Funded by Barclays US Consumer Bank, program will leverage free training initiative to develop customer experience talent in Delaware

Wilmington, DE – Tech Impact, the Delaware Department of Correction and the Delaware Department of Education announced today the launch of a pilot cohort of the Tech Impact customer experience training program, CXWorks, at Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution (BWCI). The program, already popular in Las Vegas, is funded by a grant from Barclays in an effort to connect women, who are returning citizens, with local support and community resources that will help them obtain employment.

“We are excited to pilot CXWorks in Delaware alongside our partners Barclays and Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution. This program will train and employ women in the high demand sector of customer service,” said Patrick Callihan, Chief Executive Officer of Tech Impact. “Barclays has supported the program since its inception in Nevada in 2016, and we’re hoping to replicate the success that market has experienced, having graduated 160 people with over 80% job placement rate.”

Tech Impact’s CXWorks is a free, eight-week workforce development program that offers career training and certification to individuals who are ready to master the customer experience. Students immerse themselves in the skills and knowledge required for call and “contact” center positions, helping companies take care of customer service needs over the phone, instant messaging, and other forms of communication.

“The CXWorks training program aligns perfectly with our mission to successfully prepare women to re-enter our community,” said Dr. Dwight BoNey, Teacher Supervisor at Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution. “We work hard to instill professionalism, work ethic and soft skills into every student in our program. CXWorks complements our program, giving the ladies at BWCI the opportunity for career training in customer service and creating opportunities for employment upon release in an industry that is in high demand.”

Six BWCI residents are participating in Tech Impact’s first CXWorks training class.  All participants have already earned a GED or are currently working to earn a GED and were selected, in part, because they are approaching their release from incarceration later this year.  Upon the successful completion of CXWorks, BWCI’s graduates will earn an industry recognized customer service certification.  Following their release from incarceration Tech Impact staff will follow up to help them secure job placement in the community.

“The Delaware Department of Correction is pleased to be the first correctional system in the country to bring the CXWorks employment training program into a prison facility,” said Delaware Department of Correction Commissioner Monroe B. Hudson Jr. “We value the partnership that is providing this new pathway to help incarcerated people learn practical skills they can use to obtain employment and drive their reentry success.”

“Barclays is committed to partnering with organizations that are focused on creating opportunities and removing the barriers to success for those who are looking for work,” said Jenn Cho, Head of Citizenship for Barclays US Consumer Bank. “The CXWorks training program offers valuable tools to help these women build a better future and to develop the skills and confidence necessary for work.”

Employers interested in becoming a hiring partner can learn more by registering here.  This is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

About Tech Impact

Tech Impact is a nonprofit that leverages technology to advance social impact. Our proven workforce training programs and intermediary services prepare our graduates to launch or advance their careers in technology. We strengthen nonprofits through a full spectrum of technological support, giving them the education and services they need to deliver greater impact and help their communities thrive. Learn more at techimpact.org.

About Barclays US Consumer Bank

Barclays US Consumer Bank is a leading co-branded credit card issuer and financial services partner in the United States that creates highly customized programs to drive customer loyalty and engagement for some of the country’s most successful travel, entertainment, retail and affinity institutions. The bank offers co-branded credit cards, small business credit cards, installment loans, POS Finance, online savings accounts, and CDs. For more information, please visit www.BarclaysUS.com.

Barclays is a British universal bank. We are diversified by business, by different types of customer and client, and geography. Our businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the world, as well as a top-tier, full service, global corporate and investment bank, all of which are supported by our service company which provides technology, operations and functional services across the Group. For further information about Barclays, please visit www.barclays.com.

Major George S. Welch Elementary School in the Caesar Rodney School District is Delaware’s first Purple Star School, recognized for its commitment to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children.

“Military-connected children often face challenges, from parent and caregiver deployment to frequent school transitions as their families’ military stations change,” Governor John Carney said. “The Welch school community has prioritized providing the extra supports these students need and should be proud to be named Delaware’s first Purple Star School.”

April is Month of the Military Child, a national recognition of the sacrifices military-connected children make so their families can serve our country.

