Governor’s Weekly Message: Expanding Treatment Services to Fight Addiction

(Wilmington, DE) – In his weekly message, Governor Markell outlines the most significant expansion of Delaware’s treatment services in over a decade in a proposal he announced earlier this week.

“Across our state, families are worried that if their loved ones aren’t soon connected to treatment, any single day could be their last,” said Governor Markell. “By connecting people to the services and support they need, and by remembering that a lost opportunity for them is a missed opportunity for all of us to benefit from their talents, we’ll fight this disease and save lives – and that will keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/FygKkFZPoDU
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
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Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Expanding Treatment Services to Fight Addiction


Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Expanding Treatment Services to Fight Addiction

Last year in Delaware, 185 people died of a suspected overdose. That’s one person every other day. Across our state, families are worried that if their loved ones are not soon connected to treatment, any single day could be their last. It’s clear addiction is a disease that impacts all of us, which means we all play a role in fighting it.

This past week, I proposed the most significant expansion of Delaware’s treatment services in over a decade. It calls for increasing withdrawal management services statewide and ensuring clinics match services to individuals’ needs, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll double the number of sober living residential beds statewide from 60 to 120, allowing more individuals who are in the early stages of recovery to live in safe, secure housing that is free from drugs and alcohol. To provide a strong foundation for long-term recovery for young people age 18 to 25, we’ll also doubling the number of beds available to those who are beginning their recoveries from opiate addiction. And we’ll increase accessibility to residential treatment by opening new programs statewide.

The proposal would support several efforts already underway. These include the recently launched information website www.HelpIsHereDE.com, which features prevention information and tips for parents and teens, along with treatment and recovery resources for those already impacted by addiction.

When Delawareans are ready for treatment, we must have beds available for them. By connecting people to the services and support they need, and by remembering that a lost opportunity for them is a missed opportunity for all of us to benefit from their talents, we’ll fight this disease and save lives. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.


Delaware Forest Service’s 5th Annual Arborist Seminar at Hagley on March 3 and 4

 

The Fifth Annual Delaware Arborist and Tree Care Seminar will be held on March 3 and 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Hagley Museum & Soda House, 298 Buck Road, Wilmington, DE 19807. Sponsored by the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, the annual gathering offers classroom lectures, hands-on training, and on-site exhibits offering the latest knowledge and techniques for those interested in proper tree care and safety. This year’s topics will include: crane safety for tree care workers, pesticide application, mature tree care and hazard risk assessment, new tree and shrub introductions, how to use i-Tree to assess and manage urban forests, as well as optional CPR and first aid training. Continuing education credits for International Society of Arboriculture certification and Delaware pesticide credits will be offered.

Cost is $90 with lunch included both days. (There is no single-day registration option). All major credit cards (Mastercard, VISA, American Express, and Discover) are accepted. Attendees can register and pay online online at EventBrite. Those who wish to pay by check or money order are asked to complete the online form to complete and confirm their registration (instructions on where to mail payment are provided). Last year’s event in Sussex County drew 140 tree care professionals.

Contact: Kesha Braunskill, Delaware Forest Service, (302) 659-6704, email:kesha.braunskill@delaware.gov

 


Markell FY 2016 Budget Invests in Creating Opportunity for Delawareans; Focuses on Preparing Students for New Economy

Photos from the event

Governor highlights efforts to support job growth and strengthen schools as well as make improvements to Substance Use Treatment and Prevention efforts

Budget meets growing demands for services while maintaining fiscal responsibility

Dover, DE – Governor Jack Markell today unveiled a balanced budget proposal that promotes increased educational and job opportunities and strengthens the State’s resources for those battling substance use disorders. The budget maintains the Governor’s commitment to fiscal responsibility by appropriating 98 percent of available revenues and sustaining a fully funded Rainy Day Fund.FY16Budget

“Our budget reflects our values,” said Markell. “We must ensure our children and grandchildren have the same kind of bright future that previous generations left behind for us, and that means concentrating our investments where they can have the most impact in creating economic opportunities for Delawareans.”

