DOVER – On Saturday, November 22nd, the State of Delaware came together to celebrate National Adoption Month at an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of adoption and honoring the families and professionals who make it possible. Hosted by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families’ Division of Family Services (DFS) and the Interagency Committee on Adoption (IACOA), a partnership among Delaware’s child welfare agencies, the event highlighted the loving families who welcomed children into their lives and recognized those who work to ensure every child finds a safe and permanent home.

IACOA Co-Chairs Wendy Atanacio, Foster Care/Adoption Counselor, and Abby Fischer, Program Administrator & Data Analyst, both with Children & Families First, emphasized the hope and meaning behind the day.

“We’re so grateful to help make National Adoption Day a reality in Delaware. The world of foster care and adoption is often full of grief and challenges but today provides us with an opportunity to celebrate hope – children finding families who have made a lifelong commitment to walk beside them on their journey, support them in their endeavors, and allow them to thrive.”

The event, held at the Murphey School in Dover, featured seven heartfelt adoption ceremonies and honored families who expanded their homes to 75 children through adoption this year.
Delaware Family Court Judges Arlene Coppadge Eliza Hirst, Peter Jones, Mardi Pyott, and Louann Vari had the honor of finalizing adoptions for two families in front of an audience of family, friends, advocates, and social workers.

On behalf of Governor Meyer, Trenee Parker, Division of Family Services Director, presented a proclamation declaring November 2025 National Adoption Month, recognizing the importance of adoption, honoring families and professionals who support children, and reaffirming the State’s commitment to permanency, well-being, and ongoing support for children and families.

“There’s something powerful about coming together to celebrate adoption during the Thanksgiving season, when gratitude is top of mind,” said Parker. “We are deeply thankful to the families who open their hearts and homes through adoption. Today marks an important step forward, but the journey continues. Families who have adopted can access post-adoption supports along the way, because no one should have to navigate this experience alone.”

For more information about adoption and free post-adoption resources in Delaware, visit kids.delaware.gov/family-services/adoption/, call 302-633-2658 or email adoption.dscyf@delaware.gov.

To learn about children in Delaware seeking adoptive families, visit https://kids.delaware.gov/family-services/heartgallery/.

A recording of Delaware’s National Adoption Day celebration is available to watch online.

About DSCYF
The Delaware Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance use disorders, and/or have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. It has four divisions: Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services, Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, Division of Family Services and Division of Management Support Services. For more information, please visit kids.delaware.gov.

WILMINGTON, Del. — This week, during Public Service Recognition Week, the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) proudly celebrates the extraordinary contributions of its staff through both state-level and departmental awards.

“Public service is about people, and our team represents the very best of what it means to serve,” said Steve Yeatman, Secretary of DSCYF. “We are proud to recognize the individuals and teams who consistently go above and beyond to help Delaware’s children and families thrive.”

While we celebrate this year’s honorees at both the state and department levels, we also acknowledge the dedication of every DSCYF team member whose work makes a difference in the lives of Delaware’s children and families every day.

Statewide Recognition: Governor’s Awards

• Kathleen Rees, Sherrie Downs, and Micheala Vanderslice received the Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service. This award recognizes employees for their exemplary service and dedication.
  • Kathi Rees, a Family Crisis Therapist Supervisor with the Division of Family Services, leads the second shift in New Castle County and has provided statewide coverage for nearly a year, often working double shifts. Kathi manages the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line, supports her team through high-stress situations, and leads with compassion and dedication, playing a critical role in protecting vulnerable children and maintaining frontline operations statewide.
  • Sherrie Downs and Micheala Vanderslice, Family Crisis Therapists with the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services, were honored for their exceptional teamwork, skillfully balancing authority and therapeutic care to support rehabilitative goals in secure care settings. Drawing on their frontline experience, they advocate for youth, engage families and provide essential guidance. Recently, they secured food, transportation, and educational resources for a distressed youth’s family, going well beyond their job duties.
• The GEAR P3 Innovation and Efficiency Award was presented to DSCYF’s Updated Retention Schedules Team: Jill Hamilton (Project Lead), Varina Marshall, Alexandria Blake, Allia Smith, Lindsey Joslin, and Benedictine Ramos. This award recognizes teams that serve as role models in their application of continuous improvement techniques and achievement of outstanding results. The Updated Retention Schedules Team modernized business record retention practices within DPBHS, identifying over 900 boxes for removal and generating approximately $540,000 in annual savings.

