Entrepreneurs built our state, and our nation. People of courage and convictions, who were willing to start something new because they knew they could build something better.For centuries, our economy has been a global power because of the innovation, ingenuity and resilience of the entrepreneurs who were born here, or came here to start their business.

As we continue our work to put the Great Recession firmly behind us, we need inspired entrepreneurs now more than ever. Recently, those on the cutting edge of digital media and commerce converged  for PodCamp East at Delaware Tech, where attendees saw how technology has lowered the costs of launching a business and reaching new audiences.

At an EMPACT Summit a few days before, entrepreneurs learned how to leverage emergent ideas like crowdfunding – which some Delaware companies are now doing – and co-working, which places like Delaware’s COINLoft now offer. Entrepreneurs like Kay Koplovitz who built the USA Network and the Syfy Channel to Catherine Cook, who launched “My Yearbook” with her brother when she was 15 and  sold it for 100-million dollars six years later, now part of MeetMe.com.  These are awesome stories .

I’m delivering this message today just outside another inspiring event – a partnership of the local Small Business Association, our local AARP and Delaware community and business leaders. Much of the energy around entrepreneurship is on companies with lab coats or laptops – businesses that focus on writing computer code or researching genetic code. Most entrepreneurs – are in the business of providing goods and services, leveraging their personal experience to improve upon the customer experience. More great small businesses are being launched by people with decades of great work and experience to build on; people who’ve decided it’s time in life to be their own boss and are choosing to make their next career a start-up success. We need to be there at any stage of an entrepreneurs life to help.  Groups like Podcamp, EMPACT and the SBA are making clear there are places to turn and friends to support entrepreneurs of any age as they work to build their business, grow their markets and grow jobs  – as we work together to keep Delaware, and our nation, moving forward.

DEleteBullying.Org is a user-friendly, Delaware-specific online resource

 Wilmington, DE – Coinciding with October as National Bullying Prevention month, Governor Markell helped to officially launch DEleteBullying.org, a new online resource to highlight and support bullying prevention efforts in the First State. Created and funded by the Delaware Bar Foundation, this website provides information and helpful resources for children, parents and educators regarding how to address and prevent instances of bullying.

“Bullying is a significant and serious problem for far too many of our students,” said Governor Markell. “An online resource will give young people and adults the knowledge and tools they need to cope with situations that occur and help prevent bullying from taking place to begin with.”

In response to several incidents of suicide caused by bullying, a consortium was convened in 2010 by Family Court Chief Judge Chandlee Johnson Kuhn. It has since been led by Rep. Melanie George Smith. In their efforts to identify what was being done in Delaware to address bullying prevention, the group realized many organizations were doing excellent work, but resources were spread out and difficult for families to navigate. It was then that the idea of creating a statewide website focused on Delaware’s bullying prevention efforts was formed.

“The Delaware Bar Foundation has a broad mission to improve the administration of justice in Delaware, which includes educating the public about the rule of law,” said Jacqueline Paradee Mette of the Delaware Bar Foundation, who was part of the initial consortium. “Delaware has bullying statutes, so creating a website that pulls together all of these resources into one convenient, easy-to-use website that is user-friendly and Delaware focused fit within the Foundation’s mission.”

The website complements two bills signed into law earlier this year. A direct result of work done by the Lt. Governor and the Attorney General in cooperation with the strong sponsorship of House and Senate Education Chairs Sen. David Sokola and Rep. Terry Schooley, the laws focus on implementing Delaware’s first uniform policy to combat cyberbullying in public schools, as well as protecting students against bullying by requiring consistency in how bullying incidents are reported.

“As I have visited middle schools and high schools over the past two school years, cyberbullying has consistently been raised with me by principals and teachers as a real problem that stops them from focusing on educating kids,” Lt. Governor Denn said. 

