DSCYF’S RESPONSE AND HELP TO FAMILIES DURING COVID-19
Secretary Manning is aware of the severe stress from the struggles that families have to face during the COVID-19. DSCYF is using technology and reaching out to those struggling families to make sure that they’re safe and that they feel empowered. Home visits are still being done, but they do so by taking precautions to protect themselves and the families they serve. She believes that a key to preventing child abuse is ensuring that families feel empowered and supported. DSCYF’s Division of Behavioral Health Services and Prevention is also creatively connecting families with needed services during this time. For example, Family Crisis Therapists (FCT) are using virtual technology, connecting parents with resources such as finding rental assistance and unemployment benefits, referring to health services, and delivering meals and more supplies. Their contracted Behavioral Health Consulting program coordinates wellness checks, participates in online school classes and meetings, and provides prevention, early intervention, and therapeutic services for students and families. Additional initiatives include the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program (PSSF), which is working to address long-term needs beyond the pandemic by helping families address some of the root causes of stress, like financial problems. Delaware Fatherhood & Family Coalition has provided virtual parent education sessions and meetings, and is seeking to provide and support virtual family game, meal and movie nights to encourage connections. Another necessary resource, Delaware Project LAUNCH, which supports families in the city of Wilmington, has started Connections Cafes using Zoom to provide support, effective coping techniques, self-care tips, and hands-on activities for both caregivers and their young children to address problems related to anxiety, stress, social isolation and relationship building.
NEW LOGO FOR DSCYF
DSCYF has recently changed their mission and vision to make the department more holistic and to have a holistic approach to some situations that need to be addressed.
Their thought was to unify their different departments and build a culture of caring across the department. Their purpose was to soften the logo image and really give it a more enveloping feel. The goal is really to show that the purpose of this department is to involve families. They want to make sure that families understand that DSCYF is here to help them.
NEW DEPARTMENT POLICY (POLICY #122) ALLOWING DSCYF TO CERTIFY U VISA PETITIONS FOR MINORS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF A QUALIFYING CRIME
The U visa is a temporary immigrant classification created to protect crime victims who cooperate with an investigation.
To be eligible for a U visa, a person must demonstrate that
- Are the victim of a qualifying crime;
- Have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result;
- Have information about the criminal activity; and
- Have been, is being, or is likely to be helpful with the investigation or prosecution of the crime.
This policy allows DSCYF to work with our community partners to certify U visa applications for child victims or indirect victims who, according to our records, meet the above eligibility criteria, and the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction is unable or unwilling to certify the application.
