Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF) Homepage
The Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (The Delaware Children's Department) was established in 1983 by the General Assembly of the State of Delaware. Its primary responsibility is to provide and manage a range of services for children who have experienced abandonment, abuse, adjudication, mental illness, neglect, or substance abuse. Its services include prevention, early intervention, assessment, treatment, permanency, and after care. The Department also offers desirable career opportunities, attracting and retaining proud and talented employees who are motivated to "Think of the Child First" in all that they do.
Division of Child Mental Health (CMH)
The Division of Child Mental Health Services (CMH) is part of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. CMH provides a statewide continuum of mental health and substance abuse (behavioral health) treatment programs for children and youth. These services have graduated levels of intensity and restrictiveness that are child-centered and family focused.
Division of Family Services (DFS)
The Division of Family Services is mandated by law to investigate complaints about child abuse and neglect. Since 1875, state agencies have been balancing the children's right of safety and the parent's right to choose what is good for the family. The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 clearly puts the focus on the protection, safety and permanency plan of children as the first priority. Services provided are child oriented and family focused. Mandatory Reporting Form
Division of Youth Rehabilitation (YRS)
The Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) provides services to youth in the State of Delaware who have been adjudicated delinquent and ordered by the court system to receive rehabilitative services. DYRS serves approximately 5,000 youth per year, ranging from probation to secure care incarceration.
Office of Prevention and Early Intervention (OPEI)
Promoting safe and healthy children, nurturing families and building strong communities is what the Office of Prevention and Early Intervention (OPEI) is all about. As a first step in the fight against at-risk children opening a door from which they cannot return, OPEI works with children, youth, families, communities, schools and more to provide activities for children and youth to prevent:
Contact Information for Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families
You can also reach us by telephone, email, or through an Information Request Form if you are unsure who to contact. We will see that your question is forwarded to the correct staff member.
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.