State Services for Grandparents and Relative Caregivers Raising Others’ Children Joining Generations Revised December, 2009 DELAWARE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DIVISION OF SERVICES FOR AGING AND ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES Joining Generations 1 800 223-9074 The following support services are available to grand parents and relative caregivers if they meet eligibility requirements. The locations and phone numbers of the Division of Social Services offices are on the reverse side of this leaflet. TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF): Temporary Aide for Needy Families (TANF) is one of Delaware’s cash assistance programs. You can apply for TANF In three different ways: 1) for yourself; 2) for yourself and the child you are raising; or 3) for the child only. You do not have to have custody or guardianship of the child, but you must be related to him or her. If you are applying for a childonly TANF grant, only assets and income of the child are considered. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Social Services office. GENERAL ASSISTANCE (GA): General Assistance (GA) is cash payment that can be used for an unemployable adult, or used for people caring for unrelated children. Only assets and income of the child are considered when you apply for GA. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Social Services office. KINSHIP CARE PROGRAM: The purpose of the Kinship Care Program is to assist caregivers during the 180 day transition period when a child initially moves into the non-parent caregiver’s home. The program assists caregivers in meeting the child’s immediate need for clothing, shelter, health, and educational supplies. For more information, contact the Delaware Helpline at 1.800.464.4357 or the State Service Center closest to you. The Delaware General Assembly provides funding for the Kinship Care Program and it is limited to available state funds. MEDICAID: Medicaid is medical insurance that pays for doctors’ visits (including well-child visits), in-patient and out-patient hospital services, lab tests, behavioral health services, prescription medicines, eye exams, glasses, dental care for children, and over-the-counter medicines prescribed by your doctor. Eligibility for Medicaid is determined by income. Almost any child whose parent is not in the home and who has little or no income of his or her own can get Medicaid health insurance coverage. Low-income children can get Medicaid even if they cannot get Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If you or the child is eligible, Medicaid may begin immediately. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Social Services office. DELAWARE HEALTHY CHILDREN PROGRAM: This is a health insurance program for children. If you have not been able to afford medical insurance for your child and do not qualify for Medicaid, you may purchase very low cost medical insurance through the State of Delaware. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Social Services office or call 1.800.996.9969. HELP PAYING YOUR MEDICARE PREMIUM: Low-income Medicare beneficiaries may be eligible for help with paying all or some of their Medicare premium and, in some cases, payment of Medicare co-insurance and deductibles. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance office. SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP): The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps single people and families with little or no income purchase food they need for good health. A SNAP household consists of people who live together and buy food and prepare meals together. Spouses and children under the age of 22 who live with their parents must be included in the SNAP household. The income of all household members counts towards the SNAP income limits and determines how much assistance they get. You may be eligible for the SNAP program even if you cannot get assistance from other programs. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Social Services office. CHILD SUPPORT: The Division of Child Support Enforcement is the State agency that helps custodial parents and caregivers to establish paternity and obtain child support from obligated parents. Services are free to those parents and caregivers who receive Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid. For more information in New Castle County call: 302.577.7171; in Kent County call: 302.739.8299 and in Sussex County call: 302.856.5386. CHILD CARE: (ALSO KNOWN AS PURCHASE OF CARE) The Purpose of the Division of Social Services Purchase of Care childcare program is to provide support to families who need childcare but who cannot pay for all or part of the cost. This service is available to parents, grandparents, or other related adults responsible for the child’s care. You may get help with day care if you are working full-time, part-time and your income is low enough. If eligible, you will choose among the licensed childcare centers and childcare family or group homes that accept Purchase of Care reimbursement rates. You may also create your own self-arranged childcare, with the help of your social worker. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Social Services office. PUBLIC HOUSING: Public housing in Delaware is provided by several different agencies, operating with different regulations. The waiting period for housing varied greatly from one agency to the other. You will need to meet income eligibility requirements. You may also be required to have custody of the child you are raising, even if he or she is a relative. The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Community Relations staff can provide you with a list of affordable housing in your area. They will also provide referral information for many services, including assistance for one time rental help, security deposit help or help with energy bills. Call the Delaware State Housing Authority’s Community Relations staff located in Dover at 1.888.363.8808, or visit their website at www.2.state.de.us/dsha or call the Delaware Helpline at 1.800.464.4357. DSHA also has section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers as well as other affordable rental and home-ownership programs. