Dover, DE-The open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace ends on January 31, 2017. If you qualify for coverage through the Marketplace, tomorrow is the last day you will be able to sign up for a health insurance plan for 2017. In previous years there has been a surge in website traffic and phone calls to sign up in the final days of the open enrollment period, sometimes causing the federal government to issue extensions. No extensions are expected to be issued this year so consumers need to sign up now if they want to be covered. “Eight out of ten uninsured Delawareans who were eligible for a Marketplace plan qualified for some level of financial assistance to help offset the cost of monthly premiums,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro.

Ready to enroll? Consumers can find more details about the various plans and their related premiums and deductibles, as well as any potential premium subsidies they may be eligible for www.healthcare.gov. Federal application counselors are also available to help with enrollment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 1-800-318-2596. All of the plans sold on the federal marketplace meet the coverage standards and consumer protections mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“It is important for consumers to be cautious when shopping for health insurance coverage outside of the Marketplace, especially when looking for plans online,” said Commissioner Navarro. The Department of Insurance’s Consumer Services Division has received numerous complaints from members of the public who thought they had enrolled in an ACA-compliant plan only to learn that they had actually purchased a limited benefit plan. A limited benefit medical plan is not a comprehensive major medical plan, nor is it intended to replace a major medical plan.

After January 31, 2017, you cannot buy a health insurance plan for the rest of 2017 unless you have a qualifying life event—a change in your situation like having a baby, getting married, or losing other health coverage — which makes you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. Once you have enrolled in a plan, check your mail for information from your insurance company. When a welcome packet has arrived or is delivered to your email inbox, be sure to read the information thoroughly and save everything in a secure place.

It is also very important that you pay your premium on time. If you fail to pay your monthly premiums then your insurance company can eventually cancel your policy. If your policy is cancelled due to non-payment you will likely not qualify for any other coverage until January 1, 2018.

“When you are shopping for health insurance coverage it is important to consider more than just the cost of the monthly premium alone,” said Commissioner Navarro. “Before you enroll in a plan make sure you know how much the deductible will be since deductibles on different plans can vary by thousands of dollars. It is also important to see what the plan will require you to contribute for co-pays or co-insurance,” he said. Need help understanding the words and terms used by the health insurance industry? Visit https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/ for simple definitions.

Small businesses can apply for SHOP coverage for their employees any time, all year. Simply click on the Small Business tab at the top of Healthcare.gov to get started.

For more information about health insurance visit www.choosehealthde.com or www.healthcare.gov.

Additional resources are available at insurance.delaware.gov. Consumers in Delaware who have insurance related issues or complaints may also contact the Delaware Department of Insurance Consumer Services Division at 1-800-282-8611.

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Contact: Vince Ryan

Office: (302) 674-7303

Mobile: (302) 387-7670

Vince.Ryan@delaware.gov

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Delaware Department of Insurance

http://www.insurance.delaware.gov

Dover Office: 302-674-7300

Consumer Services Division: 1-800-282-8611

DOVER– The Division of Public Health (DPH) is pleased to welcome Dr. Nicholas Conte, as Dental Director for the DPH Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services (BOHDS).

Dr. Conte is a prosthodontist who most recently served as the Director of Clinical Research and Education for Dentsply Sirona.

He has prior experience in both private practice and as a faculty member at New Jersey Dental School (renamed the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine), where he taught both undergraduate and post-graduate prosthodontics.

Dr. Conte has lectured extensively both nationally and internationally, conducted clinical research trials, and worked on product development teams for impression materials, composites, adhesives, and cements.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Dr. Conte’s qualifications joining the DPH family,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “It is exciting to find a leader who has touched on so many different areas in his profession. His recognition of the value of oral health and how it impacts overall health will help lead the Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services into the future.”

“I am very excited and honored to be named the Dental Director and to be a part of the Division of Public Health,” Dr. Conte said. “I look forward to continuing the great work that has already been done, maintaining important partnerships previously established within the state, and fostering new relationships with external partners. I also look forward to working with the Delaware dental community to improve general awareness about the importance of oral health and the key role it plays in our overall wellness.”

