Governor Carney Celebrates Senator Margaret Rose Henry Alongside Office of Women’s Advocacy and Advancement

Policymakers, Public Join Together for Women’s History Month Celebration and Lecture

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney, Delaware’s Office for Women’s Advocacy and Advancement, the Delaware Department of Human Resources, the Delaware Commission for Women, and Delaware Women’s Workforce Council, today hosted the first lecture of its kind titled “Redefining Women in the Workplace” in honor of Senator Margaret Rose Henry and Women’s History Month.

“Senator Margaret Rose Henry is a trailblazer, and we are going to miss her leadership in Dover,” said Governor Carney. “Her commitment to the advancement of women is exactly why we are honoring her at this event today. It’s been a privilege to work with her protecting Delaware’s most vulnerable citizens.”

The Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy, under Delaware’s Department of Human Resources, is responsible for leading the ongoing implementation of women’s rights legislation and evaluating current women’s rights legislation. The Office is run by Melanie Ross Levin, who serves as the Office’s Director.

“Delaware made history when Senator Margaret Rose Henry became the first African American woman to join the Delaware State Senate. And Delaware continues to make history today, by investing in the first state-wide Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy,” said Melanie Ross Levin. “As a new office, we look forward to continuing to work with Senator Margaret Rose Henry and all of the champions for women and girls in the legislature, executive branch and community to move policies forward for women and girls in the first state.”

This lecture focused on issues including sexual harassment in the workplace, equal pay and paid parental leave, bringing together policymakers, business leaders and others concerned with women’s issues for a productive conversation. The lecturer was Lisa Maatz, Former Vice President of Government Relations at the American Association of University Women and leader of several national coalitions working to advance opportunities for women and girls.

“The theme of this event is so relevant to the work of the Department of Human Resources,” said Saundra Ross Johnson, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources. “We are committed to creating and sustaining an equitable environment for all State employees that is free from discrimination, sexual harassment, and assault.”

Shortly following the lecture, the Governor joined Representative Longhurst, Senator Hansen, Senator Henry, U.S. Senator Coons, Congresswoman Blunt Rochester and many members of the General Assembly for a rally supporting Delaware’s Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). House Bill 399 aims at filing an ERA for the Delaware Constitution to expand and protect women’s rights. This amendment will reduce sex-based disparity and codify Delaware’s value of equality.

More information about the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy can be found here.


Governor Carney’s Statement on House Passage of Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act

Governor Carney’s Statement on House Passage of Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney issued the following statement on Tuesday’s vote in the Delaware House of Representatives to approve the Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act.

“Thank you to members of the Delaware House of Representatives for their bipartisan vote to approve this important piece of legislation. The Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act would responsibly restrict access to firearms for those who are considered a danger to themselves or others – while protecting the due process rights of all Delawareans. The bill also takes steps to ensure that Delaware health professionals and law enforcement are working more closely together on the issue of gun safety. We remain committed to working with members of the General Assembly, in both parties, to directly confront the issue of gun violence in a comprehensive way. As I have said, we need a national approach to gun safety. But we cannot wait to do what’s right in Delaware. We must take steps that will make our state safer. This vote today represents important progress. Thank you to members of the House for their vote, and I look forward to the Delaware Senate considering this legislation.”

Learn more about Governor Carney’s call for comprehensive gun safety reform.

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Registration Open for Annual Volunteer Delaware Conference on April 30 in Dover

NEW CASTLE (March 27, 2018) – The annual Volunteer Delaware Conference, the state’s leading conference for organizations and individuals making a difference in their communities through volunteerism, is set for April 30 in Dover.

Presented by the Delaware State Office of Volunteerism (SOV) and the Delaware Association of Volunteer Administrators (DAVA), the conference will feature an arra

y of interactive instructional workshops and networking opportunities. This year’s conference, to be held at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, is expected to attract more than 150 attendees from across the state.

“I look forward to seeing the ideas and energy that will come out of this year’s Volunteer Delaware Conference,” said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services. “Delaware is sure to benefit from having so many volunteers joining together to network and learn.”

The pre-conference registration cost is $75 for DAVA members and $90 for those who are not yet members. Day of conference registration is $125. Registration includes breakfast, lunch and instructional sessions.

