Governor Signs Bill to Strengthen, Modernize Mental Health Laws

New Castle, DE – Building on progress made under a five-year U.S. Department of Justice settlement agreement to reform Delaware’s public mental health care system, Governor Markell today signed legislation to modernize the civil commitment procedures, decrease the number of involuntary admissions and commitments, and ensure better civil rights protections and due process at all stages for individuals with a mental illness.HB346

House Bill 346 reflects hundreds of hours of work by members of the House Joint Resolution 17 Mental Health Law Study Group, chaired by Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Rita Landgraf. The study group’s unanimous recommendations combined Chapters 50 and 51 of the Delaware Code, and updated language and definitions to modernize and improve Delaware’s civil mental health laws and treatment of individuals with a serious mental illness.

“This bill represents our commitment to modernize the state’s civil mental health laws, many of which had not been updated since the 1950s,” said Governor Markell. “By shifting the responsibility of evaluating a mental illness crisis away from law enforcement and toward credentialed mental health screeners, we will help more Delawareans receive the treatment they need while remaining in their communities.”

With more than 350 mental health screeners in the state, this legislation will ensure screeners can be sent to evaluate individuals wherever they are and initiate the emergency detention process, if warranted. This will, in turn, reduce the number of involuntary admissions and commitments for mental health treatment.

“The majority of people in a mental health crisis don’t need to be handcuffed and placed in the back of police squad car,” said Rep. Mike Barbieri, D-Newark, the bill’s prime sponsor. “This bill brings mental health screeners to the scene of any incident to offer an immediate evaluation of a person’s mental health status. From there, if they do need care, we hope that can be done on a voluntary basis.”

In addition, the changes will provide a consistent process so people enter civil mental in a consistent manner, with due process protections.

“People with mental illness should get the best care and treatment we can offer,” said Sen. Bethany Hall-Long, D-Middletown, who sponsored the bill in the Senate. “This bill moves the ongoing mental health reform in our state forward by modernizing and improving treatment procedures. Our expectation is that these changes will reduce the barriers and stigma for people who seek treatment for a mental illness.”

HB 346 also extends due process protections for youth, with emergency detentions done only by psychiatrists and mental health screeners for juveniles. The bill also provides for increased access to treatment for minors and rules for discharge and involuntary treatment were updated to reflect the principles developed for the adult system, but modified to reflect the special needs of children.HB346

“For more than a year, stakeholders from across the mental health system came together to work on the recommendations that would become HB 346,” Secretary Landgraf said. “I am grateful to the members of the Study Group for their commitment to the people of Delaware, and for the broad consensus that we reached, which meant that our recommendations were unanimous. This is an important day in Delaware for the civil rights of all individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.”

Photos from the event


Delaware Division of the Arts Invites Community Input

The Delaware Division of the Arts is working with Maren Brown Associates to develop a new strategic plan for FY2016-FY2020 that identifies and incorporates the ideas, issues, and initiatives of Delaware’s arts community: artists, organizations, audiences, and educators.

The public input process will include:

Two surveys:
• Survey One is designed for Delaware-based individual artists.

• Survey Two is designed for representatives of Delaware organizations and schools that provide arts programming.

Notice of the electronic surveys with corresponding links, will be sent by email on or around October 20, 2014, and will also be posted on www.artsdel.org at the same time. The surveys will remain open until noon on Monday, November 10, 2014.

Three community meetings:

To be held across the state this fall, during which all Delaware constituents will have an opportunity to provide input. All interested Delawareans are invited to attend a meeting and have their thoughts and opinions heard. No RSVP is required.

Monday, October 27, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m., Milton
Milton Theatre (hosted by Premier Center for the Arts)
110 Union Street, Milton, DE 19968

Tuesday, October 28, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., Dover
Delaware State University (hosted by VSA Delaware)
Parlor A (2nd floor) of the MLK Student Center, 1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover 19901

Tuesday, October 28, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m., Wilmington
OperaDelaware Studios (hosted by Delaware Arts Alliance)
4 S. Poplar Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Six focus groups (by invitation only):

To gather feedback from key stakeholders. Focus groups are comprised of:
• Individual Artists
• Arts Organizations – Large
• Arts Organizations – Small/Medium
• K-12 Education
• Lifelong Learning
• Community-based organizations that offer arts programming

Thirty in-depth one-on-one telephone interviews with individuals including national and state leaders whose work exemplifies areas of interest to the Division of the Arts, reveals important trends that can shape the Division’s future work, or offers visionary ideas that provide inspiration for the plan.

In February 2015, a draft of the new Design Delaware 2.0 Strategic Plan for FY2016-FY2020 will be released for public input, and in March 2015, the final plan will be formally approved by the Delaware State Arts Council and published.


“William Penn Day” at Delaware’s New Castle Court House Museum on Oct. 25, 2014

(DOVER, Del.—Oct. 13, 2014)—On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, history will be vividly brought to life in New Castle, Del., during “William Penn Day,” a day-long series of activities commemorating the 332nd anniversary of Penn’s Oct. 27, 1682 disembarkment at New Castle, his first landing in the New World. Unless otherwise indicated, all programs are free and will take place at the New Castle Court House Museum, located at 211 Delaware St. in New Castle, Del. For additional information, call 302-323-4453.

