Organized in 1974, Delmarva Community Services (DCS) has grown to serve individuals with developmental disabilities, seniors, individuals living with poverty, childcare and transportation services. In 2023, we assisted more than 6,000 residents and employed more than 250 people.
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ONLINE GIVING INSTRUCTIONS:
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CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND TO APPLY
SPROUTS EARLY LEARNING CENTER HAS OPENINGS!!!
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Our Mission
Delmarva Community Services, Inc. is a multi-service, non-profit agency dedicated to helping people who wish to maintain dignity, and an independent lifestyle within their community on the Delmarva Peninsula.
At DCS we believe all people should be treated with respect. The services we provide should always embrace the highest integrity and quality. As advocates for our consumers, we assist all individuals towards self-sufficiency and independence.
We do this through a process that emphasizes communication, planning, and teamwork that recognizes and seizes opportunities that will benefit our consumers while realizing we are accountable to the public we serve and stewards of government and community resources.
At DCS we believe all people should be treated with respect. The services we provide should always embrace the highest integrity and quality. As advocates for our consumers, we assist all individuals towards self-sufficiency and independence.
We do this through a process that emphasizes communication, planning, and teamwork that recognizes and seizes opportunities that will benefit our consumers while realizing we are accountable to the public we serve and stewards of government and community resources.
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Burke & Herbert Bank Donates to Delmarva Community Services
The Burke & Herbert Bank Foundation recently donated to support Delmarva Community Services, Inc. (DCS) in Cambridge to help further the vital role DCS plays for local families, children, students, and seniors. “Delmarva Community Services’ programs, including the county-wide food pantry, senior activities, delivered meals, homeless services, and youth empowerment initiatives, make a lasting impact on our community. At Burke & Herbert Bank, we believe in always being invested in enriching the communities we serve, and together we’re helping build a stronger, more vibrant community,” comments Eastern Shore Market President Heather Bacher of Burke & Herbert Bank. According to Andy Hollis, “The demand for our services in Dorchester County continues to grow. Having Burke & Herbert Bank as a community partner will help us continue to make strides in meeting these growing needs,” states Andy Hollis, President/CEO of DCS. Delmarva Community Services Inc. (DCS) is a multi-service organization founded in 1974 that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, seniors, and individuals living in poverty and provides childcare and transportation services. Caption: Pictured left to right are Senior Vice President/Senior Credit Officer Billie Jo Newman, Burke & Herbert Bank; Andy Hollis, President & CEO of Delmarva Community Services, Inc.; and Eastern Shore Market President Heather Bacher, Burke & Herbert Bank. |
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Delmarva Community Services Appoints New Director of Sprouts Early Childhood Learning Center
Delmarva Community Services, Inc. (DCS) has recently appointed Petrae Simpson as its new Director of Childcare for Sprouts Early Childhood Learning Center @ Chesapeake Grove in Cambridge. Simpson previously worked as director of Bright Beginnings Child Care Center in Stevensville, Maryland.
“Petrae is a passionate and experienced childcare professional with a strong early childhood education and daycare management background who came to us highly recommended. We are thrilled she is joining our team as she is dedicated to creating a nurturing and engaging environment where children can develop in their early years,” states Andy Hollis, President/CEO of DCS.
With extensive experience in licensing regulations, staff development, and curriculum implementation, Simpson understands the importance of research-based teaching strategies. She is a proponent of incorporating the Frog Street Curriculum into the Center’s program. This comprehensive curriculum is designed to support children from infancy through pre-kindergarten, focusing on intentional, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and school readiness.
According to Simpson, Frog Street’s emphasis on social-emotional development, language acquisition, and STEAM-based activities aligns with her own philosophy of holistic learning. By implementing engaging, hands-on experiences, she believes that every child can receive the foundational skills needed for lifelong success.
“I am committed to maintaining high-quality standards – including building strong relationships with families, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, and mentoring educators to continuously grow in their roles. I am driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of quality care and education that ensures that every child has the opportunity to thrive,” Simpson states.
She shares that she got into childcare because she struggled to maintain employment with childcare schedules as a single mother of three children. After getting a job at her children’s childcare center she realized it was a career she wanted to pursue. She started as a teacher's assistant and then with the encouragement of her director, focused on her own professional development. Simpson became director-qualified within four years.
“There are different aspects of operating a childcare center that I love and enjoy. When I first got into childcare, I became very passionate about the children. When I became a director in my first position, I worked closely with licensing and became a stickler for policies and procedures. I then became even more passionate about teaching the teachers. These are all the things that tie into having a successful center,” she adds.
“We have great people working at our Center and the potential to offer some amazing things through this new curriculum. I am very excited about that,” Simpson shares.
“I want the public to know that we love the children in our program. I think loving the children is the most important element of engaging and caring for children. We are so excited when children come into our doors and sad when they age out of the program and go to kindergarten.”