Patti Grimes, executive director of both The Freeman Stage and the Carl M. Freeman Foundation in Selbyville, will give the keynote address entitled “Leading a Highly Committed Service Culture.” In addition to her work leading The Freeman Stage and the grant management and capacity-building programs for the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, Grimes is active in the community volunteering for the Adopt-A-Family and Adopt-A-School programs, as well as other service organizations.

Writer and nonprofit executive Barry Altland will give the closing presentation, “That One Thing; Gaining Return out of Your Learning and Connection Investment.” Altland wrote the book, “Engaging the Head, Heart and Hands of a Volunteer.”

Topics for the morning and afternoon breakout sessions include:

  • Do good better with Volunteer Delaware & HandsOn Connect – https://volunteer.delaware.gov Training.
  • Engaging and sustaining volunteer passion.
  • Creating a voluntary advisory committee.
  • Social media marketing for business.
  • Corporate volunteering.
  • How to plan a one-day service event.

To learn more, visit https://volunteer.delaware.gov. Registration is available online at https://2018volunteerdelawareconference.eventbrite.com

For more information, contact April Willey at 302-857-5006 or by emailing dhss_VolunteerDelaware@delaware.gov

The Delaware Conference on Volunteerism is sponsored by Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, the Division of State Service Centers, the State Office of Volunteerism, as well as the Delaware Association of Volunteer Administrators.

 

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The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of life of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency and protecting vulnerable populations.


Governor Carney, Secretary Bunting Announce Establishment of Teachers Advisory Council

Council will gather feedback from educators statewide, increase the voice of teachers in policy decisions

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney and Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education, announced on Tuesday the establishment of a new Teachers Advisory Council to gather the feedback of educators from across the state.

Secretary Bunting invited two teachers from each of the state’s 19 school districts and six charter school educators to join the group, which will facilitate communication, contribute to solutions, and help increase the voice of teachers in policy decisions. The group will meet bi-monthly to discuss a variety of issues affecting teachers.

“Educators work on the front lines helping prepare Delaware’s children for the future,” said Governor Carney. “We are committed to transforming the Department into a true support agency to help schools and educators better serve their students. This new advisory council will help ensure that we are listening to educators every step of the way as we make policy decisions that affect the classroom. Thank you to the educators who are participating, and Dr. Bunting and our team at the Department of Education for convening this group.”

“This is an opportunity for me to hear directly from those who work closest with our children and often feel the most direct effects of our policy decisions,” said Secretary Bunting.

Teachers participating on the new advisory council were recommended by their superintendents or the Delaware Charter School Network for the voluntary role. Secretary Bunting has asked each to share his or her personal feelings as an individual rather than serve as a representative of a district or charter school’s position on an issue.

This group is in addition to the Teacher of the Year Advisory Council, which Secretary Bunting also meets with bi-monthly.

 

Educators participating in the new advisory council include:
  • Kristyn Bradford of Lake Forest North Elementary in Lake Forest School District
  • Seth Buford of Milford High School in Milford School District
    Shorel Clark of Brittingham Elementary School in Cape Henlopen School District
  • Marisa Clarke of Central Elementary in Seaford School District
  • Guy Cooper of Providence Creek Academy charter school
  • Luke Crossan of Waters Middle School in Appoquinimink School District
  • Todd Cushman of Delmar Middle School in Delmar School District
  • Chelsea Darczuk of East Side Charter School
  • Robert Edmondson of Seaford Middle School in Seaford School District
  • Catherine (Katy) Evans of Sunnyside Elementary School in the Smyrna School District
  • Christina Gallo of Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest School District
  • Shelby Gordon of Bunker Hill Elementary School in Appoquinimink School District
  • Emily Green of Caesar Rodney High School in Caesar Rodney School District
  • Robert Harrod of Cape Henlopen High School in Cape Henlopen School District
  • Matt Hoopes of Concord High School in Brandywine School District
  • Shelley Hovanec of Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center in Woodbridge School District
  • Michelle Howard of Delmar High School in Delmar School District
  • Lesley Louder of Dover High School in Capital School District
  • Tina Lykens of POLYTECH High School in POLYTECH School District
  • Jennifer MacDonald of Smyrna High School in Smyrna School District
  • Nathalie Melvin of South Dover Elementary School in Capital School District
  • Phyllis Mobley of Harlan Elementary School in Brandywine School District
  • Elaine Norris of Mispillion Elementary School in Milford School District
  • Petra Palmer of Delcastle High School in New Castle County Vo-Tech School District
  • Michael Paoli of Hodgson High School in New Castle County Vo-Tech School District
  • Sarah Polaski of Christiana Middle School Academy in Christina School District
  • Moraima Reardon of Woodbridge High School in Woodbridge School District
  • Lisa Richardson of Millsboro Middle School in Indian River School District
  • Matthew Sabol of William Penn High School in Colonial School District
  • Dara Savage of Early College High School charter school
  • Cameron Sweeney of POLYTECH High School in POLYTECH School District
  • Crystal Thawley of Sussex Technical High School in Sussex Technical School District
  • Elizabeth Van Aulen of Wilson Elementary School in Christina School District
  • Anthony Varrato of Sussex Technical High School of Sussex Technical School District
  • Kim Weber of Welch Elementary in Caesar Rodney School District
  • Leigh Weldin of Conrad School of Sciences in Red Clay Consolidated School District
  • Karen Willey of Sussex Academy charter school
  • Jill Young of Lord Baltimore Elementary in Indian River School District
  • Stacie Zdrojewski of Red Clay Consolidated School District Office

