History

Children & Families First is a merger of five long-standing organizations:

  • The Children's Bureau of Delaware
  • Family Service Delaware
  • Turnabout Counseling and Community Services
  • The Perinatal Association of Delaware
  • The Family & Workplace Connection

Significant Events in the History of Children & Families First

1884Provident Society, Friend's Benevolent Society and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul merge into Associated Charities to "help others help themselves."
1885Associated Charities is incorporated
1916Children's Bureau joined in a federation of child welfare agencies and developed adoption, foster care and support services to assist poor families and children
1919Children's Bureau is incorporated
1925Children's Bureau merges with the Delaware Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
1931Associated Charities becomes Family Society
1938Children's Bureau medical services are established by Dr. Robert O.Y. Warren.
1955Family Society becomes Family Service of Northern Delaware
1965Family Service merges with Travelers' Aid Society and begins Travelers' Aid Service
1969Children's Bureau opens their Kent/Sussex office in Milford
1971Children's Bureau begins La Oficina de los Niños in order to serve Hispanic children and their families in New Castle County; Family Service opens Claymont branch
1973Family Service begins Family Life Education programs
1974Turnabout Counseling is started by a group of concerned Seaford citizens; Seaford House (a teen residential treatment center) opens
1976Children's Bureau medical services are established by Dr. Robert O.Y. Warren.
1980Children's Bureau establishes a child sexual abuse program and an intensive home-based family counseling service
1981Family Service presents the first annual J. Thompson Brown Award; The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is established
1983Family Service of Northern Delaware becomes Family Service Delaware
1986Family Service Delaware establishes the Parenting Plus Program
1987Perinatal Association of Delaware begins in response to the increased rate of infant mortality; Family Service opens office in Newark; Family Service and Children's Bureau receive contracts from the state to do intensive home-based services (Family Preservation)
1988Family Service Delaware begins children support groups
1991Children's Bureau opens a new facility for counseling service at 2001 Baynard Blvd. as a result of a 1990 Capital Campaign
1992Children's Bureau and Family Service Delaware merge; La Oficina de los Niños y la Familia moves to a new facility at 301 N. Harrison Street in Wilmington as a result of a 1990 Capital Campaign; Kent and Sussex AIDS Program begins
1993Initiated the FAST (Families and Schools Together) program at 2 Delaware elementary schools
1994Partnered with community hospitals at new high school wellness centers
1995Turnabout Counseling and Community Services merged into Family and Children Service of Delaware
1996Initiated REACH for Healthier Kids project in five New Castle County communities
1997Changed the name of the organization to Children & Families First
1998Expanded services to at-risk youth through the Truancy Program in New Castle County and ARC (A Resource Center for Youth) services at West Side Health clinic in Wilmington
1999Opened the Teen Center and started new ARC medical services at Claymont Community Center
2000Opened ARC medical service in Georgetown; Initiated the Ready, Set, Go! Campaign For Children in Wilmington daycare centers
2001Initiated the BRIDGES program for teens in Wilmington; Built new teen Residential Treatment Center in Seaford
2002Piloted The Strengthening Families Program, a family skills training program for parents and their children
2003Expanded FAST to middle schools; Began Individualized Residential Treatment services for youth with behavorial and emotional challenges
2004The Perinatal Association of Delaware became part of Children & Families First in an effort to continue decreasing infant mortality in Delaware
2005Opened new ARC medical service for teens at Westside Health in Newark; Expanded Truancy Program to include prevention and early intervention in New Castle County; Began in-home Shelter Care for children as an alternative to institutional settings; Initiated a Grandparent Resource Center in Kent County to offer education and support for those parenting the "second time around"
2006Expanded our Grandparent Resource Center to our Georgetown office to serve Sussex County
2007Opened our new Dover office in the Wolf Creek Business Complex Expanded Counseling services to target parents with children ages 3 to 5 with challenging behaviors
2008 The Family & Workplace Connection becomes part of Children & Families First in an effort to offer clients a broader range and continuum of services.