Learn more about the Governor’s Awards.

Departmental Recognition: DSCYF Employee Awards

DSCYF recognized its 2024 internal employee awards, celebrating outstanding service and leadership across the agency.

• Employee of the Year: Kathleen Rees, Division of Family Services, was also honored at the department level for her leadership, support of frontline staff and continued efforts to ensure children receive critical support statewide.
• Team of the Year: Micheala Vanderslice & Sherrie Downs, Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services, were also recognized at the department level for their work as Family Crisis Therapists with justice-involved youth in secure care facilities. They were recognized for helping youth shift their beliefs and actions, allowing them the opportunity to make different choices after they are released from custody. They are fierce advocates for the youth they serve and go beyond their day-to-day duties to support both young people and their families.
• Supervisor of the Year: Amanda Pedicone, Division of Family Services, honored for her strong leadership of the Kent and New Castle Counties Serious Injury and Sex Abuse Units. While often supporting Sussex County, Amanda manages high-stakes cases with urgency and care and always makes time to guide her team. She inspires and leads with excellence.
• Support Staff of the Year: Paige Ott, Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, was recognized for her proactive support. Paige mastered new tools, improved resource management, and strengthened event logistics.
• Rising Star Awards:
  • Jonathon Berrios, Division of Management Support Services/MIS, for outstanding IT support and leadership in onboarding and phone system migration.
  • Halima Bryant, Division of Family Services, for her strength-based, outcomes-focused casework with vulnerable youth and families.
  • Dillon Johnson, Division of Management Support Services/MIS, for innovations in building automation and security systems that enhance efficiency and compliance.
• John E. Stevenson Award: Deidra McNatt, Division of Management Support Services, for exemplifying the values of compassion, leadership, and dedication. As Supervisor of the Criminal History Unit, Deidra has guided colleagues through complex system transitions and policy updates while volunteering her time to support youth programming. Her optimism, initiative, and collaborative spirit reflect the legacy of the award’s namesake.

Watch the DSCYF Employee Awards Presentation

We are proud to celebrate these honorees and all DSCYF staff for their commitment to public service throughout the year.

About Public Service Recognition Week
Public Service Recognition Week is celebrated annually during the first week of May to honor the contributions of government employees across the country. For more information, visit the Partnership for Public Service.

More than 40 employees receive recognition for their artistic excellence

 

Dover, Del. (March 24, 2025) – Creativity and artistic expression were on full display at the 14th Annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition, where employees and their families shared their talents with the community. Hosted by the Delaware Division of the Arts, this highly anticipated exhibition ran from February 25 – March 21, 2025, at the Arts Center/Gallery at Delaware State University in Dover. With an impressive 209 submissions from State of Delaware employees and their immediate family members, the exhibition provided a platform to celebrate creativity, recognize artistic excellence, and highlight the diverse talents within the state workforce.

The winners were officially announced on March 9, 2025, at a special awards ceremony held at the Delaware State University Arts Center/Gallery. The event drew an audience of 300 attendees, including state employees, family members, and community supporters. Attendees heard from Governor Matt Meyer, Secretary of Human Resources Yvonne Anders-Gordon, Delaware Division of the Arts Director Jessica Ball, and Deputy Director Kristin Pleasanton, who all shared inspiring remarks about the importance of the arts in fostering creativity, connection, and innovation within the state workforce.

“This exhibition is a testament to the immense creativity within Delaware’s state workforce and their families,” said Jessica Ball, Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts. “Art has the power to inspire, connect, and strengthen communities, and it’s wonderful to see how these employees bring that creativity into their professional and personal lives.”

“Providing an opportunity for state employees and their families to showcase their creative work fosters an appreciation for the arts in unexpected places,” said Kristin Pleasanton, Deputy Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts. “The enthusiasm and talent on display this year were truly inspiring, and we are honored to celebrate these artists.”

The exhibition was more than just a competition; it was a showcase of artistic passion and innovation. Through a range of mediums—painting, photography, sculpture, works on paper, craft, and mixed media—participants demonstrated the power of visual storytelling. Beyond the awards, the event fostered a sense of community, underscoring the importance of the arts in professional and personal life.