The Teacher Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, March 27th from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Collette Education Resource Center Conference Room, 35 Commerce Way, Suite 1, Dover.

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Governor Carney, Senator Townsend, Representative Longhurst Announce Assault Weapons Legislation

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney, Senator Bryan Townsend, and House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst on Thursday announced legislation to ban the sale, purchase, transfer, and certain possession of assault-style weapons in Delaware. The legislation will be introduced by Senator Townsend in the Delaware Senate on Thursday. Representative Longhurst is the legislation’s prime sponsor in the Delaware House of Representatives.

The legislation would prohibit the sale and transfer of specific firearms in Delaware, which are listed in the legislation, as well as copycat weapons that meet certain criteria. It also would prohibit the transportation of assault-style weapons across state lines into Delaware, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would not ban possession of any weapons purchased legally before the legislation’s effective date. It would impose certain restrictions on where lawfully owned assault weapons may be possessed and transported. The legislation would allow possession in a lawful owner’s home, their place of business, a shooting range, and during an exhibition, display, or educational exhibit.

Licensed firearms dealers and manufacturers would be permitted to sell or transfer any assault-style weapons in their inventory as of the effective date of the legislation to a licensed firearm dealer in another state or to an individual purchaser in another state through a licensed firearms dealer. Among other individuals and entities, the bill includes exceptions for law enforcement officers, military personnel, and certain testing and repair facilities.

Governor Carney, Senator Townsend, and Representative Longhurst issued the following statements:

“As we have seen in Parkland, Las Vegas and in many other horrific tragedies across our country, military-style weapons can be used to carry out catastrophic acts of violence. These weapons allow those intent on doing harm to outgun members of law enforcement, and they have no place on the streets of our neighborhoods,” said Governor John Carney. “It’s true that we need a national approach to confront the threat of gun violence. I believe President Trump and Congressional leaders should take action. But we cannot wait to do what’s right in Delaware. This is important legislation that will make our state safer – and I urge members of the General Assembly in both parties to act quickly and send this bill to my desk as soon as possible. Thank you to Senator Townsend and Representative Longhurst for their partnership, and their leadership, on this issue.”

“The status quo on gun violence isn’t working. Delaware has made important progress in recent years, but we can — and must — do more,” said Senator Bryan Townsend. “Military-style assault weapons are not protected by the Second Amendment. They have limited or no practical use for hunting or home defense, yet they are the weapon of choice in mass shootings and pose additional risk to law enforcement. It’s irresponsible to make them available to the general public on-demand. We owe it to our students, our families, and our law enforcement to keep weapons of war where they belong: on the battlefield, not on store shelves.”

“We have an obligation to always look for ways to make our communities safer. Having fewer assault-style weapons on our streets is one way we can accomplish that goal,” said House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst. “The rallying cry across the country is being repeated over and over – enough is enough, and more than half of gun owners agree that we need to step up and address these firearms. These firearms are massively deadly weapons and should not be sold any longer.”

Visit de.gov/gunsafety to learn more about Governor Carney’s call for comprehensive gun safety reforms.

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