Part I — The Delaware GAL Program
1.1 What Is the Delaware GAL Program?
Delaware's child protection system appoints Guardians ad Litem (GALs) in Family Court proceedings involving abuse, neglect, dependency, and child in need of services (CINS/FINS) matters. Delaware's statutory framework — centered in Title 13 (Domestic Relations) and Title 31 (Welfare) of the Delaware Code — governs child welfare proceedings, and GALs are appointed under 13 Del. C. § 2501.
Child protection cases are administered by the Delaware Division of Family Services (DFS), a division of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF). DFS investigates all reports of child abuse and neglect statewide. When DFS determines that court intervention is needed, it files a dependency/neglect petition in the Family Court of the State of Delaware in the county where the child resides.
Delaware has three counties — New Castle, Kent, and Sussex — each with its own Family Court. New Castle County, home to Wilmington, is the most populous and handles the largest share of dependency caseload. The New Castle County Family Court is located at 900 King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. The state's CASA program, CASA Delaware, recruits and trains lay GAL volunteers assigned through Family Court.
Delaware's Three-County Structure: Delaware is a small state with three counties. Family Court sits in each county. New Castle County (Wilmington) handles the largest dependency docket. Kent County sits in Dover (state capital) and Sussex County in Georgetown. If your case transfers counties, your GAL appointment follows the child — contact your supervisor before any transfer hearing.
1.2 Program Structure and Oversight
CASA Delaware is the statewide CASA organization, operating the volunteer GAL program in partnership with Family Court across all three counties. CASA volunteers are recruited, screened, trained, and supervised by CASA Delaware staff. CASA volunteers are appointed by a Family Court judge and serve as a resource to the court — not as agents of DFS.
The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA), created under 29 Del. C. § 9007A, is an independent state agency that oversees child welfare, monitors DFS case practice, and may independently advocate for systemic improvements. The OCA is distinct from the GAL role — while OCA is an institutional watchdog, the GAL is a case-specific, child-focused advocate appointed for an individual child.
Part II — Legal Foundation
2.1 Title 31 Del. C. — Child Abuse and Neglect Definitions
Delaware's definitions of abuse, neglect, and dependency govern which children may come before Family Court on a protection petition:
31 Del. C. § 302 — Definitions: Abuse, Neglect, Dependency
- Abuse — Physical injury by other than accidental means; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; exploitation; or allowing a child to be used in obscene material
- Neglect — Failure to provide proper supervision, care, food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or education; or abandonment; or exposing a child to a substantial risk of harm
- Dependency — The child is without proper care because of the mental or physical incapacity or death of the parent, guardian, or custodian; does not require fault
- CINS (Child In Need of Services) — A child under 18 who is ungovernable, truant, or a runaway, requiring services but not rising to delinquency
2.2 Key Delaware Child Welfare Statutes
Essential Delaware Statutory Reference
- 31 Del. C. § 302 — Definitions: abuse, neglect, dependency, exploitation
- 16 Del. C. § 903 — Mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect; reporter categories
- 16 Del. C. § 906 — DFS investigation authority; protective custody
- 13 Del. C. § 2501 — Family Court jurisdiction; appointment of GAL
- 13 Del. C. § 2512 — Emergency ex parte order for temporary custody (EPO)
- 13 Del. C. § 2513 — Preliminary protective hearing; probable cause determination
- 13 Del. C. § 2514 — Adjudicatory hearing; fact-finding
- 13 Del. C. § 2515 — Dispositional hearing; case plan; DFS placement authority
- 13 Del. C. § 2516 — Review hearings; permanency planning
- 13 Del. C. § 1103 — Termination of parental rights; grounds
- 13 Del. C. § 1107 — TPR procedures; best interest findings
- 29 Del. C. § 9007A — Office of the Child Advocate; creation and authority
- 14 Del. C. § 3101 et seq. — Education of children in foster care; school stability; McKinney-Vento
- Fam. Ct. R. Civ. P. — Family Court Rules governing dependency proceedings
2.3 Delaware ICWA Conforming Practice
Delaware has no federally recognized tribes with reservation land within the state. However, the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), 25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq., applies in Delaware proceedings whenever a child is a member of — or eligible for membership in — a federally recognized tribe anywhere in the country. Delaware courts apply ICWA standards as required by federal law and the BIA's 2016 ICWA regulations. See Part VII for the full ICWA section.
