The Foundation For Delaware County

Internal programs: the foundation's programs in delaware county save lives and improve the futures of residents throughout our community. Our staff members are regional leaders in their fields. They address such critical problems as high rates of infant mortality and morbidity, low birth weight, food insecurity, stable housing and the success of teens. These programs work together and complement each other for greater impact. Of particular note are four maternal and child health programs that serve more than 10,000 delaware county residents each year:healthy start and nurse-family partnership are home visiting programs that partner pregnant women, new mothers and young families with case managers and visiting nurses who focus on helping women have healthy pregnancies and ensuring families access health care, connect to needed community resources and benefits, and learn and build parenting skills to get the best start in life. These programs are driving down the inordinately high and racially disparate infant mortality and morbidity, and low birth weight rates in our county's poorer communities. Recent research suggests that several factors contribute to poor birth outcomes. These include where a woman lives, adverse childhood experiences and trauma, and preconception care. Black women with less than a high school diploma are particularly at risk.several unique components of the programs are leading to improved outcomes. Widener university delaware law school medical-legal partnership: this is a unique partnership between healthy start/nurse-family partnership and widener university delaware law school. It provides direct civil legal representation, systemic advocacy and training to support program participants, staff and the community. El centro center for hispanic resources: the center is a "one-stop-shop" that connects program participants and other individuals with a range of services. Among these are case management, translation, appointment scheduling, health education, assistance with applications and agency referrals. Doula program: healthy start offers program participants birth doulas to help mitigate disparities and reduce maternal and infant mortality. Birth doulas work with families prenatally, during labor, and immediately after birth providing education, and emotional and physical support. Moving beyond depression: this is an evidence-based, in-home treatment for clients with major depressive disorder. Nurses and case managers screen clients for depression during the intake period and throughout enrollment in nurse-family partnership and healthy start. Fatherhood program: includes casual gatherings, support groups, educational programming, and one-on-one sessions with the foundation's fatherhood coordinator. Fathers are assessed for social determinants of health, referred to appropriate resources to support their needs, and learn what dads experience during the pregnancy process through the child's birth and after the baby is born. The foundation offers the nurse-family partnership (nfp) because over three decades of research show that it works. In at least one of nfp's randomized research trials, the following results have been observed: 48 percent reduction in child abuse and neglect; 56 percent reduction in emergency room visits for accidents and poisonings; 67 percent reduction in behavioral and intellectual problems by age 6.nfp also saves money. A study by the rand corporation found that $5.70 is returned to a community for every dollar it invests in the program.the third program, the foundation's women's, infants', and children's supplemental nutrition (wic) program provides nutritious foods and encourages breastfeeding to over 9,500 low-income women, infants and children up to the age of 5 each year in delaware county. Nationwide, the program has decreased the percentage of low-income children ages 2-4 with obesity by 9%, provides the following critical services: access to nutritious foods nutrition counseling breastfeeding information and support health and nutrition screenings referrals to health and social service organizations access to the farmers' market nutrition program (fmnp)the fourth program, the foundation's housing opportunities program for equity (hope), promotes housing fairness, affordability, and stability through targeted services. Program services include advocacy related to housing issues, case management, home placement, tenant rights education, financial literacy, referral services, and direct financial relief. Hope advocates for equitable housing. Safe and habitable housing promotes good health, increases opportunities for education and employment, decreases poverty concentrations, and breaks down geographic racial divides.

The foundation's center for nonprofit excellence builds strong and productive partnerships with delaware county nonprofits and addresses their capacity building needs. The following programs and activities are available through the center: - peer learning circles: the goal of these circles is to respond to the need of delaware county nonprofit leaders and to enhance collaboration and innovation across the social good sector. The circles provide nonprofit leaders in delaware county with an open space for reflective learning, problem-solving, peer support, and individual growth, with guidance from seasoned consultants and speakers.- certificate program in nonprofit management: the foundation partners with the nonprofit center at lasalle university's school of business to offer a nonprofit management certification program to area nonprofit professionals. Participants attend 10 six-hour sessions in order to complete the certification.- racial equity learning collaborative: is a group of nonprofit leaders who collaborate, learn and take action toward advancing racial equity. Members participate in trainings, workshops, and discussions to increase their understanding of racial inequities within their organization and how those inequities impact the population they serve.- the foundation also offers additional training and networking opportunities for development professionals in the county.