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN: Behavioral health services (substance abuse and mental health treatment) are available for all children in Delaware. Private insurance and Medicaid providers can be located by calling the number on the insurance card. The Division of Child Mental Health Services (DCMHS) can serve uninsured children or those needing more than 30 units of out-patient services from Medicaid. DCMHS provides a range of mental health and substance abuse treatment programs statewide beyond out-patient services, including a 24 hour crisis service. In northern New Castle County call 302.633.5128; in southern New Castle County call 1.800.969.4357; and in Kent and Sussex Counties call 302.424.4357. All DCMHS referrals are voluntary and require parents or guardians to provide written consent. The Caregivers’ Medical Authorization Law allows primary caretakers to provide this consent when a parent is unavailable. For further information, contact DCMHS at 302.633.2571 or 1.800.722.7710. PAPERS TO BRING WHEN APPLYING: Birth Certificates . Social Security Cards . Pregnancy Verification . Utility Bills . Motor Vehicle Registration Proof of Citizenship or lawful alien status . Pay Stubs . Bank Account information *Your caseworker will let you know if you need to bring other items DELAWARE HELPLINE Get Connected * Get Answers Dial 2-1-1 1.800.464.4357 . 1.800.273.9500 Got questions? Finding answers is our job! 7:30am – 6:00pm Monday through Friday ADDITIONAL STATE RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Division of Social Services 1.800.372.2022 Apply for these programs at: www.assist.dhss.delaware.gov Cash Assistance Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Child Care Medicaid Division of State Service Centers 302.255.9675 Kinship Care Program Emergency Services Division of Services for Aging & Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) 1.800.223.9074 Camp Respite Grand Time Off For more information about the Grand Time Off program contact: Children and Families First 1.800.546.7449 For more information about the Camp Respite program contact your local YMCA. Information can be found in the white pages of your local telephone directory for the nearest location. Division of Public Health Child Development Watch New Castle County 1.800.671.0050 Kent and Sussex Counties 1.800.752.9393 DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES 302.633.2500 Adoption Child Mental health Family Services Foster Care Prevention and Early Intervention Services for Individuals and Families Youth Rehabilitation Services GRANDPARENTS & RELATIVES RAISING OTHER RELATIVES’ CHILDREN SOURCES OF INFORMATION Wilmington: Wilmington Senior Center Grandparent Resource Center -- 302.651.3420 Statewide: DELAWARE KINSHIP NAVIGATOR – New Castle County – 302.479.1588 Kent and Sussex Counties – 1.888.546.7449 Joining Generations 1.800.223.9074 www.dhss.delaware.gov/dsaapd or DSAAPDinfo@state.de.us PARENTING EDUCATION TRAINING Attend at least six sessions to earn a parenting certificate. Inquire in advance if childcare is available. Children and Families First Grandparent-relative Caregiver Education, Information, and Support Series 1.800.734.2388 CHILD Inc. New Castle County 302.762.8989 Kent and Sussex Counties 1.800.874.2070 SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND INFORMATION GROUPS Support, education, and information groups are offered throughout the state. Any of the Grandparent Resource Centers listed here or the statewide resource providers can provide information on a group in their geographic area. Also check out the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical disabilities’ website at: www.dhss.delaware.gov/dsaapd Select information and then Intergenerational Programs or Featured Services – Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. You may also contact Joining Generations at 1.800.223.9074 or by e-mail at DSAAPDinfo@state.de.us Division of Social Services Office Locations Bridgeville State Service Center 400 Mill Street Bridgeville, DE 19933 302.337.8261 Claymont State Service Center 3301 Green Street Claymont, DE 19703 302.798.4093 DSSC Main Office Charles Debnam Building 1901 N. DuPont Hwy New Castle, DE 19720 302.255.9500 DeLaWarr State Service Ctr. 500 Rogers Road, New Castle, DE 19720 302.577.2970 Churchman’s Corporate Center 84 Christiana Rd., Suite B New Castle, DE 19720 302.395.6740 Edward W. Pyle State Service Center 34314 Pyle Center Road Frankford, DE 19945 302.732.9504 Laurel State Service Center 31039 N. Poplar Street Laurel, DE 19956 302.875.6943 Milford State Service Center Milford Annex 11-13 N. Church Avenue 13 S.W. Front Street Milford, DE 19963 Milford, DE 19963 302.424.7200 302.424.7250 Floyd I. Hudson State Service Center 501 Ogletown Road Newark, DE 19711 302.453.2800 Robscott Building 153 E. Chestnut Hill Rd Newark, DE 19713 302.368.6610* 302.453.4124 (SSI/QMB) James W. Williams Carroll’s Plaza State Service Center 1114 S. DuPont Hwy 805 River Road Dover, DE 19901 Dover, DE 19901 302.739.4437 302.857.5020 Smyrna State Service Center 200 S. DuPont Boulevard, Suite 101 Smyrna, DE 19977 302.628.2000 Appoquinimink State Service Center 122 Silverlake Road Middletown, DE 19709 302.378.5770 Northeast State Service Center 1624 Jessup Street Wilmington, DE 19802 302.552.3500 302.577.2174 * Winder Laird Porter State Service Center 509 W. 8th Street Wilmington, DE 19801 302.577.3400 Belvedere State Service Center 310 Kiamensi Road Wilmington, DE 19804 302.995.8545 Georgetown State Service Center* 546 S. Bedford Street Georgetown, DE 19947 302.856.5574 Anna C. Shipley State Service Center 350 Virginia Avenue Seaford, DE 19973 302.628.2000 *Long Term Care Services www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dssc