“We know how devastating bullying can be, not only to a child who is targeted but to their families, communities and schools.  That’s why I am proud to be a part of the collaboration that has produced this website,” said Attorney General Beau Biden. “Along with Delaware’s enhanced bullying reporting requirements and cyberbullying policy, the site provides information and tools  that will help both kids and adults effect real change. Working together, we can make sure our schools and communities are safe environments where bullying is never tolerated and children can thrive.”

Users who visit the site will find pages specifically targeted to teens, parents and educators. For parents, the website discusses, among other things, how bullying is defined in Delaware, signs of bullying, how to know if your child is a target of bullying, and how to report it, both to school authorities and the Attorney General’s bullying reporting hotline. For teens, the website addresses what bullying looks and feels like and how teens might handle it. It reminds teens they are not alone, and that with the help of their peers and trusted adults, they can put an end to bullying. It includes helpful information specifically for our LGBTQ youth, and a number of resources, both state and national, on peer relationship building and other helpful resources. For educators, the website includes several classroom lesson plans and worksheets, created by Cape Henlopen High School and others. These resources are easily downloaded and printable for educators to use in their schools.

In addition, the homepage of the website shows a video produced by The Morris Project and featuring students from Howard High School of Technology. The film depicts what some incidents of bullying can look like, how it feels to be the target of bullying and how teens can respond to it. Howard High School has been named Delaware’s first bully-free school, with 100% of its students signing a no bully pledge for the past two years.

In addition to the funding provided by the Delaware Bar Foundation, several other individuals, organizations and agencies were a part of its development, including: Dr. Julie Hubbard, an expert on bullying and the Director of the Clinical Science Doctoral Program in the Department of Psychology at the University of Delaware; Bob Martz, of the United Way; Jan Dalle Pazze and the Delaware Bullying Prevention Association; and the Delaware Departments of Justice, Education and Services for Children, Youth and Their Families.

Photos from today’s event can be found in this Flickr album.

Dover event to feature “Last Child in the Woods” author Richard Louv and presentation of a plan to get Delaware’s children outside

DOVER (Oct. 1, 2012) – A new report that provides recommendations to connect Delaware’s children with the outdoors will be released this evening at a kickoff event featuring national author Richard Louv, who penned “Last Child in the Woods,” which has stimulated an international conversation about the relationship between children and nature.

“In its public support of connecting children to nature, Delaware is setting an example for much of the country and the world,” said Louv. “New recommendations from Delaware’s Children in Nature/No Child Left Inside Task Force will encourage all of us to take the next steps. All children need nature. Not only the only the ones whose parents love the natural world. All children.”

The event will take place tonight at 7 p.m. at Delaware Technical Community College, Terry Campus, (100 Campus Drive, Dover, DE 19904) Education and Technology Building, Room 727 A-D Conference Center.

The report, prepared under the leadership of Governor Jack Markell by the Children in Nature/No Child Left Inside Task Force, identifies the national trends contributing to growing childhood obesity, including lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, and limited outdoor experiences, all of which adversely impacts the health of children and academic achievement. Evidence now shows that children ages eight to 18 average 6.5 hours per day with electronic media and just minutes a day engaged in unstructured outdoor activities.

“We share a desire to change the lives of children,” said Governor Jack Markell. “They need outdoor activity and nature in their lives. Experiencing nature nurtures a child’s growth. This collaboration provides a plan that can influence our children’s long term well-being. The Task Force report provides this path forward so Delaware can become a leader in environmental education – and its children, active stewards of our lands.”

At the event, Louv will be joined by members of the Task Force representing a vast range of expertise on the issue, including DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara, and representatives from the Delaware Department of Education, Nemours Health and Prevention Services, the Delaware Nature Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Center for Inland Bays, the Department of Health and Social Services/Division of Public Health, Delaware Greenways and the Delaware Association for Environmental Education.

“This comprehensive report is an important step towards reconnecting more of Delaware’s children with nature and reducing childhood obesity,” said DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara. “At school, at home, in parks and backyards, we want all children to have the opportunity grow up healthy and strong, enjoy remarkable outdoor experiences, and learn about the importance of clean air, clean water, and Delaware’s native plants, fisheries, and wildlife.”