“Taking care of military children is integral to caring for the Dover family,” said Col. Matt Husemann, 436^th Airlift Wing commander. “Welch Elementary and the Caesar Rodney School District are awesome, and we are thankful for all they do for the Dover AFB family. Being named a Purple Star School further demonstrates the dedication of the amazing faculty and staff as they provide an outstanding education in harmony with supporting military families’ unique situations.”

Last year the Delaware General Assembly passed Senate Bill 117 to create the Purple Star School recognition, joining the National Purple Star Schools Program.  To be designated a Purple Star School, a district or charter school must designate a staff member as a military liaison to: identify military-connected youth, serve as a contact between the school and their families, determine appropriate school services for the children and help coordinate school programs relevant to military-connected youth. In addition to participating in training on how to support the military-connected families with the specific challenges they face, the liaison also must conduct school-wide professional development to inform all staff of the unique needs of military-connected students and available resources.

Delaware Purple Star Schools also must have designated web pages with resources and information relevant to military-connected families and establish a transition program for youth. The school also must show support for military-connected children and their families through a recognition event or support programs.

“Military-connected children often move every two to three years, which can cause disruptions to their education as well as their social and emotional well-being. Our goal is to make Delaware as supportive a home as possible for these children and their families while they are in the First State,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “Welch is our first Purple Star School, but I hope every school in our state will follow its example and provide such strong supports to their own military-connected families.”

Delaware’s Purple Star designation is valid for three years.

“The Caesar Rodney School District is proud to have so many military-connected children in our community,” Superintendent Christine Alois said. “These students and their families sacrifice much for our nation, and we are honored to serve them.”

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

The Delaware Department of Education is seeking sponsors for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the program, which is managed locally by the Delaware Department of Education.   Sponsors in CACFP can receive reimbursement for meals served in compliance with program regulations at qualifying child care centers, adult day care centers, emergency shelters, family day care homes and afterschool programs.  Sponsors may be reimbursed for up to two meals and one snack, or two snacks and one meal, per participant each day.  Participant eligibility is tied to income eligibility guidelines that are adjusted annually by the USDA.  The current eligibility guidelines are as follows:

FOR USE BY CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM

INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR REDUCED PRICE MEALS

Effective Date:  July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022

These are the income scales used by Child Nutrition Programs to determine eligibility for free and reduced price meals.

Conversion Factors: Conversion is required if there are multiple income sources with more than one frequency (Example: a ‘monthly’ Social Security check and a ‘weekly’ wage stub), the participating agency must annualize all income by multiplying: Weekly income by 52; Bi-weekly income (received every two weeks) by 26; Semi-monthly income (received twice a month) by 24; Monthly income by 12

For more information please call the Delaware Department of Education Nutrition Office at (302) 857-3356.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1)   mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2)   fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3)   email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Three Delaware schools have been awarded Delaware Wraparound Services Initiative grants from the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE).

As recommended by the Redding Consortium for Educational Equity, this competitive, one-time grant provides $4.5 million to districts and charter schools serving extraordinary percentages of children living in poverty. Funding is designed to support programs offered before school, after school and during summer months that also include health services like emotional wellbeing care and behavioral health assistance.

The following schools received funding.

• The Bancroft School – Christina School District ($958,000)
• The Bayard School – Christina School District ($1,238,000)
• Kuumba Academy Charter School ($1,416,855)

The goal of the Delaware Wraparound Services Initiative grant is to establish or expand community learning centers that provide students with academic and non-academic opportunities as well as high-quality preventative health care and mental health assistance when schools are not in session.

“It is essential that we address the needs of the whole child as we work toward better student outcomes. It is also important that we build positive learning experiences that help our students connect their learning to the world around them. We are so excited to provide both enrichment and extra learning time for our students,” Christina Superintendent Dan Shelton said.

Schools may contract with third parties to operate some or all of the programs.

