Full Notification

The Wilmington Police Department is announcing the addition of two partners who offer resources for youth to our weekly Community Outreach Walks.
 
Starting this week, members of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health and the Wilmington Police Department’s Youth Response Unit will be participating in these outreach events. Both teams will share materials and information about resources available to youth in Wilmington.
 
“As these Wilmington Community Outreach Walks continue to grow, we are excited to welcome partners who focus on providing resources and support to our youth,” said Chief Robert J. Tracy. “It is wonderful to have the opportunity for our police officers to join these service providers to spread the word about available resources for our residents, young and old, throughout our city.”
 
The Wilmington Community Outreach Walks initiative was launched in October, and walks take place on Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. each week at a different location in Wilmington. During each walk, police officers are joined by staff from the Community Partner Support Unit Impact Team based at the Winder Laird Porter State Service Center; the Porter Center Public Health Clinic; the Delaware Community Response Teams; Westside Family Healthcare and the Henrietta Johnson Medical Center.
 
“This is a great opportunity for us. We know that statistics show Delaware’s children are in need of mental health services and that early intervention works,” said DSCYF Secretary Josette Manning. “Families can’t reach out for help if they don’t know who we are or where to start. With these walks, we can meet families where they live and talk about the prevention programs available in schools and community centers, the family counseling services that exist and our suicide prevention and crisis outreach numbers. We can hear their questions and help them find answers.”
 
“As a program that provides community-based therapy, we are thrilled for the Youth Response Unit to be a part of the walks,” said WPD Victim Services Unit supervisor Stephanie Hamilton. “The opportunity to pair with police and other partners gives us an additional way to talk about our services and hopefully serve more children and families.”
 
For information on the Delaware Children’s Department, visit kids.delaware.gov. For 24/7 support for a youth in crisis, call Mobile Response and Stabilization Services at 1-800-969-HELP (4357). To learn about free prevention programs, call our helpline at 302- 633-2680 or email [email protected].
 
To connect with treatment services if you don’t have insurance or are covered by Medicaid, call Division of Prevention & Behavioral Health Services Intake Line 1-800-722-7710 or email [email protected]
 
For more information on the WPD Youth Response Unit and to request assistance, visit https://www.wilmingtonde.gov/government/public-safety/wilmington-police-department/youth-response-unit or call (302) 576-3183.

For more information on Wilmington Community Outreach Walks, and for details on future locations, visit www.WilmingtonDE.gov/Police.