DPH dental clinics serve the Medicaid and uninsured communities (age 20 and under) surrounding each of its five state service centers throughout Delaware. The BODS has made great strides in promoting oral health in the state, including:

• launching the First Smile Delaware website. The website serves as a communications anchor point, providing a place where people can access information on oral health literacy, providers’ resources, parent resources, and prenatal, infant and young children patient education cards.
• recruiting a pediatric dentist to practice in Sussex County in 2013, through a special loan repayment award funded by the Oral Health Workforce Development grant. Prior to this, Sussex County had not had a pediatric dentist and this was considered to be one of the most pressing needs to provide dental care for children.
• providing dental care for Medicaid-eligible children at DPH’s five state-wide clinics.  More detail on the school-linked program is below.  An Electronic Dental Record (EDR) was implemented in December 2012 that will contribute to greater efficiency and quality of care.

The Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services was awarded a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Oral Health Workforce Activities grant in the amount of $481,826 for each of the next three years. The grant will address:

• training dental professionals to improve access to dental care for people with disabilities.
• integration of oral health into primary care in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
• expansion of oral health outreach and disease prevention in schools and communities.

DPH has also implemented several oral health programs that are integrated within the school systems throughout the state.

• Seal-A-Smile Program – This program brings dental care to Delaware elementary schools through a state of the art mobile dental van. Children come onto the van for a quick exam by a volunteer dentist to determine which may qualify to have sealants placed.  A public health dental hygienist then places the sealants on these teeth along with a fluoride varnish. This program is primarily for children who have Medicaid. DPH is actively seeking additional dentists to volunteer and assist with the screening processes.
• Delaware Smile Check – This program aims to provide resources for children who are not receiving regular dental care.  A public health hygienist travels to the school and performs screenings using a portable dental chair and light in order to determine a child’s need for dental care. If the child has noticeable cavities or excess of plaque buildup, the hygienist will make a referral to a local dentist. The hygienist will also help coordinate treatment if he she sees an emergency situation, and follow up with to make sure he/she has been taken care of. The goal is to let parents/guardians know the oral health status of each child and provide them with the education and resources to get the best care possible. This program is available to all students regardless of their Medicaid status.
• School Linked Program – This is DPH’s largest and most successful program in which students with returned medical histories and permission slips are picked up during normal school hours, either before or after lunch, and transported to the nearest state service center to receive full comprehensive dental care.  This includes x-rays, cleanings, exams from the dentist, fillings, sealants, fluoride treatments and in some cases, extractions.  The program addresses barriers for parents/guardians who do not have a car/transportation or cannot afford to miss time from work to take their children to appointments.  Correspondence is relayed to parents/guardians after each check-up and before any follow up work is completed.  This program is available only for children who have Medicaid, however, no child with a dental need or emergency is refused treatment.

The Bureau also participates in community activities as often as possible such as Mission of Mercy, Stand Down, and Give Kids A Smile, while providing donations and coordinating educational outreach for various organizations.

For more information on BOHDS and the services it offers, call 302-744-4554 or visit http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsm/ohphome.html.

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, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

“[Un]Ravel” focuses exclusively on Meier’s new body of work created during his 2016 Individual Artist Fellowship in Photography from the Delaware Division of the Arts. Meier challenged himself to photograph the same subject – a ball of string – every day. The result is a series of striking photographs that explore string and its unraveling as metaphors for life and change. Meier writes:

[Un]Ravel is about when things come undone. It is about the loss of what was.
It is a shift in the state of things,
It is a movement from the way things were to something else,
It is about the uniqueness of chaos, and how it is never the same twice,
It is an inability to put things back the way they were,
It is about finding quiet, grace, and balance within the random mess.

The exhibition will be on view from Feb. 3-24, with an opening reception on Friday, Feb. 3, from 5-7 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

Learn more about Meier with our YouTube Meet the Artist video series.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/pM3vi8pDXZw

The Mezzanine Gallery is located in the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French St., Wilmington, DE 19801 and open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

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Updated: Feb. 1, 2017

(DOVER, Del.—Jan. 20, 2017)—During the month of February 2017, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be offering 16 special events at the museums of the State of Delaware. Eleven of these events will be presented in commemoration of African American History Month, an annual observance celebrating the invaluable contributions that the black community has made to the culture and history of the United States. All programs listed are free and open to the public.

Highlights of the month include “A World Apart,” a series of guided tours exploring the lives of African-Americans who lived in slavery and servitude at the home of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States and “Penman of the Revolution.” Tours will take place between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25 at the John Dickinson Plantation, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Road in Dover.

On Saturday, Feb. 18, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., the Johnson Victrola Museum, located at 375 S. New St. in Dover, will present Fats Waller: A Man of Many Talents,” guided tours focusing on the life and achievements of the noted jazz musician, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines and a short clip of the pianist in performance.

