School employees who support the mental health of Delaware students are being recognized for their work.

The state will name its 2023 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year at a statewide celebration on Thursday, June 8. Delaware’s 19 districts and the Delaware Charter School Network named local Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year for 2023. Following an application and interview process, one will be named the state honoree.

“Behavioral health professionals are critical to the success of our schools and communities,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “They often are working with our children and families when they are the most vulnerable. They help them navigate struggles and find the resources and supports they need to be healthy and successful in school and life.”

The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year (BHPY) program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:

• School counselors
• School social workers
• Licensed clinical social workers
• School psychologists
• School nurses

From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network honoree receives a $2,000 personal award from the professional’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State honorees receive an additional $3,000 personal award from the department as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of the state honoree’s students.

The 2023 District/Charter Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year are:

*Appoquinimink School District: Carlton Adams (multiple sites, school social worker)

*Brandywine School District: Heather Richards (Harlan Elementary, school psychologist)

*Caesar Rodney School District: Emily White (Fifer Middle, mental health counselor)

*Cape Henlopen School District: Tara Gambale (Sussex Consortium, school psychologist)

*Capital School District: Jennifer Marciarello Benson**  (William Henry Middle, behavior interventionist)

*Christina School District: Trudy Small (Downes Elementary, school nurse)

*Colonial School District: Courtney Waters (New Castle Elementary, family support therapist)

*Delaware Charter School Network: Cynthia Hovan (Academy of Dover, school nurse)

*Delmar School District: Nicole LaPearl (Delmar Middle and High, school psychologist/special services coordinator)

*Indian River School District: Jessi Ford (Showell Elementary, school counselor)

*Lake Forest School District: Dana Carey (Lake Forest North Elementary, school counselor)

*Laurel School District: Sharon Dolby** (Laurel Elementary, school counselor)

*Milford School District: Ally Zanks (Lulu Ross Elementary, school counselor)

*New Castle County Vo-Tech School District: Mark W. Wells (district SEL coach/school counselor)

*POLYTECH School District: Ivy Truitt (POLYTECH High, school counselor)

*Red Clay Consolidated School District: Lauren Lee (multiple sites, school psychologist)

*Seaford School District: Evan Wagner (Blades Elementary, school counselor)

*Smyrna School District: Jessica Krambeck (Early Childhood Program, school psychologist)

*Sussex Technical School District: Catherine Schilling (Sussex Technical High, mental health counselor)

*Woodbridge School District: Trisha Stiles (Woodbridge High, school counselor)

**Not participating in state program

Find photos of the honorees online here.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

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