversation. Together, partners are working toward a shared vision: more coordinated support, stronger family engagement, and better outcomes for children and families across Delaware.