“We have a great opportunity to focus on environmental education throughout the state,” Secretary of Education Mark Murphy said. “In addition to an emphasis on environmental literacy, the [national] No Child Left Inside legislation includes healthy living programs, funding for curriculum changes and field trips to environmental areas of interest for children to learn hands-on.”

The Children in Nature/No Child Left Inside Task Force was established by Senate Concurrent Resolution 20, approved by the 146^th General Assembly. At the direction of Governor Markell, Secretary O’Mara and former Secretary Lillian Lowery of the Delaware Department of Education charged the Task Force to be proactive in addressing the opportunities afforded by the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the current status of “nature-deficit disorder” facing the children of Delaware.

“A coalition of more than 140 partners across the state has created this report,” said Delaware First Lady Carla Markell, honorary co-chair of the initiative’s Ambassador task force. “Its recommendations outline a solid path forward to ensure our children, families and communities connect with nature. The professionalism, care and passion that went into preparing this report represent a leap forward in the continuing efforts toward making Delaware a happy, healthy and environmentally-literate community.”

The mission of the Task Force was to formulate a plan to create opportunity for all Delaware children to participate in outdoor experiences, to improve environmental literacy, promote healthy lifestyles, and provide better access to green space through formal and informal outdoor experiences.

The Task Force has researched and developed the report’s recommendations and actions in education, access, community, health, plan implementation, marketing and policy and legislative support.

Some of the report’s recommendations include: promoting meaningful outdoor and overnight experiences, establishing Greener Schools for Delaware programs, developing schoolyard natural areas to strengthen education in grades Pre-K through 12, incorporating natural spaces into the built environment, providing access for multi-generational use to increase physical activity for all ages, improving accessibility to existing areas, increasing access to recreational facilities through community partnerships, developing training to increase communities’ understanding of the initiative and increase environmental literacy statewide, using nature-based activities (unstructured outdoor play, hiking in a safe area, spending time in a green space) and resources as a health strategy, and providing outreach and professional development in fields of health care and prevention services.

Richard Louv is a journalist and the author of eight books about the connections between community, family and nature.  He received the 2009 Audubon Medal, which has previously been awarded to Rachel Carson, E.O. Wilson and President Jimmy Carter.  Louv is the chairman of the Children and Nature Network and honorary co-chair of the National Forum on Children and Nature. He has keynoted the national conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the first White House Summit on Environmental Education. His articles have been published in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, among others. He has also appeared on The Early Show, Good Morning America, Today, CBS Evening News and many other national programs. His book, “Last Child in the Woods,” has been translated into 10 languages and published in 15 countries.

New Delaware-specific service lets users list and search housing in the First State for free

Dover, DE (September 28, 2012) – Governor Jack Markell, Delaware State Housing Authority, and their partners are pleased to announce the launch of a free housing locator website providing information about rental housing across the First State. DelawareHousingSearch.org – a web-based service supported by a toll-free, bilingual call center – lets landlords advertise properties free of charge, while renters can search for free to find rentals that fit their needs. The service was publicly announced today during a launch event led by Governor Markell and is funded through a partnership between DSHA, the Department of Health and Social Services, New Castle County, the City of Wilmington, Sussex County, the Delaware Apartment Association, and the United Way of Delaware.

 “Access to affordable housing is critical to our economy and to the strength of our communities,” said Governor Jack Markell. “We believe this service will help Delaware residents find the rental housing they need within their budget, within their time frame, and in the community where they want to live.”

DelawareHousingSearch.org offers a wide range of property listings, including private market and assisted housing. Prospective tenants can search for housing according to specific needs, such as proximity to medical facilities, public transit, and schools. An accessible housing search helps locate units with accommodations such as no-step entry and accessible kitchen and bathroom features. Listings can be sorted by rent amount, ZIP Code, date available, and other key factors to make searching even easier.

