State of Delaware Advocacy Resource
Statewide consumer organizations are run by and for consumers of mental health services and promote consumer empowerment. These organizations provide information about mental health and other support services at the State level and are active in addressing and advocating for mental health system issues. For information about consumer activities in your area, contact

Parent Information Center (PIC)
Our organization‘s sole purpose is to give parents easy access to information and resources designed to improve their children's developmental and educational outcomes

Delmarva Rural Ministries
Delmarva Rural Ministries provides needs assessment and case management services including assistance in applying for Medicaid, Delaware Healthy Children Program, WIC, food stamps, and other support services.

Wrights Law
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.

Mental Health in Delaware
The Mental Health Association in Delaware (MHA) is a statewide, nonprofit organization founded in 1932 to promote mental health. MHA provides services throughout Delaware, and our focus is education, support and advocacy for mental health issues.

NAMI-DE
NAMI Delaware (NAMI-DE) is a statewide organization of families, mental health consumers, friends, and professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected by life-changing brain diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Our Mission is - "tosupport, educate, and advocate until there is a cure for severe and persistent mental illness."

Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
The National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is a family-run organization that is dedicated exclusively to helping children with mental health needs and their families achieve a better quality of life.

Community Legal Aid Society
"Community Legal Aid Society, Inc is a private, non-profit law firm dedicated to equal justice for all. We provide civil legal services to assist clients in becoming self sufficient and meeting basic needs with dignity. Our clients include members of our community who have low incomes, who have disabilities, or who are age 60 and over."

Family Voices of Delaware Â
Assists families of CYSHCN and the professionals who serve them through: direct information and referral, parent matching, support groups, conferences, topical calls, resource guides, list serves, newsletters, and surveys. FV DE monitors legislative action that will impact families and works closely with other families and Delaware Medicaid to improve services for CYSHCN. FV DE is funded by the DE Maternal and Child Health Program, DE Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC), Easter Seals, the University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies, and the DE Early Intervention Program.

Family and Workplace
Whether you're looking for child care, elder care, or respite care our dependent care resource and referral services can reduce the time and energy involved in the search. Our goal is to help you identify programs that meet your needs and help you become an informed consumer, so you can decide which programs are best for your child(ren) or older loved ones.

Disabilities Law Program
The Disabilities Law Program is a special project of Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. and is designated by the Governor as the Protection and Advocacy agency in Delaware. This program provides advocacy services to Delaware residents with physical or mental disabilities. Given limited resources, services are prioritized based on needs identified by consumer and community groups.

Center for Disabilities Studies
The mission of the Center for Disabilities Studies is to enhance the lives of individuals and families in Delaware through education, prevention, service, and research related to disabilities. We promote independence and productivity so individuals and families can fully participate in the life of the community.

The ARC of Delaware
The Arc of Delaware advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Brain Injury Partners
This a good resource for parents who have a child who has suffered from a brain injury and are having difficulty navigating the school system

Autism Society of Delaware
Autism Delaware is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving people and families in Delaware who are affected by autism.

Hands and Voices
Hands & Voices is a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families and their children who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as the professionals who serve them. We are a parent-driven, parent/professional collaborative group that is unbiased towards communication modes and methods. Our diverse membership includes those who are deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing impaired and their families who communicate orally, with signs, cue, and/or combined methods. We exist to help our children reach their highest potential.

How to Access Mental Health Services
This is a general reference that can be used to explain what steps to take to access mental health and substance abuse services for your child. It explains what to do in an emergency, a non-emergency, when you have insurance questions, and how to apply for Disabled Child's Medicaid, a type of insurance that is based on the child's diagnosis (Axis I and some Axis II diagnoses) and the child's income - NOT THE PARENTS' INCOME - so this is a way of getting benefits that one's private insurance does not cover. Â

To sign up for a FREE support group near you, call The Mental Health Association, at 302-654-6833, or from Kent and Sussex counties 1-800-287-6423

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