At today’s budget release, Markell highlighted the difficult economic times Delaware has faced even as the state has realized significant achievements in creating jobs, strengthening schools, and improving quality of life in the state during difficult budget times. When adjusted for inflation and population growth, the size of government has decreased since 2009.

Supporting Delawareans to Seize Opportunities for a Bright Future

Educating Students for Tomorrow’s Workforce The budget proposes a significant increase in public education funding, including: $15.3 million for 186 new teacher units to meet the demands of increased enrollment in public schools; $9.8 million for salary step increases for school employees; $1.9 million to annualize and continue progress on the pay plan for paraprofessionals.

In addition, Markell outlined $9.5 million in additional state funding based on feedback from teachers, principals, and other school leaders about the initiatives that are having the greatest impact in Delaware classrooms. These resources will support specific requests from the education community and will sustain efforts begun when Delaware won the federal Race to the Top grant at a fraction of the amount provided by the federal government over the last four years. Initiatives include:

    • Student intervention and response, which allows educators to better target high-quality instruction to match needs of individual students who are not making sufficient progress
    • Support for English Language Learners, including bilingual programming, transition education, and additional English learning support
    • School safety enhancements consistent with recent school safety efforts supported by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security
    • Grants to high needs schools for initiatives that have proven to help students, like extending the school year, providing three meals a day, and offering after-school and summer programs.
    • Recruitment, mentorship, and retention of great teachers and principals, which includes maintenance of the statewide online hiring portal used by nearly every district and charter school to recruit and hire earlier.
    • Tracking student progress and identifying student needs by maintaining and upgrading the state’s student data system, giving teachers access to information that helps them examine which lessons are working and how others can be improved.
    • Supporting teachers in developing lessons aligned with the Common Core standards for college and career readiness.
    • College access efforts, including College Application Month, financial aid help, school-day SAT, and continued expansion of Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses that provide opportunities to earn college credit.

“We should be incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in our schools,” said Markell. “Proficiency is up. More students are reaching their growth goals, and staying on track to graduate high school. The drop-out rate is at a 30-year low. And more students are earning college credit while in high school, and going on to attend and complete college. With the end of the Race to the Top grant, we have an opportunity to evaluate the investments we’ve made and use what we’ve learned about how to best support our students and educators going forward.”

Creating Opportunities for Delawareans with Substance Use Disorders

Like many states across the country, Delaware is facing an addiction epidemic that continues to grow each year.

Last year, 185 Delawareans died from a suspected drug overdose and nearly 10,000 adults sought public treatment for addiction.  Governor Markell’s budget makes significant investments in the area of substance use, including $4.5 million for the following improvements:

    • Increase withdrawal management services statewide, both at the New Castle County facility and the new detox center in Harrington, which will open by June to serve the southern part of the state. As the first step to recovery for many individuals, this is a combination of medically monitored and clinically managed inpatient withdrawal services that provide individualized care to match each person’s needs.
    • Double the number of sober living residential beds statewide from 60 to 120. These beds allow individuals who are in the early stages of recovery to live in safe and secure housing that is free from drugs and alcohol. When necessary, these beds accommodate needs for safe, secure, drug/alcohol free housing as the recovery process continues.
    • Double from 16 to 32 the number of residential treatment beds available for young people age 18 to 25 who are beginning their recoveries. These facilities give young people a safe and structured place to live while in treatment.
    • Add 17 residential treatment beds.
    • Increase by 100 the capacity of Oxford Houses that provide a sober living environment where people in recovery start their lives anew. It brings the statewide total to 500.

These efforts are complemented by a focus on education, prevention, and early intervention.

“We will create a more flexible treatment system that meets the needs of individuals challenged by addiction where they are, as opposed to relying on a “one size fits all” model,” said Governor Markell. “At the same time, we will put an increased emphasis on education, prevention, and early intervention.”