 DelawareHousingSearch.org offers landlords 24-hour access to adding and updating their free property listings. Listings can highlight amenities in great detail and include photos.

 “We’re excited about the ability of this service to connect our residents to housing opportunities,” commented DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi. “We encourage property providers to take advantage of the free advertising and list vacancies on DelawareHousingSearch.org to help make this service as useful as possible to all Delawareans.”

 “For people with disabilities, that are moving from institutions back to their communities, or remaining in their communities, the largest barrier has often been the lack of available, affordable, accessible housing,” said Daniese McMullen-Powell, Money Follows the Person Outreach and Housing Administrator. “DelawareHousingSearch.org, offers a means to search for available housing opportunities that best match individual affordability and needs.”

 DelawareHousingSearch.org is powered by Socialserve.com, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dedicated to serving the affordable housing needs of communities. Delaware joins an ever-growing network of regions using Socialserve.com that currently spans 32 states.

 Residents can search and list on www.DelawareHousingSearch.org online 24 hours a day or call a toll-free, bilingual call center for assistance: 1-877-428-8844, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

WILMINGTON –Surrounded by state officials and advocates, Governor Jack Markell proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Delaware.

 “This proclamation hopefully draws awareness to an issue that merits our attention year-round,” said Governor Jack Markell. “We must be vigilant and supportive every day of those around us to ensure they are safe and free from abuse.”  

 Delaware created the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council to improve the state’s response to domestic violence.  The council brings together domestic violence service providers and policy level officials to identify and implement improvements in system response through legislation, education and policies.

 “Domestic violence has impacts that ripple throughout society,” said Senate Majority Leader Patricia Blevins, D-Elsmere, who has been at the forefront of efforts to protect victims of domestic violence and is the chair of the DVCC. “While combating domestic violence is a year round job, this month gives us an opportunity to put a spotlight on it and to remind people, dealing with this threat to their safety and the safety of their families, that there are laws to protect them and help available to them so they can break the grip domestic violence has on their lives.

 Added Carol Post, the executive director of the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence: “Domestic Violence Awareness Month gives us the opportunity to highlight all the great work being done in Delaware by both government agencies and nonprofit organizations to protect victims of domestic violence and their children, hold abusive partners responsible for the violence and engage in prevention efforts aimed at ending the violence once and for all.”

 Attorney General Beau Biden, whose office has worked with Sen. Blevins and other legislators on several bills that increased protections for victims of domestic violence, noted that work of the DVCC and other groups have ‘shone a bright light’ on the problem of domestic violence.

 “Domestic Violence Awareness Month sends a clear message that this country does not tolerate violence against women,” Biden said. “Incidents of domestic violence have dropped more than 50 percent nationally since Congress first passed the Violence Against Women Act in 1994, but we still have a lot of work to do. Every day, three women are killed abusive husbands or partners. Congress should reauthorize VAWA as soon as possible so that the bright light keeps shining for the millions of women and families still in the darkness.”

 Last year the state’s Department of Correction created a Victim Services Unit to assist victims and survivors in becoming both informed and involved so that they may experience less frustration and trauma with prison and probation personnel and be better prepared to participate in the corrections process if they choose. The DOC’s Victim Services Unit phone number, which is staffed during regular business hours Monday through Friday, is (302) 857-5440.

 “Proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an opportunity to raise the issue of domestic violence to the forefront of discussion and provide much-needed support to victims of a crime that affects people regardless of their age, ethnicity or economic status,” said DOC Commissioner Carl Danberg, who is also the vice-chair of the DVCC. “The fact that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime is a staggering indicator of how widespread this crime is within our communities. May we use this month’s opportunity of increased awareness to educate and then start working toward ending this violence.”

 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotlines 
New Castle County 302.762-6110
Kent and Sussex Counties 302.422.8058
Bilingual Kent and Sussex 302.745-9874

Photos from this event are available on Flickr.