By Stephanie Wagner Luann Colon Rivera and Stephanie Wagner with Polytech Parents as Teachers attended the 20th Annual Delaware Healthy Mother & Infant Consortium Summit. The event was held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront on April 13, 2026. They heard important discussions that empowered them to better serve mothers and babies in Delaware.[…..]

By DPH Home Visiting Team Please join us in welcoming Kayla Parker to the team as our new social services administrator in Home Visiting. Kayla holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is currently completing her associate degree in nursing. Her professional background is rooted in substance abuse and mental health services, with experience across[…..]

By Breanna K. Thomas, Program Supervisor, Christiana Care Home Visiting Community Health Workers The Home Visiting Community Health Worker Program would like to recognize their Home Visiting Champion, Shakeena Wilson. Shakeena has been with the program for nearly three years and has played a crucial role in building connections within the community, fostering partnerships, and[…..]

By Noelle Bartowski, Senior Lead Educator, Christiana School District, Parents as Teachers  There is much to celebrate in New Castle County! Two of our educators, Barbara Berganzo-Pabon and Krystal Reyna Grubjesic, have each had their submissions accepted to present workshops at the Annual PAT Conference. And Corsica Jones was recognized at the HVCAB meeting during[…..]

By Zakiya Yejide Bakari-Griffin, Chief Program Officer Prevention, Children and Families First  We are proud to recognize Asia Summers, our Healthy Families Delaware program manager, for her exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment, and profound impact on the families and staff we serve. Through strategic vision and compassionate leadership, she has strengthened program quality while fostering a[…..]

By Liset Villalobos Nurse-Family Partnership is dedicated to supporting families and ensuring client safety through the provision of resources and the completion of comprehensive safety assessments. A critical component of this work includes assessing for intimate partner violence (IPV), which is known to place both mothers and children at significant risk. According to the Centers[…..]

By Sue Taylor Approximately 30 people came together at Glasgow Park on Saturday, April 11, for a joyful spring gathering filled with laughter, connection, and sunshine. Children, parents, grandparents, family friends, and several Healthy Families Delaware staff members and their families enjoyed a relaxing day celebrating the new season, soaking up the warm weather, and[…..]

By Jennifer Fromme Delaware 211 (DE211) plays a vital role in supporting families across the state by linking them to the resources they need — quickly, confidentially, and in the language they are most comfortable with. As a free statewide service, DE211 acts as a trusted entry point for individuals and caregivers navigating complex systems[…..]

By Dan Sanchez Child Abuse Prevention Month may be over, but our gratitude is only growing. Thanks to generous support, April was filled with meaningful action, heartfelt connection, and powerful progress for children and families across Delaware. Together, we didn’t just recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month — we brought its mission to life. Throughout the[…..]

By Lindsay Zajac, PhD, Managing Director, ABC Parenting Institute During National Home Visiting Week, ABC Parenting was delighted to recognize the incredible dedication, skills, and heart of ABC Parent Coaches across the state and celebrate one extraordinary coach, Sydney Ballenger, named National Home Visitor of the Year. Sydney delivers Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), an[…..]

Asaiah Beaman Fisher (Home Visiting Training and Support Coordinator, PCAD) The start of 2026 has been both dynamic and impactful for Delaware’s home visiting workforce, as Prevent Child Abuse Delaware (PCAD) continues its commitment to strengthening professional growth through wrap-around training. From January through April, home visiting professionals engaged in a range of meaningful and[…..]

By Christine Hoeflich-Olley, Program Manager, DECC Parents as Teachers Over the past few months, DECC home visitors have been busy in the community! In March, the Laurel Stay and Play opened at the Laurel Library and continues to grow with each group. We are thrilled with the new partnership and the exciting events to come.[…..]

By Liset Villalobos The Nurse-Family Partnership is pleased to participate in upcoming community outreach opportunities. You may have recently seen us at the DHMIC NFP Innovation Table, where members of our team shared information about our program and services. We look forward to connecting with the community at the following events: 🗓️ 5/31/2026: The third[…..]