Finally, on Saturday, Feb. 18, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., the Johnson Victrola Museum, located at 375 S. New St. in Dover, will present Fats Waller: A Man of Many Talents,” guided tours focusing on the life and achievements of the noted jazz musician, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines and a short clip of the pianist in performance.

Administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the five museums of the State of Delaware—the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum—tell the story of the First State’s contributions to the history and culture of the United States. Through displays, exhibits and special programs, the museums explore how the state’s distinctive physical environment, in combination with the people who came to live there, gave Delaware an identity that is different from any other place. Go to the following for a long-term calendar of division-sponsored events.

Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs special events, February 2017

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017
“Marian Anderson: Her Achievements and Contributions.” African American History Month guided tours explore the life, achievements and political views of operatic contralto and Civil Rights activist Marian Anderson, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017
“The Old State House: A Network to Freedom.” African American History Month interpretive tours examine the story of Samuel D. Burris and his work on Underground Railroad, an event in the history of Delaware’s historic capitol that led to its designation as a Network to Freedom site by the National Park Service. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017
“A World Apart.” Guided tours explore the 18th-century African-American experience on the plantation. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017
“Listen Up! African American History.” Local youth, working with Delaware spoken-word artist Brock Kalim, perform their own spoken-word compositions that bring to light Delaware’s African-American history. Part of the “Listen Up!” series that features young people who utilize poetry, theater, dance and song to create compositions that celebrate different aspects of Delaware history. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Performance at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054. Program rescheduled to March 11, 2017.

Friday, Feb. 10, 2017
Concert by Me & My Friend Phyllis. Bluegrass/old-time music. Presented in partnership with the Delaware Friends of Folk and the First State Heritage Park. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 7:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017
“Songs of Love.” In celebration of Valentine’s Day, guided tours explore the variety of songs about love recorded by Victor Records. Tours will be accompanied by 78-rpm recordings of those songs played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017
“A World Apart.” Guided tours explore the 18th-century African-American experience on the plantation. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 1–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017
“African-American History: State Historic Preservation in Delaware.” Presentation explores Delaware’s rich African American culture, history and legacy. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017
“Fats Waller: A Man of Many Talents.” African American History Month guided tours focus on the life and achievements of the noted jazz musician, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines and a short clip of the pianist in performance. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017
“A World Apart.” Guided tours explore the 18th-century African-American experience on the plantation. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017
“Baseball, Churches, and Schools: Delaware’s African American History Through the Eyes of the National Register.” Presentation by Madeline Dunn, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ historian and National Register of Historic Places coordinator, on historic properties listed in the National Register since the 1980s that are significant to African American communities throughout the state. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017
“Buccaneers, Bluebloods and Bonapartes.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Kaitlyn Dykes. Part three of “Ship to Shore Saturdays,” a four-part series that chronicles local Lewes history. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Program at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Feb. 17, 2017.

Sunday Feb. 19, 2017
“Washington vs. Lincoln.” President’s Day theatrical presentation will pit Washington and Lincoln buffs against each other to determine who was the best president of the United States. Audience members will cast their votes in favor of their preferred candidate. After the verdict is announced, a reception will be held in which apple pie (Lincoln’s favorite) and cherry pie (associated with Washington) will be served. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program 2 p.m. Museum open 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Monday, Feb. 20, 2017
Presidents Day. The following museums of the State of Delaware will be open: The Johnson Victrola Museum and The Old State House, open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The following museums will be closed: The John Dickinson Plantation, the New Castle Court House Museum and the Zwaanendael Museum. 302-744-5054.

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017
Washington’s Birthday. All museums of the State of Delaware will be open: The Johnson Victrola Museum and The Old State House, open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; the John Dickinson Plantation, New Castle Court House Museum and the Zwaanendael Museum, open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017
“Paul Robeson.” African American History Month tours focus on the biography and family of bass vocalist Paul Robeson, and his achievements as they pertain to his struggle as a 20th-century black artist. The program will feature Robeson’s Victor recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017
“A World Apart.” Guided tours explore the 18th-century African-American experience on the plantation. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017
“Preserving African-American History in Delaware: Highlighting Vibrant Communities Through Research and the ‘Green Book.’ ” Presentation by researcher Carlton Hall of the State Historic Preservation Office on the “Green Book,” a travel and vacation guidebook for people of color during the segregation era. The program will explore the stories of African-Americans of the last century and their challenges living through the Jim Crow laws in Delaware from the 1920s to the 1960s. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Exhibits and displays, February 2017
In addition to special programming, the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is sponsoring the following exhibits and displays:

Thru mid-April, 2017
“The Old State House: A True Restoration 1976-2016.” Display explores preservation work that has been conducted since Delaware’s first state capitol building was restored to its original appearance in 1976. From the collections of the State of Delaware. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Mon.–Sat., 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Ongoing
“Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past.” Display explores the DeBraak, a shipwrecked 18th-century British warship including a photo of the hull recovery, reproductions of items aboard ship, and a model of the vessel. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing
“Emeline Hawkins: Her Journey From Slavery to Freedom on the Underground Railroad.” Exhibit chronicles the compelling story of Emeline Hawkins and her family and their 1845 odyssey on the Underground Railroad from slavery in Maryland, through Delaware to freedom in Pennsylvania. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing
Sculpture by Charles Parks. Display of works by the noted Wilmington artist featuring historical and political figures including a Minute Man, and presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and George W. Bush. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing
“A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World.” Exhibit utilizes artifacts recovered from His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak, a British warship that sank off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798 to tell the story of the vessel, its crew and the historical context within which it operated in the Atlantic World of the late 18th century. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing
“Simple Machines.” Exhibit demonstrating the six “simple machines”—incline ramp, screw, wedge, pulley, lever and wheel—that constitute the elementary building blocks of which many more-complicated machines are composed. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Oct. 1–March 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 1–Sept. 30: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

-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

DOVER — The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) held its final community flu clinic of the 2016-2017 flu season on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017 at the Legislative Hall Library. The annual event is open to the public and 31 people were vaccinated.

Additionally, DPH is announcing the second flu-related death for the 2016-2017 season. A 98-year-old New Castle County woman who had underlying health conditions and passed away last week. She had been diagnosed with influenza A.

To date, Delaware has 285 confirmed flu cases for the 2016-2017 season, with 77 requiring hospitalization. Of the 285 confirmed cases, 138 have been in New Castle County, 93 in Kent County, and 54 in Sussex County. These numbers reflect lab-confirmed cases and the number of individuals in the community with influenza or influenza-like illnesses, is likely much higher.

DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay says flu activity, which generally ramps up in January and February, has increased significantly in the past two weeks, and is much higher than at this time last year. The percentage of flu-related hospitalizations is also higher than last year at this time, and many of the hospitalized are elderly persons.

“Flu season is in full swing,” said Rattay, “but it’s still not too late to get vaccinated for this year as we continue to see flu cases into May. The vaccine takes two weeks to take effect so it is important that if you have not yet received your flu vaccine, you do so at your earliest convenience.”

Everyone over 6 months old, including the elderly and pregnant women, should receive an annual flu vaccination to protect against the virus. Getting vaccinated protects not only you, but also your family, friends, co-workers, and everyone around you by decreasing their chances of contracting the virus.

The flu can be particularly hard on the elderly and other vulnerable people, such as those with underlying health conditions. Dr. Rattay encouraged loved ones of vulnerable populations to make sure they and any health care workers and assisted living staff are vaccinated. Family and friends should check on vulnerable persons regularly, especially if they do develop flu-like symptoms, which include cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. While more common in children, some people might also experience vomiting or diarrhea.

Contact a doctor if symptoms worsen or someone has an underlying medical condition. A doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs. Antivirals are a second line of defense to treat the flu. It can lessen the symptoms, shorten the illness, and prevent complications. However, a flu vaccine is still the first and best way to prevent the flu.

Flu shots will still be available at DPH clinics located within the State Service Centers. A list is available at http://flu.delaware.gov or by calling 800-282-8672.

Vaccines are also available at many pharmacies and grocery stores, as well as through primary care physicians and some specialists. To find participating stores, enter your zip code in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) flu vaccine finder at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

The annual flu vaccination is your best protection against the virus, but DPH stressed the importance of taking further precautions against the flu virus such as washing your hands regularly, especially after coughing or sneezing, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue that is immediately disposed of, and staying home from work, school, or other engagements if you are sick with flu-like illnesses. Droplets from a sneeze can travel up to six feet. You should not return to your regular activities until you are fever-free (100 degrees F [37.8 degrees C]), without fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours.

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, and drink almost no sugary beverages.