Spurring Economic Development and Improving Quality of LifeFY16Budget

The Governor’s budget continues efforts to invest in economic development that creates jobs and improves the quality of life in Delaware’s communities. The recommended budget includes:

    • $7 million to promote economic activity in designated Downtown Development Districts. Established last year, this program strengthens and enhances downtown areas by subsidizing rehabilitation and construction up to 20 percent of the total project cost. Three downtowns were recently designated to receive funding provided in last fiscal year’s budget, including Wilmington, Dover, and Seaford.
    • $10 million for a container crane and infrastructure improvements at the Port of Wilmington.
    • $1 million for the Federal Research and Development Matching Grants, continuing an effort started last year to encourage innovation.
    • $2.7 million to train offenders with job skills so they are more likely to contribute to their communities and less likely to reoffend when they are released. The budget invests $1.2 million for renovations to the cafeteria at the James T. Vaughn Correctional facility in Smyrna to support the Matt Haley Culinary Arts Program and $1.5 million for the Automotive Skills Facility at James T. Vaughn Correctional Facility.
    • $3 million to continue the Governor’s efforts to improve quality of life through statewide trails and pathways.
    • $5 million for libraries in Delmar, Lewes, Route 9/13, and Harrington.

Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

As in previous years, the Governor’s budget reflects the challenges of limited revenues despite continued economic growth.

The Governor has proposed a combination of agency and program cuts and reduction to balance the budget while investing in education and economic opportunity in a fiscally responsible way. One of these proposals will reduce the growth of seniors’ property tax subsidy.  This subsidy has continued to grow as more Delawareans become eligible for it upon reaching the age of 65.  By 2025, the population of Delawareans over the age of 65 is expected to top 21 percent, at a cost to the State of more than $46 million, compared to $8.7 million at the time the program launched in 2001 when seniors accounted for about 13 percent of the state’s population.

The Governor proposes reducing by half the subsidy for those who qualify. Currently, property owners receive a subsidy of $500, or 50 percent of their school taxes if that amount would be less than $500. Under this proposal, property owners would receive a subsidy of $250, or 25 percent of their school taxes if that amount would be less than $250. This will save the State $12.6 million in the Fiscal Year 2016 Recommended Operating Budget.

Final Budget Totals

The Fiscal Year 2016 Recommended Operating Budget totals $3,900.0 million. The proposed Fiscal Year 2016 Recommended Bond and Capital Improvements Act totals $385.8 million and includes $246.8 million in State agency capital projects and $139.0 million in Transportation projects. The Governor also set aside $45.4 million for Grants-in-Aid.

A power point of the proposal is available online: http://governor.delaware.gov/docs/FINAL_FY_2016_budget_presentation.pdf

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Traffic Safety News – Super Bowl XLIX

The Super Bowl is America’s most watched national sporting event. On Super Bowl Sunday, February 1, there will be lots of game day socializing that may include drinking. OHS and law enforcement officials are urging football fans to choose sides now: drinking OR driving.

What you need to know

Did you know last year nearly half of all traffic crashes in Delaware were caused by impaired drivers?   The risk of injury or death is simply too high. Don’t think it could happen to you? Consider these facts about DUI in the first state:

  • Nearly 4,000 people were arrested for Driving Under the Influence in 2014.
  • 23% of DUI arrests occurred between 9 PM and 12 AM. And, a staggering 44% were between 12 AM and 4 AM.
  • 3 out of every 4 drivers arrested for DUI were male.
  • 73% of the people arrested registered a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .13 or higher, well above the legal limit of .08.

What you can do

Drunk driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning. Which side will you choose? Pick your game plan and stick with it!

  • Drinking: For those who plan to drink, leave your keys at home. Designate a sober driver, whether it’s a friend, relative, taxi, or public transportation.
  • Driving: For those who plan to drive, refrain from any alcohol. Instead, enjoy the game with food and non-alcoholic drinks. Being a sober, designated driver is a key role on Super Bowl Sunday. You might just save a life.

If you plan on drinking on Super Bowl Sunday, designate a sober driver to get you home safely. Drink or drive but never do both.

 

Drive Sober. Arrive Alive DE.