State-Recognized Tribes in Delaware
The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Confederated Tribes (Bridgeton, NJ) and the Nanticoke Indian Association (Millsboro, DE) hold state recognition in Delaware but are not federally recognized. Federal ICWA does not automatically apply based on membership in these tribes alone. However, many members may also hold membership in federally recognized tribes. Always conduct a careful heritage inquiry and consult your supervisor when tribal affiliation is reported.
Part III — Your Role as a GAL Volunteer
3.1 Appointment and Authority — 13 Del. C. § 2501
Your authority as a GAL derives from your appointment by the Family Court judge under 13 Del. C. § 2501. Your appointment order grants you access to all records relating to the child, including DFS case files, educational records, and medical and mental health records. You have the right to attend all court hearings, review the case plan, and are expected to submit written best-interest reports to the court before each substantive hearing. Your appointment runs with the child's case — it does not end with placement changes and continues through permanency unless the court formally relieves you.
CASA Delaware Appointment Orders
CASA Delaware volunteers receive a court-issued appointment order at case assignment. Always carry a copy of your appointment order when visiting the child, schools, DFS offices, or other agencies. Your order is your legal credential — agencies that refuse access should be reported immediately to your CASA supervisor so the issue can be escalated to the court.
3.2 Core Duties
- Meet with the child — Visit frequently, alone, in each placement setting. Build trust. The child's voice must be heard even when their stated wishes differ from best interests.
- Review all records — DFS case plan, court records, school IEP or 504 plan, medical/mental health records, visitation logs.
- Attend all hearings — Preliminary protective, adjudicatory, dispositional, review, and permanency hearings. Be present and prepared.
- Communicate with the team — Maintain contact with the DFS caseworker, foster parents or placement provider, birth parents (through counsel), teachers, therapists, and the child's attorney if one is appointed separately.
- File written reports — Submit a best-interest report to Family Court in advance of every substantive hearing. Reports must be objective, factual, and recommendation-based.
- Advocate for services — Identify service gaps and advocate through the court and DFS for appropriate educational, mental health, and family services.
3.3 Boundaries and Ethics
- Do not make promises to children about outcomes or timelines.
- Do not share confidential case information outside the MDT except as required by law.
- Do not accept gifts from children, birth families, or foster families.
- Do not provide transportation, financial assistance, or personal services to families without supervisor approval.
- Report any observed abuse or neglect immediately — you are a mandated reporter under 16 Del. C. § 903.
- Disclose any conflict of interest (personal relationship with a party) to your CASA supervisor and the court immediately.
Part IV — The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)
4.1 Core Team Members
Delaware's child welfare system is multidisciplinary. As a GAL, you work alongside a team of professionals whose roles are distinct from — but complementary to — your own.
Family Court of Delaware — New Castle County: 900 King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 | (302) 255-0300
DFS Child Abuse Report Line: 1-800-292-9582 (24/7)
CASA Delaware: 100 W. 10th Street, Suite 706, Wilmington, DE 19801 | (302) 655-3332
4.2 Team Roles
- DFS Caseworker — Investigates, files the petition, develops the case plan, arranges placements, supervises visits, and prepares court reports. Primary case manager throughout the case.
- DFS Supervisor — Reviews caseworker decisions, approves placements and service referrals. Escalate concerns to the supervisor when caseworker is unresponsive.
- Family Court Judge — Presides over all hearings, makes legal findings, approves case plans, and issues orders. The GAL reports directly to the court.
- Child's Attorney / Attorney ad Litem — Appointed to represent the child's expressed legal interests. May or may not be present depending on the case. When both a GAL and an attorney are appointed, their positions may differ.
- Parent's Attorney(s) — Represents the birth parent(s). You do not communicate directly with parents who have attorneys without going through their counsel.
- Deputy Attorney General (DAG) — Represents DFS in court proceedings. Not your supervisor — maintains independent legal position on behalf of the agency.
- Foster Parents / Placement Provider — Provides daily care and is a critical source of information about the child's day-to-day functioning, school attendance, and behavior.
- Therapist / Mental Health Provider — With release authorization from the court or child's guardian, review therapy notes and coordinate on the child's mental health needs.
- School Liaison / Educator — Key contact for educational stability, IEP compliance, and school performance. McKinney-Vento school liaisons can help with enrollment issues.
