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Council for Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family of Delaware

 

Become a piece of the puzzle. Join us in helping families living in poverty regain stability after an unforeseen crisis causes financial overload.

SERVICES

Households in need of services provided by Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family through donations to the Kent/Sussex Human Services Council, Inc. do NOT need to be receiving assistance from the State of Delaware.  However, the Council has set a criteria for services to be followed by Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family in serving families.  For more information, see the section on "How to Be Referred", below.

The HOUSEHOLD, HYGIENE & BABY SUPPLY PROGRAM is a year-round service provided to match donations of used or new household supplies from groups, businesses, organizations and/or individuals like you to those families referred to our program who have experienced a financial crisis resulting in the loss of all or part of their general household possessions or for households that have assumed responsibility for other family members (children or adults) and need additional household items for daily operations such as sheets, blankets, extra dishes, silverware, larger pots or bake ware, bath towels, etc. for daily household functions.

This is not to replace items that have worn out or need replacing for other reasons, but is only to reverse loss of items due to an unforeseen crisis that was not caused by the head or heads-of-household or to supplement a household when household members have been added without supplies to assist in functions of the household.

The Back-to-School Program operates from July through August 31 yearly.  This program matches donations of NEW school supplies to children in families living in poverty and who have experienced a financial crisis that is beyond the control of the head or heads-of-household preventing them from purchasing the needed supplies for their children.  This program focuses on ALL children in the household and endeavors to supply the school age children with the specific supplies needed based on the school, grade level and classes they are enrolled in for the year.  Though the program does assist elementary children in the households the focus is on assisting the families with children in junior and high school levels since these students have the greatest need but have less community support than elementary level children grades 4 and below, yet their success in school has more impact on their future success. 

The
HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM operates from October through the 23rd of December.  This program offers two ways for a sponsor to assist families who are living in poverty and have experienced a crisis within the calendar year. 
     First, a "Sponsor" can select a family based on the general location the family lives, the ages and genders of the children, and the family circumstances given and verified as the reason for need of assistance and commit to providing the head-of-household with gift cards valuing at least $125.00 per child for toys and clothing so the parents can do the shopping.  If possible, we also ask that sponsors provide extra for underclothing, shoes, and even gift cards for grocery stores and/or gasoline if applicable to help the family but that is above the basic $125.00 gift card per child.  Some sponsors also add gifts that they "think" the children would like, or they add special gift cards for movies, fast food, or add other personal touches to their gift card giving.   Allowing the parent to purchase the clothing and toys for their children assures that the clothing not only fits better and can be returned if it doesn't fit, but also assures that the clothing and toys match the preferences of the child and meet the approval of the parent. 
     Children in poverty are like any other child, they will wear the same outfit every day rather than wear something that they don't like or doesn't fit correctly and they will sit in front of a television or go out to find something else to do if the toys or gifts they have do not keep their interests.  This method of helping a family with holiday gifts, is more effective than attempting to purchase gifts for children that the sponsor knows little about.  There is nothing that can replace the knowledge of a parent about their children, regardless of how much information we get to help with sizes and preferences. 
     Second, "Donors" can purchase clothing or toys for any age group or gender and donate them to Kent/Sussex Human Services Council, Inc. for Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family to assign to children as deemed appropriate based on parent input.  Having a variety of toys and clothing to select from if a child is not sponsored or is under-sponsored helps Adopt-a-Family provide for the children even if gift cards are not available or in some cases when the parents are not able to actually do the shopping in time for the holidays.   When this happens, Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family attempts to provide toys or clothing from the general donations made to the program based on input from the parent or guardian.  Though the parent or guardian does not actually come into the office and select the items for their children, it functions much like a store system where Adopt-a-Family volunteers get input from the parents to what the child likes and then gives the parent the options available so they can select the most appropriate clothes or toys available from the items donated. 


HOW TO BE REFERRED
Households in need of any of the services provided by the Kent/Sussex Human Services Council, Inc. through Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family do NOT have to be receiving any state benefits in order to be referred to the program.  The general criteria set by the Council (not the Adopt-a-Family Program or State of Delaware) to be referred and/or to receive assistance varies slightly based on the services you need.  See below for details.

GETTING A REFERRAL TO KENT/SUSSEX ADOPT-A-FAMILY FOR
HOUSEHOLD, HYGIENE AND/OR BABY SUPPLIES
Holiday and School Supply Referrals must be submitted by workers on appropriate forms provided by Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family to the caseworkers enrolled with the program as a referring agency.


RECEIVING STATE BENEFITS
If your household receives benefits from the State of Delaware under any program such as but not limited to Food Stamps, Medicaid, TANF, WIC, Purchase of Care (child care supplement), etc., please call your caseworker and ask him or her to e-mail your request for assistance to Adopt-a-Family-ks@state.de.us with the name and social security number for the head-of-household, your physical address and mailing address if different, and phone number.  They will require you to give them a reason for the need, this would be the financial crisis that resulted in your need and the reason you are not able to obtain the items your self and the specific item or items you are requesting for the referral.

AFTER ADOPT-A-FAMILY GETS THE REFERRAL:
      Once Adopt-a-Family receives the referral, someone from the office will call you to schedule an interview and give you a list of the documentation you will need to bring with you to the interview.  The Council has deemed the interview necessary for those referred to our program to assure that all the household needs are identified and referrals made to those agencies that can better assist you or that you are at least provided information about the other agencies to seek assistance if you deem it necessary. 