Submissions for the 15th Annual State Employee Art Exhibition will begin to be accepted in mid-December 2026.  For more information on next year’s deadlines (when posted), visit the Division’s website.

A gallery of winning artwork can be found here.

 

2025 Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition Winners:

(Click names to see their artwork)

 

Best of Show ($400): Brianna Shetzler, Department of Education, Clayton

Art Education Award ($200): Nawal Noon, Department of Education, Newark

 

People’s Choice Award:

Online: Kayleigh Vodvarka, Department of Education, Bridgeville

In-Person: Rick Slocum, Department of Health and Social Services, Smyrna

 

Special Awards:

Abstract: David Chambers, Voices (2024, Painting), Department of State, Smyrna

Landscape: Jung Marie Kim, Department of Education, Middletown

Monochrome: Cassie Hilliard, Department of Education, Magnolia

Pets: Sandra Henning, Department of Education, Frederica

Marine Life: Annabelle Taylor, Delaware Technical and Community College, Georgetown

Portrait: Sharif Sadiq, State Housing Authority, Seaford

 

Professional Category:

First Place ($350): Donald Doheny, Department of Education, Bridgeville

Second Place ($250): Cindy Morris, Department of Education, Hockessin

Third Place ($150): Sallyanne McLaughlin, Department of Education, Greenwood

Honorable Mentions: Caitlyn Rudolph (DOE, Vineland, NJ), Marciana Esteves (DHSS, Milford), Rick Burrow (DOE, Camden-Wyoming)

 

Intermediate Category:

First Place ($350): Elizabeth Chen, Department of Education, Middletown

Second Place ($250): Chloe Hannah, Department of Education, Camden

Third Place ($150): Michael L. Conlan Jr., Department of Health and Social Services, Wilmington

Honorable Mentions: Logan Farro (DHSS, Greenwood), Hyo Lee (DSU, Dover), Grume Abraham (DOT, Newark), Sydney Horton (OMB, Dover)

 

Amateur Category:

First Place ($350): Maureen McCambridge, Department of Education, Houston

Second Place ($250): Brady Lamers, Department of Finance, Middletown

Third Place ($150): Akane Miyazawa, Department of Education, Middletown

Honorable Mentions: Ben Ables (DOE, Georgetown), Ashley Jensen (DOE, Camden), Adenike Davidson (DSU, Dover)

 

Teen Category:

First Place ($150): Sophie Rissmiller, Department of Education, Coatesville, PA

Second Place ($100): Nathanael Taylor, Department of Education, Milton

Third Place ($50): Kendall Hill, Department of Education, Middletown

Honorable Mentions: Kamora Jones (DOT, Wilmington), Chase Puszkarczuk (DOE, Wilmington), Leah R. Cooper (DOF, Milford), Kaitlyn Ritts (DOE, Greenwood)

 

Youth Category:

First Place ($150): Elly Wendel, Department of Education, Wilmington

Second Place ($100): Leah Citron, Department of State, Wilmington

Third Place ($50): Izzabella West, DNREC, Camden

Honorable Mentions: Christopher Saxton Jr. (DNREC, Camden), Hannah Parnell (DOE, Wilmington), Norah Parnell (DOE, Wilmington), Sabrina Rambo (DNREC, Harrington)

 

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Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications

302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

About the National Arts Program

At the National Arts Program, we empower organizations across the country to host art exhibitions that showcase the creativity of their employees and families. By fostering a strong and inclusive community that builds confidence, encourages risk-taking, and values self-expression, we grow and strengthen workplaces and communities. We ensure that creativity is recognized and validated, sometimes for the first time, with prizes, scholarships, and awards programs. Learn more at https://nationalartsprogram.org/.

Celebrating Employee Creativity and Encouraging Connection and Innovation

 

Dover, Del. (February 26, 2025) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is proud to host the 14th Annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition, showcasing the artistic talents of state employees and their immediate family members. The free exhibition will be open to the public from February 25 – March 21, 2025, at the Arts Center/Gallery at Delaware State University in Dover.

This year, 209 State of Delaware employees and their family members submitted artwork to compete for awards and cash prizes. Categories include Adult (Amateur, Intermediate, and Professional), Teen, and Youth, with winners receiving monetary awards ranging from $50 to $400. A Best of Show and People’s Choice Awards will also be presented.