- CASA Supervisor — Your primary supervisor and support resource at CASA Delaware. Always consult your supervisor before major decisions, direct contact with parties, or if you observe new abuse or neglect.
Part V — The Delaware Family Court Process
5.1 How a Case Begins
A dependency/neglect case in Delaware typically begins with a report to the DFS Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-292-9582). DFS investigates and, if protective action is needed, may take emergency protective custody of the child without a court order under 13 Del. C. § 2512. Within 24 hours of removal, DFS must notify the court and file for an Emergency Protective Order (EPO). The EPO hearing must occur within 72 hours.
Within 30 days of the EPO, DFS files a formal neglect/abuse or dependency petition. The child is placed in out-of-home care — typically with a licensed foster family, a relative caregiver (kin placement), or a DSCYF-licensed placement facility. At case opening, the court appoints a GAL and, in some cases, a separate attorney for the child.
5.2 EPO to Adjudication Timeline
Day 0
Child removed; DFS takes emergency protective custody (no court order required under exigent circumstances)
24 hrs
DFS notifies court; EPO application filed; preliminary hearing scheduled
72 hrs
Preliminary protective hearing (PPH): judge reviews removal, hears parties, determines probable cause and placement
30 days
Formal petition filed; GAL appointed; initial review / status conference
60–90 days
Adjudicatory (fact-finding) hearing: court determines whether child is abused, neglected, or dependent
30 days post-adj.
Dispositional hearing: court approves case plan, placement, and services; reviews DFS recommendations
Every 6 months
Review hearings: court reviews DFS compliance with case plan, child's well-being, and visitation
12 months
Permanency hearing: court establishes permanency goal (reunification, guardianship, adoption, APPLA)
18 months
Final permanency review; if reunification not imminent, TPR may be filed
Part VI — Hearing Types and GAL Preparation
6.1 Emergency Protective Order (EPO) Hearing
Held within 72 hours of removal. The judge reviews DFS's reasons for removal, hears from parents and DFS, and decides whether emergency custody should continue. The GAL is often not yet appointed at this stage — your involvement begins at case assignment, which typically happens at or after the PPH.
6.2 Adjudicatory (Fact-Finding) Hearing
This is the trial phase of the dependency proceeding. DFS must prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the child was abused, neglected, or is dependent. As GAL, submit your initial best-interest report before this hearing. Be prepared to testify about what you observed during home visits and your contact with the child if called to do so.
6.3 Dispositional Hearing
Following adjudication, the court sets the dispositional plan — approving placement, services, visitation terms, and timelines. The case plan prepared by DFS is presented. Review the plan carefully before the hearing. If the plan lacks key services, note them in your GAL report and raise them at disposition.
6.4 Review Hearings (Every 6 Months)
Family Court reviews the case every six months to assess DFS's compliance with the case plan, the child's progress, and whether the current placement remains appropriate. Submit an updated best-interest report 5–7 days before each review hearing. Include updates on school, health, sibling contact, birth parent progress, and your recommendations.
6.5 Permanency Hearing (12 Months)
At 12 months post-removal, the court holds a permanency hearing to set or confirm the permanency goal. Delaware recognizes four permanency goals: (1) Reunification; (2) Guardianship; (3) Adoption; (4) Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA) — for older youth where the others are not appropriate. Your permanency hearing report should include a clear recommendation on the goal and specific findings on why.
6.6 TPR and Adoption Hearings
If reunification is no longer viable, DFS may petition for Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) under 13 Del. C. § 1103. Grounds include: abandonment, failure to plan, abuse or neglect causing serious injury, and others. After TPR, an adoption proceeding follows. Your GAL appointment may continue through post-TPR permanency reviews. Confirm with the court whether your appointment extends through adoption finalization.
GAL Report Deadlines: Family Court expects GAL reports at least 5 business days before any substantive hearing. Late reports may be excluded or may result in your hearing being continued. File early — and always email a copy to the DAG, parents' counsel, and the child's attorney (if any) at the same time you submit to the court.
Part VII — ICWA & Tribal Protections
7.1 What Is ICWA?
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), 25 U.S.C. § 1901–1963, is a federal law enacted in 1978 to address the historic over-removal of Native American children from their families and tribes. ICWA sets minimum federal standards for state child custody proceedings involving "Indian children" — children who are members of, or eligible for membership in, a federally recognized tribe, and who are the biological child of a tribal member.