“William Penn Day” will feature the following activities:

  • Livery of Seizen ceremony. Historical interpreters Bob Vander Decker, David Price and New Castle resident Jim Whisman re-enact the ceremony in which the town of New Castle, and a 12-mile circle of land surrounding it, were conveyed to William Penn by appointed representatives of the Duke of York. Penn will then present his plans for his new three “Lower Counties.” 10:15 a.m.
  • “The Trial of William Penn.” Historical play about the 1670 trial of William Penn who was accused of unlawful assembly and inciting a mob by preaching to a group of Quakers on a London street. Issues of religious freedom and the rights of a jury are explored in this 30-minute performance. Audience members may participate in the trial as witnesses and as members of the jury. 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
  • Performance by De Blokfluiters. Recorder/flute ensemble performing 18th-century music. 1 p.m.
  • “High Tea With Mrs. Penn.” Life with William Penn will be discussed by his wife as guests enjoy a traditional English high tea in the very house where Penn was reputed to have spent his first night in America in 1682. Penn’s Place, 206 Delaware St., New Castle. 3:30 p.m. Admission $10. Advance reservations required by calling 302-322-6334.
  • Concert of Baroque harpsichord music. Performed by Gary Harney of the Immanuel Bach Consort. 6:30 p.m.

One of the oldest and most historic courthouses in the United States, the New Castle Court House (main section built in 1732) served as Delaware’s first court and state capitol. Here in 1776, New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties declared their independence from Pennsylvania and England creating the Delaware State. The museum features tours and exhibits that illustrate Delaware’s unique boundaries, law and government and the Underground Railroad.

-End-

Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone:  302-736-7413
E-mail:  Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web:   http://history.delaware.gov


Governor Markell Reminds All Delawareans to Get a Flu Vaccination

New Castle, DE – Governor Jack Markell and Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Rita Landgraf received their annual flu shots today at a public flu clinic held at the New Castle Farmers Market by the Division of Public Health (DPH). Governor Markell asked all Delawareans to get a flu shot to best protect against illness during the 2014-2015 flu season. Flu shots

 

“We have the tools to protect our families, co-workers, and communities from this illness,” Governor Markell said.  “It’s important that Delawareans know about the many opportunities like today’s flu clinic where vaccinations are readily available.  We can limit the spread of the flu this season if more people get their shots and get them early.”

 

DPH continues to work to increase the number of people vaccinated, and for Delawareans to get vaccinated early in the flu season. During Delaware’s 2013-2014 flu season, there were 1,842 confirmed cases of influenza with six flu-related deaths. The largest portion of flu cases, 33 percent, were reported in the 25-49 age group. Of the 428 hospitalizations due to the flu and flu-associated causes like pneumonia, the largest portion, 27 percent, were in the 50-64 age group. 

 

“Since some flu seasons are severe, every Delawarean should prepare now by getting an annual flu vaccination,” Secretary Landgraf said.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an annual average of 23,600 deaths in the United States due to influenza and flu-associated causes such as pneumonia.  

 

“We want Delawareans to be protected before the flu season begins so they don’t miss work, school or other activities due to flu illness, and to protect others, especially those who are the most vulnerable to severe consequences including seniors, those with underlying medical conditions, pregnant women and young children,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH Director. “It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu.”

 

DPH follows the CDC’s recommendation that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu shot. Seasonal flu activity commonly peaks in the United States between December and February. 

 

DPH’s “Get It” outreach campaign reminds Delawareans, especially healthy 19-49 year olds – to get their annual flu shot. This age group is less likely to get a flu vaccination and, as caregivers, has an increased potential to transmit the disease. Influenza affects everyone, particularly children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions. Flu shots

 

DHSS asks Delawareans to first seek flu vaccine from their health provider. DPH flu clinics are available for those who do not have a doctor, who cannot pay for the vaccine because they are uninsured, or who do not have insurance that covers the vaccine. Flu vaccinations are also available through most area pharmacies, grocery stores, and college health centers.

 

DPH’s flu clinic schedule is posted here. Though the vaccinations are free, donations and Medicaid are accepted. DPH clinics offer the intramuscular flu vaccine for ages 9 years and above. Children ages 6 months to 8 years who receive the flu vaccine for the first time need two doses, with the second dose given at least 28 days after the first dose.

 

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

 

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.


Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Ensuring Students Start School Ready for Success

As we work to grow the economy and build on the thousands of new jobs created this year, we also have a responsibility to ensure Delaware keeps getting stronger for generations to come. One of the keys to success will be the early education opportunities our children receive.

Research has shown that when they arrive in kindergarten ready to learn, kids are much more likely to thrive in school and even in their future careers. It’s why we have made it a priority to increase access to high quality early learning and offer more support to early childhood centers. That initial investment was important.

Last year the number of low-income children attending a high quality program increased by 50 percent. Now we must sustain our momentum. Soon we will understand better than ever before how our children are developing during their pre-school years. That’s a result of a statewide survey of students’ abilities when they enter kindergarten. Michelle Wilson at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Dover, along with 80 percent of Delaware kindergarten teachers, are taking note of how students interact with their peers, whether they follow directions, and if they speak clearly, among other signs of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Next year, 100 percent of kindergarten classes will participate. The results will help early childhood centers recognize the areas in which kids need more support to be ready for school. And the state will make the most effective use of our resources.

When we ensure kids have a great start to their education, we give them the best chance to reach their potential and contribute their talents in our communities. And for many years to come, that will keep Delaware moving forward.