For Kuumba Academy Charter School, the grant provides funding to expand its already successful afterschool and summer enrichment program with Wilmington’s Community Education Building (CEB). An additional 160 students will be able to access the enrichment program’s academic tutoring, career readiness, counseling, arts education and social emotional programming designed to help low-performing students meet achievement standards in reading and mathematics.

Kuumba is also partnering with ChristianaCare to establish a student-based health center that will provide onsite preventative care, mental health, and acute care services for all 637 Kuumba Academy students.

“We have been working toward adding a school-based health center for several years,” Kuumba Academy Head of School Sally Maldonado said. “We are so grateful for this grant opportunity to bring this dream to fruition for our students and families.”

Additionally, Kuumba plans to leverage its existing partnership with CEB to expand its capacity to provide crisis services, coaching and development, mental health counseling and more to families. Kuumba’s ParentCamp and CEB’s Families Achieving More (FAM) programs will work with families to promote supportive environments in the homes and communities where students live.

“Kuumba is deeply committed to serving the whole child and family, and these additional services will help us make tremendous strides in doing just that,” Maldonado said.

For Christina, the Wraparound Services Initiative grant allows both The Bancroft School and The Bayard School to partner with the United Way of Delaware (UWDE) and the Life Health Center (LHC) to provide students with tutoring, extra-curricular activities, preventative health care and assistance with mental health. LHC will implement telehealth services as well as on-site services at the Stubbs Early Education Center (SEEC). At Bayard, LHC will support the school’s wellness center. Both organizations will invite and actively recruit families to participate in services.

“In recent years, our schools have learned about and implemented trauma-informed practices and protocols so that our scholars could engage in content-rich instruction in order to be successful citizens,” Christina School District wrote in its grant application. “We cannot do this in isolation. It is imperative that we partner with community and wellness organizations to assist with this key endeavor. This Wraparound Grant will be a valuable resource to support our work.”

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick praised the grant awardees on their commitment to meeting student, family and community needs.

“Strong schools are more than student learning buildings. They are community hubs, trusted spaces where families and children alike can access needed services,” he said. “These grants will help Kuumba, Bancroft and Bayard provide critical academic and health supports. When our families and communities are healthier, our students and schools are more successful.”

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

The Delaware Department of Education has named five Delaware teachers as state finalists for the 2022 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest recognition that K-12 STEM teachers can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Finalists’ applications now will move forward to the national level for final selection of the 2022 PAEMST Awardees.

The 2022 Delaware state finalists are:

Mathematics

• Jason Orlen, East Millsboro Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Michele (Missy) Snyder, Major George Welch Elementary School, Caesar Rodney School District
• Allison Van Ness, Clayton Intermediate School, Smyrna School District

Science

• Maria Cobb, Mount Pleasant Elementary School, Brandywine School District
• Jaime Swartz, John M Clayton Elementary School, Indian River School District

Find photos of the finalists here.

The goal of the PAEMST award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching (including technology, engineering and computer science) in addition to honoring individual achievement. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of STEM education.  The award alternates between teachers of kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades.  Every year each state selects up to three mathematics teachers and three science teachers as state finalists. A national selection committee reviews state finalist applications and selects one awardee in each content area for every state. Teachers are recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science. As part of the recognition process, awardees take part in a weeklong series of networking and professional development activities in Washington, D.C., and receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.

Additionally, the 2021 DE state finalists also are awaiting final selection by the national panel. The 2021 DE state finalists who were announced last summer are:

• Katherine Hoffecker (mathematics), Odessa High School, Appoquinimink School District
• Tommie Polite (mathematics), Laurel Middle School, Laurel School District
• Michael Reitemeyer (mathematics), Las Americas ASPIRA Academy Charter School
• Corey Butterfield (science), George Read Middle School, Colonial School District
• Brian Heeney (science), Delcastle Technical High School, New Castle County Vo-Tech School District
• Erin Motley (science), Gunning Bedford Middle School, Colonial School District

The White House announcement of national awardees for both 2021 and 2022 are expected within the 2022 calendar year. Congratulations to all Delaware finalists!

For more information about PAEMST and to see nomination forms and application instructions, visit www.paemst.org.

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