ICWA applies to dependency, neglect, TPR, guardianship, and voluntary foster care placements. It does not apply to divorce custody matters, juvenile delinquency, or adoptions by a stepparent or relative of the same tribe.
7.2 ICWA in Delaware
Delaware has no federally recognized tribes with land within the state. However, ICWA applies in any Delaware Family Court proceeding where a child is an "Indian child" as defined under 25 U.S.C. § 1903(4). This includes children whose parent is a member of any federally recognized tribe in the United States — regardless of whether that tribe is located in Delaware.
Your Duty to Ask — Every Case, Every Contact
GALs in Delaware must inquire about tribal heritage at every initial contact with the child, birth parents, grandparents, and extended family. The question must be affirmative: "Do you have any Native American or Alaska Native heritage? Are you or any family members enrolled in or eligible for membership in a tribal nation?" Document all responses in your case notes. Report any positive or uncertain response to your CASA supervisor immediately.
7.3 ICWA Procedural Requirements
Key ICWA Requirements in Delaware Proceedings
- Notice (25 U.S.C. § 1912) — DFS must send formal ICWA notice by registered mail to the child's tribe(s) and to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) upon filing of any foster care or TPR petition involving an Indian child. Notice must include family history information as specified in BIA regulations.
- Active Efforts (25 U.S.C. § 1912(d)) — The standard for Indian children is higher: DFS must make "active efforts" — more than "reasonable efforts" — to prevent removal and to reunify. ICWA does not permit removal unless active efforts have failed.
- Qualified Expert Witness (25 U.S.C. § 1912(e)–(f)) — Removal and TPR require testimony from a "qualified expert witness" with knowledge of tribal culture, child-rearing practices, and the tribe's standards. A standard DFS caseworker alone is insufficient.
- Placement Preferences (25 U.S.C. § 1915) — For foster care, preference order is: (1) extended family member; (2) other tribal member; (3) other Indian family. For adoption, preference goes to: (1) extended family; (2) tribal member; (3) other Indian family. The tribe may establish its own order of preference by resolution.
- Tribal Intervention (25 U.S.C. § 1911) — The tribe has the right to intervene at any stage of a state court proceeding. If the tribe is a federally recognized sovereign, its intervention changes the proceeding materially — the tribe becomes a full party with its own legal standing.
- Transfer to Tribal Court (25 U.S.C. § 1911(b)) — Either parent, the tribe, or the Indian child's custodian may petition to transfer the proceeding to the tribe's jurisdiction. Family Court must grant transfer absent "good cause" to deny.
7.4 GAL Role in ICWA Cases
When ICWA applies, your best-interest analysis must incorporate the child's tribal affiliation and cultural connections as affirmative values. The child's connection to their tribe, language, extended family, and community is a component of their best interests, not a factor to be minimized. Coordinate with the tribe's ICWA representative and, if relevant, with tribal social services. Never recommend placement that bypasses ICWA preferences without a documented, court-approved good-cause finding.
Part VIII — Tribal Resources
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) — Eastern Regional Office
545 Marriott Drive, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37214 | (615) 564-6500
BIA Eastern Region covers Delaware. Contact for ICWA notice questions, tribal enrollment verification, and qualified expert witness referrals.
Nanticoke Indian Association — State-Recognized Tribe
27073 John J. Williams Hwy, Millsboro, DE 19966 | (302) 945-3400
State-recognized Delaware tribe. Federal ICWA does not automatically apply, but consult with the tribe to determine if members also hold federally recognized tribal membership.
Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Confederated Tribes — State-Recognized Tribe
18 E. Commerce Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 | (856) 455-6910
State-recognized in Delaware and New Jersey. As with Nanticoke Indian Association, confirm federal enrollment before applying ICWA requirements.
National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA)
National resource for ICWA compliance, training, and consultation. Maintains ICWA tribal contacts directory.
BIA ICWA Tribal Directory — Federally Recognized Tribes
http://www.bia.gov/bia/ois/tgs/icwa — Searchable directory of ICWA contacts for all 574 federally recognized tribes. Use to identify the correct ICWA representative when tribal heritage is reported.