By Julisa Arce The New Directions Early Head Start UD Home-Based Program welcomed the spring season with renewed energy, as we prepare for the upcoming Mental Health Awareness Month. We recently hosted a highly successful socialization at the park, where Crystal and Guadalupe guided families through meaningful experiences in nature. Children had the opportunity to[…..]

By Emily A. Thompson Growth: Family Resource Center is continuing its commitment to supporting families in the Dover community through its 2026 Walk-In Pantry, with upcoming dates available on the attached flyers, in both English and Spanish. Operated by Do Care Doula Foundation Inc., Growth: Family Resource Center provides a wide range of essential services[…..]

By Vik Vishnubhakta, MBA/MPH, Counsultant/Principal, Forward Consultants The State MIECHV team is continuing its routine Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts with Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Local Implementing Agencies (LIAs), now advancing into a mid–Fiscal Year 2026 assessment of performance measures across all participating LIAs. This structured review is designed to identify areas of[…..]

By DPH Home Visiting Team Home Visiting Community Advisory Board (HVCAB) Celebrates National Home Visiting Week In honor of National Home Visiting Week, the Home Visiting Community Advisory Board (HVCAB) recognized outstanding professionals for their commitment to serving families. Superlatives awarded by Kelly Ensslin, Esq., child advocate and HVCAB chair, highlighted the vital role home[…..]

By Melissa Pitts, Director of Client Services We’re excited to have launched a new Program Supervisor and Administrator Portal that gives supervisors and program administrators a single place to manage staff, submit reports, and track training across the state. The portal can be accessed at defamilysupporthub.org/portal. Supervisors can now log in to view their staff[…..]

By Laurie Joseph, RN, Healthy Families Delaware, Supervisor Kent/Sussex Celebrating Our New HFD Team Members  Healthy Families Delaware is proud to celebrate the addition of our three newest Family Support Specialists, each bringing unique skills and heartfelt dedication to the families we serve. Karen Santana brings Spanish-speaking skills, a bright smile, and an engaging personality.[…..]

By DPH Home Visiting Team  We are proud to share that the state of Delaware has officially recognized April 20–24, 2026, as National Home Visiting Week, through Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 172, sponsored by Senator Buckson and Representative Jones Giltner, along with members of the 153rd General Assembly. This recognition shines a spotlight on the[…..]

By The Division of Public Health Home Visiting Team In the past few issues of Thrive Quarterly, we have spotlighted individual champions from different programs. For this first issue of 2026, the DPH Home Visiting Team would like to shine the spotlight and give a huge thank you to each and every one of you within[…..]

By Julisa Arce We are excited to introduce our new Family Support Specialist, Tiffany Ambriz Duran! Tiffany brings valuable experience working with families and serving our community. She has a true passion for supporting children under age 3 during these important early developmental years. Tiffany is dedicated to building strong relationships with families and supporting[…..]

By Eunice Holman Through the Holiday Assistance Program, Westside Family Healthcare provided items to patients in New Castle County and Sussex County who were experiencing food insecurity and had children ages 5 and under. These families received a holiday food bag to help them enjoy a holiday meal with their loved ones. In addition, families[…..]

By Asaiah Beaman Fisher, Home Visiting Training and Support Coordinator, PCAD Professional development is more than checking a box — it’s about growth, grounding, and showing up stronger for families. That’s the spirit behind Prevent Child Abuse Delaware’s (PCAD) Wrap-Around Training Series. Join us for a collection of bite-sized, meaningful learning experiences built just for Delaware’s[…..]

Play Groups Are Back! Parents as Teachers Play Groups are open and welcoming families to come play, learn, and grow together. These free groups provide fun and engaging activities for children and their families, including: Story time and singing Sensory play Hands-on learning activities Interactive play opportunities Play Groups are open to parents and caregivers[…..]