Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families Receives Funding for Family Violence Prevention

WASHINGTON, DC – Strong advocates for keeping families safe and strong, Delaware Senators Joe Biden and Tom Carper and Congressman Mike Castle today announced that the Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families has been awarded $37,500 for a project that will help determine the problems that cause family violence. Biden, Carper and Castle wrote letters of support for this federal grant, which comes from the Department of Health and Human Services. “Family violence is a devastating problem that affects all of us. By closely examining the root causes of family violence, the Delaware Ecumenical Council will help us better understand the problem and tackle it in a meaningful way,” said Senator Biden, author of the landmark Violence Against Women Act. “Understanding what causes family violence is a key component of building healthy homes and strong communities,” Carper said. “With this funding Delaware’s faith communities will be better equipped to understand and help prevent family violence.” “Unfortunately, family violence often tends to be cyclical in nature, but it is hard to understand why. Domestic violence has terrible effects on men, women and children, tearing families apart and often putting women and children in heart wrenching and challenging situation,” Castle said. “We need a comprehensive approach to minimize the problems causing family violence and the problems caused by family violence.” The Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families will use the funding for the Delaware Collaborative Family Violence Prevention Project, which will focus on community education, targeted outreach and systems development. The Council will confer with family violence organizations and religious congregations to solidify the strong community support that is needed to successfully implement their program. The proposed project establishes a family violence prevention and services program in partnership with both family violence organizations and religious congregations. The Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families, a faith based health advocacy, education and services organization, has worked in the community since 1987. The purpose of this Council is to engage and support the Delaware religious community in efforts to improve the health, safety and wellness of Delaware children, elderly and families. This effort will be a partnership with relevant agencies including the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council of Delaware, the Delaware Children’s Trust Fund, the State of Delaware’s Division of Family Services Office of Prevention and Early Intervention, the Delaware Association for Children of Alcoholics, the Perinatal Board of Delaware, and the Delaware Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. For more information, please contact Mr. Robert P. Hall, 302-225-1040.