Part IX — Education Rights of Children in Foster Care
9.1 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Children in foster care may be eligible for protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 11431 et seq.) if they are placed in a temporary setting (emergency shelter, motel, doubled-up housing, or transitional placement). McKinney-Vento guarantees immediate school enrollment without waiting for records, immunizations, or proof of residency, and allows the child to remain in their school of origin if it is in their best interests.
Every Delaware school district has a designated McKinney-Vento Liaison — these liaisons are your key contacts when a foster child faces an enrollment barrier or needs transportation to their school of origin.
9.2 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) — Title I, Part A
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) includes specific provisions for children in foster care. Schools and child welfare agencies must collaborate to maintain educational stability — including keeping children in their school of origin unless it is not in their best interests, and providing transportation to support that stability. Delaware DSCYF and the Delaware Department of Education have an inter-agency agreement implementing ESSA's foster care provisions.
9.3 Special Education — IDEA
Children in foster care are disproportionately identified as needing special education services. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees each eligible child a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). GALs should review the child's IEP at case opening, attend IEP meetings when possible, and advocate for appropriate services. Placement changes must not disrupt IEP services — the new school must provide comparable services immediately upon enrollment.
9.4 GAL Education Checklist
Education Questions for Every Case
- Is the child currently enrolled in school? Which school, grade level?
- Has the child changed schools since entering foster care? How many times?
- Does the child have an IEP, 504 plan, or other special education services?
- Are services being provided at the new school? Has there been a gap?
- What is the child's attendance record? Are there truancy concerns?
- Has the child been suspended or expelled? What were the circumstances?
- Is the child receiving tutoring, mentoring, or afterschool support?
- What does the child say about school? Do they feel safe? Connected?
Part X — Courtroom Practice
10.1 Your Role in Hearings
As a GAL in Delaware Family Court, you are a friend of the court — an officer appointed to inform the judge about the child's best interests. You are not a witness in the traditional adversarial sense unless called. You may be asked to give a brief oral statement at the end of the hearing, or the judge may rely entirely on your written report. Always be present when the case is called. Identify yourself to the clerk as the GAL when you enter the courtroom.
10.2 Testifying
If called to testify, you speak from your direct observations — what you saw, heard, and were told during home visits, school contacts, and MDT meetings. You do not offer legal conclusions. You may offer a best-interest recommendation. Stay factual, calm, and objective. If asked about a topic you haven't investigated, say so — do not speculate.
10.3 GAL Report Best Practices
- Use factual, neutral language. Avoid loaded terms or editorializing.
- Separate observations from recommendations. Label sections clearly.
- Document the child's own stated wishes, even when you recommend otherwise.
- Include dates of every visit, phone call, and contact.
- Address each element the court will consider: safety, permanency, well-being.
- Make your recommendation explicit. Judges rely on GALs to say what they think the outcome should be.
- File at least 5 business days before the hearing date.
10.4 When You Disagree with DFS
It is appropriate — and sometimes necessary — for the GAL to take a position different from DFS. If you believe the child's best interests are not being served by the DFS case plan or recommendation, say so clearly in your report and at the hearing. Judges value an independent GAL perspective. Communicate your concerns to your CASA supervisor before the hearing so CASA can provide backup support if needed.
Part XI — Local Resources (New Castle County / Wilmington)
Family Court of Delaware — New Castle County
900 King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 | (302) 255-0300
Main courthouse for New Castle County dependency and neglect proceedings. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.
Delaware Division of Family Services (DFS) — New Castle County Office
1825 Faulkland Road, Wilmington, DE 19805 | (302) 633-2655
DFS investigates child abuse/neglect reports and manages out-of-home placements in New Castle County. Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-292-9582 (24/7).
CASA Delaware — New Castle County
Statewide CASA volunteer program. Recruits, trains, and supervises GAL volunteers across all three Delaware counties. Primary contact for CASA volunteers in New Castle County cases.
Office of the Child Advocate (OCA)
820 N. French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 | (302) 577-8970 | oca.delaware.gov
Independent state agency that monitors child welfare outcomes and advocates for systemic improvements. Separate from CASA and the GAL role. Contact OCA if you observe systemic issues with DFS case practice.
Nemours Children's Health — A. I. duPont Hospital for Children
Delaware's primary children's hospital. Provides pediatric medical care, trauma-informed services, and child abuse evaluations through the Child Protection Program.
Brandywine Counseling and Community Services
Outpatient substance use treatment, mental health counseling, and trauma-informed care for youth and families in New Castle County.
