Preventive Services are supportive and rehabilitative services that are provided to children and families of Delaware County to preserve the family functioning. The goal of Preventive Services is to intervene as early as possible in order to identify family needs and develop a plan to reduce and resolve risk factors preventing a child’s out of home placement. Caseworkers assist families in gaining access to services that promote treatment to help maintain a safe and healthy environment for children and their families.
A school based prevention program has been utilized with various school districts throughout the County. This enables caseworkers to be immediately accessible to children and families in their school communities.
Delaware County DSS is the lead agency for all Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) cases. The goal of preventive services in regards to PINS cases is to effectively divert appropriate PINS youth from Family Court by providing a multitude of services that effectively address the youth’s presenting issues.
To receive services a family may experience the follow risk elements:
- Concern regarding the health and safety of a child
- Child service need
- Child at risk of placement outside of the home.
Services that may be offered to clients include:
- Casework counseling
- Transportation
- Education and referral
- Mental health counseling
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse counseling
- Parent education
- Emergency shelter, food and clothing
- Respite Care Services
- Day Care Services