Beyond recognizing artistic talent, the exhibition underscores the importance of creativity in the workplace and its role in fostering innovation across state agencies. “Creativity is at the heart of innovation, and Delaware state employees embody that every day—whether through problem-solving, collaboration, or finding new ways to serve the people of Delaware,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “This exhibition reminds us that the arts are woven into the fabric of who we are and that the ingenuity that drives artistic expression also fuels our innovative work across state government.”

By providing state employees an outlet for creative expression, the exhibition highlights the significance of recognizing and nurturing talent in and out of the workplace. Studies have shown that engaging in the arts enhances problem-solving skills, boosts morale, and fosters an environment of innovation. “Art is an integral part of our daily lives. It inspires, connects, and enriches our communities, often in ways we may not even realize,” said Delaware Division of the Arts Director Jessica Ball. “This exhibition is a powerful reminder that the arts and creativity thrive within our state agencies, reflecting the diverse talents and passions of our employees.”

Visitors are invited to join Division and Arts Center/Gallery staff for a special, celebration event and awards ceremony on Sunday, March 9, from 12-4 p.m. Gallery visitors will be able to view the exhibition, congratulate the winners, and enjoy light refreshments, activities, and giveaways.

 

Exhibition Hours:

Monday: Closed to the public

Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Thursday-Friday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturdays, March 1 and March 8: 12 – 4 p.m.

Sunday, March 9: 12 – 4 p.m.

Full visitor information can be found here.

 

Sponsored by the National Arts Program in support and cooperation with the State of Delaware and the Delaware Division of the Arts, the exhibit is judged by professional artists and visual art professionals. The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition is designed to give artists at all skill levels a unique opportunity to exhibit their creative work and to compete for cash prizes.

Participants must be a current employee, or immediate family member of a current employee of the State of Delaware. All entries must be the original work of the applicant and completed within the last three years.

 

Virtual Gallery:

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Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications

302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

About the National Arts Program

At the National Arts Program, we empower organizations across the country to host art exhibitions that showcase the creativity of their employees and families. By fostering a strong and inclusive community that builds confidence, encourages risk-taking, and values self-expression, we grow and strengthen workplaces and communities. We ensure that creativity is recognized and validated, sometimes for the first time, with prizes, scholarships, and awards programs. Learn more at https://nationalartsprogram.org/.

WILMINGTON, Del. – The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families is excited to announce that Peggy Griffith, Administrative Librarian of Ferris School, has been selected for the prestigious national I Love My Librarian Award by the American Library Association. She will be honored on Friday, January 24th, at a ceremony during ALA’s LibLearnX conference in Phoenix.

The I Love My Librarian Award celebrates librarians who have made a meaningful impact in their communities through exceptional service. Peggy is being recognized for her outstanding dedication and commitment to fostering a love of learning and for her outstanding contributions, which include cataloging library materials, updating resources, repurposing old furniture to create a more inviting library space, and developing a library curriculum for Ferris School.

“We are fortunate to have Peggy on our team,” said Steve Yeatman, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. “Her commitment to ensuring youth have access to books benefits the youth we serve and highlights the important role librarians have in shaping futures.”

Peggy is one of only ten librarians honored this year out of nearly 1,300 nominations. Delaware is proud to have two librarians recognized this year, as Jamar Rahming, Executive Director of the Wilmington Institute Free Library, has also been named a 2025 recipient.

To learn more about Peggy’s work, please visit her profile at Peggy Griffith – I Love Libraries.

The I Love My Librarian Award ceremony will be held on Friday, January 24th, at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be livestreamed: 2025 I Love My Librarian Award Ceremony – YouTube.

Photo: Peggy Griffith

About the I Love My Librarian Award
The I Love My Librarian Award is generously sponsored by the philanthropic foundation Carnegie Corporation of New York, with additional support from the New York Public Library. The award is administered by the American Library Association, the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities. For more information, visit https://ilovelibraries.org/love-my-librarian/

About DSCYF
The Delaware Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance use disorders, and/or have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. It has four divisions: Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services, Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, Division of Family Services and Division of Management Support Services. For more information, please visit www.kids.delaware.gov.