Who do I call first for disability services in New Castle County, Delaware?

Start with early intervention (children under 3), your school district's special education office (ages 3–21), and Delaware vocational rehabilitation for employment. This guide points to the right front door for New Castle County.

Is help available in Spanish in New Castle County?

Yes. This New Castle County guide includes Spanish-language support, and most Delaware agencies provide interpretation on request.

What should I do in a disability-related crisis in New Castle County?

For an immediate emergency call 911. For mental health crisis support call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7. This page also lists local crisis resources where available.

Disability Services in New Castle County, Delaware

A free, plain-language guide to disability services in New Castle County, Delaware. Find who to call first for early intervention, special education, Medicaid waivers, transition planning, employment supports, and crisis help — with Spanish-language support. Always call to confirm details, which can change.

Services covered in New Castle County

Early intervention (under 3) and special education / IEPs (ages 3–21)
Medicaid waivers and home- and community-based services
Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment
Transition planning, guardianship, and benefits
Crisis support — 911 for emergencies, 988 for mental health crisis

Key contacts in New Castle County

New Castle County, Delaware DDDS (your front door) — Your front door for developmental-disability services in New Castle County is Delaware DDDS (statewide). Contact: 302-744-9700 · 866-552-5758 (opt 2) · dhss.delaware.gov/ddds.
Independent Resources, Inc. (IRI) — Delaware's statewide Center for Independent Living, serving New Castle County (offices in Wilmington, Dover, and Milford): independent-living skills, peer supp… Contact: 302-735-4599 · iri-delaware.org.
The Freedom Center for Independent Living (FCIL) — Center for Independent Living serving New Castle County (Middletown): independent-living skills, peer support, benefits and housing advocacy, assistive technol… Contact: 302-376-4399 · 844-277-0700 · fcilde.org.
Delaware Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC / DSAAPD) — Delaware's statewide aging & disability one-stop for New Castle County (ADRC / DSAAPD): information and assistance, options counseling, Medicaid/long-term-care… Contact: 1-800-223-9074 · ADRC.
Delaware Hope Line & 988, New Castle County (24/7) — Free, confidential 24/7 mental-health, substance-use, and suicide crisis support for New Castle County residents through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and … Contact: 988 · 1-833-946-7333 · 24/7.
The Arc of Delaware — Statewide advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families: individual advocacy, family support, employment supports, an… Contact: 302-996-9400 · 844-344-6524 · thearcofdelaware.org.
NAMI Delaware — Statewide NAMI organization (Wilmington/Newark): free mental-health education, family and peer support groups, and navigation. Contact: 302-427-0787 · namidelaware.org.
Delaware DDDS, Intake — Your statewide front door for developmental-disability services. Contact: 302-744-9700 · 866-552-5758 (opt 2) · dhss.delaware.gov/ddds.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Free, confidential crisis support 24/7 for mental health and substance use crises. Contact: 988.
Birth to Three / Child Development Watch — Statewide early-intervention program for babies and toddlers (birth–3) with delays or disabilities: free evaluation and services. Contact: New Castle 302-995-8617 · Kent/Sussex 302-424-7300 · b23de.org.

These listings are a navigation aid, not endorsements — always call first to confirm current details. The full interactive New Castle County directory on this page lists 13 local and statewide resources with filters by category, age, and payer, plus registry-listed providers nearby.

See more Delaware disability resources or browse other counties from the Delaware portal.