Currently, Sprouts Early Childhood Learning Center has 10 staff and is in the process of hiring additional qualified staff. There are 26 children in the program and the Center has the capacity for 46 children between the ages of six weeks and five years of age. The Center is particularly excited to be opening a new infant room – one of the few centers in Cambridge to have openings for infants.
The Center’s physical space is new – part of DCS’s new state-of-the-art building at 108 Chesapeake Street in Cambridge which opened in April 2022 and includes a large modern playground.
“I cannot wait for the weather to get nice so that we can consistently go outside with the children,” Simpson adds.
Another special aspect of the Center is the involvement of DCS’s Senior Center with the children. Seniors do monthly intergenerational crafts and games and read with the children, as well as rock the babies. In addition, seniors host the Center’s annual preschool graduation and provide “Bubble Day” once a month where they interact by blowing bubbles for the children in the daycare. In February, the Senior Center invited the children to participate in their fashion show.
For further information or to arrange a tour of Sprouts Early Childhood Learning Center @ Chesapeake Grove in Cambridge, contact Petrae Simpson at 410-221-1900 ext. 401.
Delmarva Community Services, Inc. (DCS) has recently appointed Petrae Simpson as its new Director of Childcare for Sprouts Early Childhood Learning Center @ Chesapeake Grove in Cambridge. Simpson previously worked as director of Bright Beginnings Child Care Center in Stevensville, Maryland.
“Petrae is a passionate and experienced childcare professional with a strong early childhood education and daycare management background who came to us highly recommended. We are thrilled she is joining our team as she is dedicated to creating a nurturing and engaging environment where children can develop in their early years,” states Andy Hollis, President/CEO of DCS.
With extensive experience in licensing regulations, staff development, and curriculum implementation, Simpson understands the importance of research-based teaching strategies. She is a proponent of incorporating the Frog Street Curriculum into the Center’s program. This comprehensive curriculum is designed to support children from infancy through pre-kindergarten, focusing on intentional, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and school readiness.
According to Simpson, Frog Street’s emphasis on social-emotional development, language acquisition, and STEAM-based activities aligns with her own philosophy of holistic learning. By implementing engaging, hands-on experiences, she believes that every child can receive the foundational skills needed for lifelong success.
“I am committed to maintaining high-quality standards – including building strong relationships with families, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, and mentoring educators to continuously grow in their roles. I am driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of quality care and education that ensures that every child has the opportunity to thrive,” Simpson states.
She shares that she got into childcare because she struggled to maintain employment with childcare schedules as a single mother of three children. After getting a job at her children’s childcare center she realized it was a career she wanted to pursue. She started as a teacher's assistant and then with the encouragement of her director, focused on her own professional development. Simpson became director-qualified within four years.
“There are different aspects of operating a childcare center that I love and enjoy. When I first got into childcare, I became very passionate about the children. When I became a director in my first position, I worked closely with licensing and became a stickler for policies and procedures. I then became even more passionate about teaching the teachers. These are all the things that tie into having a successful center,” she adds.
“We have great people working at our Center and the potential to offer some amazing things through this new curriculum. I am very excited about that,” Simpson shares.
“I want the public to know that we love the children in our program. I think loving the children is the most important element of engaging and caring for children. We are so excited when children come into our doors and sad when they age out of the program and go to kindergarten.”
Currently, Sprouts Early Childhood Learning Center has 10 staff and is in the process of hiring additional qualified staff. There are 26 children in the program and the Center has the capacity for 46 children between the ages of six weeks and five years of age. The Center is particularly excited to be opening a new infant room – one of the few centers in Cambridge to have openings for infants.
The Center’s physical space is new – part of DCS’s new state-of-the-art building at 108 Chesapeake Street in Cambridge which opened in April 2022 and includes a large modern playground.
“I cannot wait for the weather to get nice so that we can consistently go outside with the children,” Simpson adds.
Another special aspect of the Center is the involvement of DCS’s Senior Center with the children. Seniors do monthly intergenerational crafts and games and read with the children, as well as rock the babies. In addition, seniors host the Center’s annual preschool graduation and provide “Bubble Day” once a month where they interact by blowing bubbles for the children in the daycare. In February, the Senior Center invited the children to participate in their fashion show.
For further information or to arrange a tour of Sprouts Early Childhood Learning Center @ Chesapeake Grove in Cambridge, contact Petrae Simpson at 410-221-1900 ext. 401.
We wish to thank our community program supporters for their generous contributions!
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Delmarva Community Services, Inc., observes Title VI rules, which assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1987, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity. For more information or to file a complaint, please contact our HR Department at 410-221-1900, extension 404
Delmarva Community Services, Inc is an equal opportunity Employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, genetics or any other category protected under applicable law.