Child, Inc. — Child Welfare & Early Education
Head Start, child care, and family support services for low-income families in New Castle County. Key resource for young children in foster care needing early childhood services.
Ministry of Caring — Emergency Shelter & Housing
Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness in Wilmington. Key resource for birth families working toward reunification.
Christina School District — McKinney-Vento Liaison
Largest school district in Delaware. McKinney-Vento liaison assists children experiencing homelessness or foster placement with immediate enrollment and school stability support.
Wilmington School District — McKinney-Vento Liaison
City of Wilmington school district. Contact the McKinney-Vento liaison for enrollment support for foster children placed within Wilmington city limits.
Part XII — Mental Health Resources
12.1 Trauma and Children in Foster Care
Most children in Delaware's foster care system have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE) — including abuse, neglect, parental incarceration, or domestic violence. Many have experienced multiple ACEs. GALs play a critical role in ensuring that children receive trauma-informed mental health services and that providers understand the child's history.
Delaware Division of Prevention & Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS)
1901 N. DuPont Hwy, New Castle, DE 19720 | (302) 255-9399 | dhss.delaware.gov/dsamh
State agency overseeing mental health and substance use services. Manages children's mental health programs and connects to community-based providers.
Connections Community Support Programs — Children's Services
Community-based behavioral health services including intensive in-home services, outpatient counseling, and crisis intervention for children and families in New Castle County.
Trauma Recovery Center — Christiana Care
Christiana Care provides trauma-informed behavioral health services for children and adolescents in northern Delaware. Child advocacy center and pediatric trauma consultation available.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
National resource for trauma-informed care tools, parent guidance, and training for professionals working with traumatized children. Provides free training modules for GAL volunteers.
Crisis Text Line
Free 24/7 crisis text support for youth and adults. Share with foster youth, especially adolescents who may not call a hotline but will text.
Part XIII — Housing & Basic Needs
Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA)
State housing agency administering Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher program, emergency rental assistance, and homeless prevention funding. Key resource for birth families working on housing goals in their case plans.
Friendship House — Emergency Family Shelter
Transitional and emergency family shelter in Wilmington. Accepts families with children. Provides case management and housing navigation services.
Community Legal Aid Society of Delaware (CLASI)
Free civil legal services for low-income Delawareans, including housing, benefits, and child welfare matters. Contact CLASI if a birth parent needs assistance with housing-related legal issues that affect reunification.
Food Bank of Delaware — Pantry Network
Statewide food bank operating pantries across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. Key resource for birth families and kin caregivers with food insecurity.
Delaware 2-1-1 (HelpLine)
Delaware's statewide resource hotline connecting residents to food, shelter, utilities, and health services. Available 24/7 in multiple languages.
Part XIV — Delaware Statewide Resources
Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF)
1825 Faulkland Road, Wilmington, DE 19805 | (302) 633-2500 | kids.delaware.gov
Parent agency for DFS, DPBHS, and the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services. Oversees all state child welfare, mental health, and youth justice programs.
Delaware Department of Education — Foster Care Liaison
State education agency. Contact the foster care education liaison for help with school stability disputes, ESSA implementation, and IEP compliance issues across districts.
Delaware STRONG Families — Foster Care Recruitment
State-run foster family recruitment and support program. Provides resources for current and prospective foster parents and kin caregivers in Delaware.
Delaware Helpline — 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Dial or text 988 | Available 24/7
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Share with youth and families experiencing mental health crisis.
Delaware Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC)
Coordinates Delaware's domestic violence services network. Domestic violence is a frequent co-occurring issue in child welfare cases. Contact DVCC for shelter referrals and safety planning resources.
Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV)
Statewide DV advocacy coalition and hotline. Hotline: 1-800-701-0456. Connects families to local DV shelter and services in all three counties.
Delaware Legal Help — Law Line
Free legal advice line for low-income Delawareans. Staffed by attorneys. Can assist birth parents and GALs with questions about rights, court procedures, and case plan disputes.
Part XV — Federal Resources
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Comprehensive federal resource hub for child welfare practice, ICWA, foster care research, and training materials. Includes state-specific statute summaries.
National CASA/GAL Association
National association supporting state and local CASA programs. Provides training, advocacy tools, and program standards for GAL volunteers.