WORKING WITH A NON-STATE SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAM
If you do not receive any State of Delaware benefits, but are working with a local social service agency, they can make a referral via fax to 302-424-2782 or e-mail us at Adopt-a-Family-ks@state.de.us with the name and social security number for the head-of-household, your physical address and mailing address if different, and phone number.  They will require you to give them a reason for the need, this would be the financial crisis that resulted in your need and the reason you are not able to obtain the items your self and the specific item or items you are requesting for the referral. 
     Once we receive the referral, we will call you to schedule an interview and give you a list of the documentation you will need to bring with you to the interview.  We interview individuals referred to our program to assure that all needs are identified and if we are able to refer you to other resources to meet other needs we find during the interview, Adopt-a-Family will make a referral for you or give you the information so you can contact them yourself.

NOT RECEIVING STATE BENEFITS OR WORKING WITH ANY SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY
If you are not receiving any benefits from the State of Delaware or working with any other social service agency such as a counseling agency or church group, please call your local State Service Center to discuss your situation and if all you need are Household, Hygiene and/or Baby Supplies, they can e-mail a referral to Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family with the name and social security number for the head-of-household, your physical address and mailing address if different, and phone number.  They will require you to give them a reason for the need, this would be the financial crisis that resulted in your need and the reason you are not able to obtain the items yourself and the specific item or items you are requesting for the referral. 

     However, if you have needs other than those listed under Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family's services, such as furniture, emergency food, rent or utility assistance if you have an eviction or disconnect notice etc., please explain that to the receptionist at State Service Center during your call and they will set you up with an appointment for an interview with them so all these problems can be addressed at one time, with one interview.

STATE SERVICE CENTER NUMBERS:  http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dssc/ofclocations.html

INTERVIEW STEP
      Once Adopt-a-Family receives the referral, someone from the office will call you to schedule an interview and give you a list of the documentation you will need to bring with you to the interview.  The Council has deemed the interview necessary for those referred to our program to assure that all the household needs are identified and referrals made to those agencies that can better assist you or that you are at least provided information about the other agencies to seek assistance if you deem it necessary.  
     However, if you are interviewed by the State Service Center before they make a referral to Adopt-a-Family, you will not need to be interviewed by Adopt-a-Family again for that referral. 

CRITERIA FOR ALL SERVICES OFFERED BY KENT/SUSSEX HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL THROUGH KENT/SUSSEX ADOPT-A-FAMILY
1 - Must have a referral from an approved referring agency.
2 - Must be living at or below 133% of poverty based on number of members in household (based on social services records or documentation provided by head-of-household at time of interview).
2007 Countable Income Limits 133% FPL Through September 2007
Family Size Gross Monthly Income
1 1,132
2 1,518
3 1,904
4 2,289
5 2,675
6 3,061
7 3,446
8 3,832
9 4,218
10 4,603
For other poverty charts used to determine benefits, please go to
http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dss/fpl.html

3 - Must have had a financial crisis not within the control of the head-of-household within last 90 days (time can be extended for some situations).  Victims of domestic violence who have left abuser and are starting their own household or seniors on fixed incomes who have had large prescription expenses that were not paid by another source, etc.
4 - Must cooperate with interview process including providing documentation to verify household composition, lease, all income and all expenses in the household.
5 - Must be cooperating with social services if eligible for benefits from the State of Delaware including but not limited to, submitting documentation to keep case open and complying with work requirements.  Note - Council does not accept pregnancy or young children in the home as a reason not to work except when a doctor's slip is available.
6 - Must not have sanctions in record for abuse, neglect - including not getting immunization shots for children, school attendance, drug use of any household member, or willingly closed or requested closure of social service case when household would be eligible for benefits, i.e., refuse to submit documents needed, or other reasons.
7 - Services are limited to the number of household members listed in Social Service records unless documentation from an official source is presented to show additional members have been added to the case.
8 - All able bodied adults must be working or have waiver for working in social service file.
9 - Households cannot have received assistance through Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family's Household, Hygiene, Baby for same items prior to current referral unless for legitimate reason such as an household added child from another family to their home and needs additional supplies, or fire damage to kitchen items (must be documented).
CRITERIA FOR SCHOOL & HOLIDAY REFERRALS
1 - Must meet the criteria set above.
2 -Referrals must be submitted on the appropriate form supplied by Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family to the caseworkers enrolled as referring agents to the program.
3 - Referrals must be signed by the referring caseworker and client prior to being submitted to the program.
HOLIDAY PROGRAM
1 - Clients will not have to be interviewed by Kent/Sussex Adopt-a-Family, but may be required to submit documentation regarding information provided in or found resulting from the referral.  The referral will not be processed until the documentation is provided for inclusion in the review and this will hold up the possibility of finding sponsorship for the household.
2 - Referrals must be submitted before the deadline of November 15th yearly unless a crisis occurs following the deadline and the head-of-household presents dated documentation to show date of crisis and impact.  Then the application will be reviewed with all other referrals.
SCHOOL SUPPLY PROGRAM
1 - Referrals must be submitted before the deadline of August 15th yearly unless a crisis occurs following the deadline and the head-of-household presents dated documentation to show date of crisis and impact.  Then the application will be reviewed with all other referrals.



Updated March 2009