Resources for Those Who Work With Children and Families
Access Tools and Information to Support Your Work
Find trusted resources, guides, and support services to help you protect children and strengthen families in your care or community. Whether you need reporting information, evidence-based strategies, or connections to local services, these resources are here to back the important work you do.
What you’ll find:
- Reporting information – How and when to report suspected abuse
- Crisis hotlines – 24/7 support lines you can share with families or call yourself
- Local services – Connections to Delaware programs that support children and families
All resources are free and available 24/7, with many offered in both English and Spanish.
Need immediate help?
- Delaware Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-292-9582 (24/7)
- General Help & Services: Call 211 or visit Delaware211.org
Reporting Child Abuse
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, you must report it right away. Call the Division of Family Services (DFS) 24-hour Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line at 1-800-292-9582. You can also contact local law enforcement or call 911, but this should be in addition to contacting DFS—not instead of it.
You do not need proof to make a report. As long as you report in good faith and with reasonable concern, you are protected from prosecution.
For more details on how to recognize and report child abuse, visit iseethesigns.delaware.gov.
Hotlines
Operates 24/7 providing crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals.
Visit Childhelp USA
Findhelp.org is a nationwide resource that makes it easy to connect with local services. From financial assistance and food programs to housing and healthcare, the platform helps you quickly search and discover organizations in your area that can meet your needs.
Connects runaway and at-risk youth with local resources and crisis support.
National Runaway Safeline
Provides immediate support for mental health or substance use crises, 24/7.
Priority Response Info
Offers confidential support for survivors of sexual assault. Chat online 5:30 p.m.–11:30 p.m.
ContactLifeline
Domestic Violence Hotlines
- Child Inc.’s Domestic Violence Hotline: 302-762-6110 – Provides crisis support, safety planning, and resources for survivors of domestic violence.
- The SAFE Program at People’s Place II: 302-422-8058 – Offers counseling, advocacy, and emergency assistance for domestic violence survivors.
- Abriendo Puertas Bilingual Hotline: 302-745-9874 – Bilingual support and resources for Spanish-speaking individuals experiencing domestic violence.
Local Resources
211 is a free, confidential service that connects people with essential community resources and support. By dialing 211 or visiting Delaware 211, you can find help with housing, food, healthcare, child care, and much more. Their trained specialists are available to guide you to the right services when you need them most.
Findhelp.org is a nationwide resource that makes it easy to connect with local services. From financial assistance and food programs to housing and healthcare, the platform helps you quickly search and discover organizations in your area that can meet your needs.
Delaware Thrives offers tools, information, and resources to help families make healthy choices and support children’s development. By visiting Dethrives.com, families can access guidance on everything from prenatal health to early childhood support.
Educator Resources
The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) is a non-judicial state agency charged with safeguarding the welfare of Delaware's children. OCA was created in 1999 in response to numerous child deaths in Delaware resulting from child abuse.
Delaware's Child Protection Accountability Commission ("CPAC" or "the Commission") was statutorily created in 1997 as part of a comprehensive strategy, entitled the Child Abuse Prevention Act of 1997, to improve Delaware's child protection system following the tragic death of a four year old boy named Bryan Martin. This act made significant changes regarding how Delaware investigates child abuse and neglect and how it fosters a child protection community of cooperation, accountability and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
Initiatives include Mindful Moments Made Easy, Mindful Mondays, Wellness Wednesdays, and Power of Breathing Sessions, designed to improve focus and reduce stress. DOE Wellness Programs
A coalition supporting schools in integrating mindfulness practices to promote awareness, compassion, and well-being. Coalition of Schools