Children's Bureau — Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Federal agency overseeing Title IV-E, Title IV-B, ICWA, and child welfare policy. Publishes annual state child welfare data and CFSR performance review results.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Federal agency providing behavioral health resources. SAMHSA's National Helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7 for mental health and substance use referrals.
Youth.gov — Foster Youth Resources
Federal portal for foster youth resources including independent living, education supports, and transition-age youth programs available in Delaware.
Part XVI — Working with Children
16.1 Trauma-Informed Engagement
Children in Delaware's foster care system have experienced disruption, loss, and often abuse or neglect. Trauma affects behavior, memory, trust, and communication. Approach every interaction with patience, consistency, and predictability. Never pressure a child to talk about abuse or trauma details — that is the job of forensic interviewers and therapists. Your job is to build a relationship over time and listen.
16.2 Age-Appropriate Communication
- Infants and toddlers (0–3): Observe, don't interview. Assess attachment behavior, physical condition, and caregiver interaction. Document what you observe.
- Preschool (4–6): Use simple, concrete language. Play alongside rather than face-to-face interrogation. Ask about daily routines, favorite activities, and family members by name.
- School-age (7–12): Children this age can describe experiences and preferences clearly. Ask open-ended questions. Respect their need for some privacy. Explain your role simply.
- Adolescents (13–18): Teens need to feel respected as emerging adults. Avoid lectures. Ask about their goals, friendships, school, and what they want for their future. Prepare older youth for independent living and aging out of care.
16.3 Sibling Relationships
Delaware law recognizes the importance of sibling connections. When siblings are placed separately, advocate for regular sibling visitation and, where appropriate, sibling placement together. Document sibling contact — or lack thereof — in every GAL report. Courts weigh sibling contact heavily in best-interest determinations.
16.4 Aging Out of Foster Care
Youth in Delaware may remain in foster care to age 21 under the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act. Delaware Ladder (the statewide independent living program) provides life skills training, housing assistance, education support, and transitional services to youth aging out. Advocate early — connect youth to Ladder services by age 16 at the latest.
Delaware Ladder — Independent Living Program
Administered by DSCYF, Delaware Ladder provides independent living services and transitional support to foster youth ages 14–21. Services include life skills workshops, housing assistance, employment support, and educational stipends. Contact your DFS caseworker to ensure your youth is enrolled and receiving services before they turn 18.
Part XVII — Court Report Writing Guide
17.1 Purpose of the GAL Report
The GAL report is your primary tool for communicating the child's best interests to Family Court. Judges and commissioners read hundreds of reports — write clearly, factually, and concisely. Avoid jargon. Make your recommendation explicit. Do not assume the judge remembers prior reports or knows the history of the case.
17.2 Required Report Elements
Delaware Family Court GAL Report Structure
- Header — Case caption, child's name (or initials), date of birth, case number, hearing date, your name and CASA assignment date
- Contacts Since Last Report — List every in-person visit, phone call, school visit, court appearance, and MDT meeting with dates
- Current Placement — Placement type, duration, stability, and child's adjustment
- Child's Well-Being — Physical health, mental health, school, sibling contact, birth family visitation
- Child's Stated Wishes — What the child told you they want, in their own words if possible
- DFS Compliance with Case Plan — Is DFS providing the ordered services? Are parents participating?
- Safety Assessment — Is the child safe in the current placement? Any new concerns?
- Recommendation — Clear statement of what you are asking the court to order, with brief rationale
17.3 Filing Procedures
File your report with the Family Court clerk at least 5 business days before the scheduled hearing. Provide a copy simultaneously to: the Deputy Attorney General (DFS counsel), parents' attorneys, and the child's attorney (if separately appointed). Keep a copy in your CASA case file. If the hearing is continued, update your report to reflect any changes before the new date.
17.4 Language and Tone
- Use neutral, professional language. Avoid emotionally loaded terms.
- Report what you observed and were told — clearly distinguish the two.
- Acknowledge conflicting information honestly rather than glossing over it.
- If you disagree with the DFS recommendation, say so respectfully and explain why.
- The child's voice must appear in the report — even if their wishes conflict with your recommendation, document what they said.
Confidentiality: GAL reports are court documents subject to Family Court confidentiality rules. Do not share GAL reports with the media, neighbors, or anyone not a party to the case. If you receive a subpoena or request for records outside the case, contact your CASA supervisor and the court immediately before responding.