At Gaudenzia, we believe that recovery is not only possible — it’s happening every day. We see it in the faces of mothers reunited with their children, in the steady strength of individuals breaking free from the hold of addiction, and in the ripple effect that strong, community-based treatment has on families and neighborhoods across Delaware.
As a long-standing treatment provider in Delaware since 2003, we are proud to stand alongside the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), in building an addiction treatment ecosystem that is both compassionate and accessible.
Recently, inaccurate public reporting has painted a misleading picture of Delaware’s treatment capacity — suggesting that in-state residential options are scarce or unavailable. We know this is not the case, and the data tells a different story. At Gaudenzia’s Claymont Center alone, between July 2022 and December 2024, we admitted 84 women into our high-intensity residential program — including 36 pregnant individuals and 66 children under the age of 12. Sixteen infants were born to women in our care, and fourteen children involved with child welfare services were successfully reunited with their mothers. This is the very definition of system success — and a testament to the dedication of our staff, the strength of the families we serve, and the leadership of DSAMH in making such care possible.
Our Claymont Center’s lower-intensity program, where 92% of clients completed treatment successfully, is further evidence of the transformative work being done right here in Delaware.
A critical gap remains in Delaware’s recovery support system: access to safe, stable recovery housing for women—especially mothers with children. Programs like Claymont provide vital treatment while allowing mothers to remain with their children, fostering stability during a crucial period. However, once treatment ends, recovery housing options that accommodate women and their children are extremely limited. This lack of transitional support puts families at increased risk for relapse and system re-entry, undermining the progress made in treatment.
Recovery housing is a proven, cost-effective solution that bridges this gap. It provides a stable environment for long-term recovery, reinforces independence, and supports successful reintegration into the community. Along with wraparound services such as job training, childcare, and mental health support, recovery housing empowers women to rebuild their lives while keeping families intact. The benefits extend far beyond those directly served—strong recovery housing options reduce strain on social services, lower incarceration rates, and create healthier, more resilient communities.
Delaware must invest in expanding recovery housing for women and women with children. By doing so, we strengthen families, break cycles of addiction, and build a future where every woman in recovery has the foundation she needs to succeed.
However, sustaining this work requires more than mission — it requires partnership, accurate public discourse, and financial support that keeps these services viable for the long term. Over the past five years, Gaudenzia has had to make difficult decisions to close two residential facilities and one outpatient program in Delaware due to financial constraints. These closures are not a reflection of diminished need, but rather a reminder that as demand grows and complexities deepen, reimbursement models and referral patterns must evolve alongside them.
We remain committed to working with DSAMH and other stakeholders to ensure that Delawareans have access to the full continuum of care they deserve. We also call upon media outlets and community leaders to join us in telling the full story — one that acknowledges challenges but also uplifts successes and solutions.
In the months ahead, we look forward to participating in DSAMH’s data analysis initiatives and supporting collaborative public awareness efforts that break down stigma and help individuals and families find the help they need.
At Gaudenzia, we don’t just see statistics. We see children going home with their mothers. We see families healing. And we see a state that — through partnership, investment, and commitment — can continue to be a place where recovery is within reach for everyone.