“Tobacco use leads the list of preventable deaths in the United States. Raising the age to 21 to purchase will reduce smoking and save lives. Let’s make Delaware stronger and healthier, and pass SB 25.”

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“No protection against discrimination is unacceptable. Equal means equal. From the gender pay gap to workplace discrimination, women deserve to have the same opportunities and rights as men. End of story.”

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The Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens (GACEC) and its community partners, are pleased to report that the Heart 2 Heart Hugs campaign has now begun. Heart 2 Heart Hugs is focused on providing warmth, comfort, hugs and smiles for kids and young adults in Delaware who are homeless or in foster care. Donations of “hugs” (to include new or handmade coats, blankets, scarves, gloves, fleece items, monetary donations and more) will continue until February 2019 for this year’s effort.

The GACEC has received tremendous support not only from individuals within the community, but from area businesses, state agencies and other organizations as well. Most recently the Twisted Stitchers crocheting group that meets at Dover’s Modern Maturity Center donated many large bags of beautiful handmade items. In October the program was blessed with another large donation of handmade items from the Care Wear project that is part of Volunteer Delaware.

Statistics from the Delaware Department of Education (DOE) show that in the 2017-18 school year, there were 21,168 students receiving special education services. Roughly one third of those students are homeless or in foster care. Homelessness impacts children and the State of Delaware in many ways. Health issues, food security and educational proficiency are areas that the report uses to show how great the needs are for children who are homeless. Wendy Strauss, executive director of the GACEC stated that “…this project connects hearts and collects hugs for our children in foster care and for our children who are homeless.

Programs like this let our children know that we are thinking about them and we care for them.” Dover Mayor, Robin R. Christiansen commented during his remarks at the Kickoff Event, held November 29th at Central Middle School, “Every one of us can make a difference in the lives of someone who is not as fortunate as we are, and we should strive to do that daily.” Secretary Josette Manning of the Division of Services for Children Youth and their Families (DSCYF) spoke about the blessing that this program is to those experiencing placement in foster care or homelessness. “Often the transition to foster care is a move that is quick and traumatic for the children, having something of their very own at a new place can be such a comfort.” Wendy Strauss concluded the kickoff by reminding everyone to connect hearts and collect hugs for our children who are homeless or in foster care across the State. Items will be collected through February 11, 2019, with the distribution event scheduled to take place on February 14, 2019 at George Massey Station in Dover. The distribution reception will allow foster care representatives and school homeless liaisons from around the State the opportunity to select needed items for their clients.

Drop-off points are located throughout the state and may be found on the homepage of the GACEC at http://gacec.delaware.gov. Contact the GACEC at (302) 739-4553 or Sybil Baker, GACEC Administrative Coordinator Sybil.brown@gacec.k12.de.us for additional information.

Opportunity for Delawareans to drive change and elevate the well-being, productivity, and prosperity of their communities

DOVER, Del. (Dec. 19, 2018) — The Lt. Governor’s Challenge is now accepting nominations for its Spring 2019 awards, through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 15, 2019. The Challenge, which kicked off in October, is an ongoing opportunity for Delawareans to embrace healthier living, inspire their peers to do the same, and be recognized for their achievements.

“Poor diet and physical inactivity are two of the most important health issues affecting weight and poor health outcomes in the state of Delaware,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “The Lt. Governor’s Challenge is an opportunity for individuals to change this. Whether you nominate yourself, a group you are involved in, or one that you think deserves it, we encourage you to share the story in the hopes of inspiring others to take steps toward healthier living.” 

An individual can nominate him or herself, a group or organization with which they are affiliated, or a group or organization with which they’re not involved but that they believe exemplifies the promotion and practice of healthier living. All nominations must be submitted online using this form. No mail-in nominations will be accepted.

Before starting the nomination process, it’s important to identify the area of focus for the initiative (emotional well-being, healthy living, chronic disease management and prevention, or mother-and-child health) and the community category (individual, workplace, school, or community or town, city, or neighborhood with a shared interest) that is most deserving of the Lt. Governor’s Challenge nomination. These two factors will determine a nominee’s profile and ensure that the selection committee considers the nominee in the best possible context for recognition. Nominations will consist of several short-form narratives (no more than 300 words for each question) that explain why the nominee exemplifies the mission of the Lt. Governor’s Challenge.

“This Challenge provides participants the opportunity to demonstrate how everyone can help to make healthy choices, for ourselves, our families and for others in various settings in Delaware.” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director for the Division of Public Health. “We are very excited to partner with the Lt. Governor to inspire Delawareans to embrace healthier living and improve health outcomes in the state.”

Today’s Lt. Governor’s Challenge has its roots in the vision of former Lt. Governor John Carney, who is now governor. Inspired by Governor Carney’s mission to address physical activity and fitness levels of youth and adults, as well as her own dedication to improving the quality of life for all Delawareans, Lt. Governor Hall-Long aims to reinvigorate the Challenge in order to elevate the well-being, productivity, and prosperity of our state.

Through their efforts, the Lt. Governor’s office discovered that many people, in various communities statewide, were already making efforts to live better, and in doing so, were influencing change in others. The Lieutenant Governor established this event to shed light on this effort. These initiatives further promote policy, system, and environmental (PSE) change strategies, and thereby mobilize even more residents to join the journey to a healthier Delaware.

Please visit https://ltgovernorschallenge.org for more information on submitting a nomination, or visit us on Facebook (@LtGovernorDE) or Twitter (@LTGovHall_Long).

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DOVER, Del. (Oct. 25, 2018) — In her latest efforts to help build a stronger and healthier Delaware, Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long kicked off the annual Lt. Governor’s Challenge on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. at DE TURF in Frederica, Delaware. The Lt. Governor’s Challenge is an ongoing opportunity for Delawareans to embrace healthier living, inspire their peers and be recognized for their achievements. The event is free and open to the public.

Through her efforts within the community both as Lt. Governor and as a nurse, Lt. Governor Hall-Long understands the connection between physical and emotional wellness as well as health and learning. The lieutenant governor’s office discovered that many people were already making efforts to live better in various communities statewide—and in doing so, were helping to influence change in others. With so many dedicated groups already leading the way, the lieutenant governor established this challenge to bring their good works to light and to further promote policy, system and environmental (PSE) change strategies in order to mobilize even more individuals and communities on the journey to a healthier Delaware.

Poor diet and physical inactivity are two of the most important health issues affecting weight and health outcomes in Delaware. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports Delaware’s 2017 adult obesity prevalence rate at 31.8% which is slightly higher than the 2016 prevalence rate of 30.7%. In addition, 37% of adults are overweight. When adding the percentage of Delaware adults who are overweight or obese, Delaware ranks 11th among states.

“Lt. Governor Hall-Long is working to elevate the well-being, productivity and prosperity of all Delawareans, and we hope that everyone will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to embark on a healthier lifestyle,” said Governor John Carney. “We look forward to seeing the impact the Challenge has on all Delawareans, and I want to thank the Lieutenant Governor for her continued leadership on this issue.”

Among those attending the kickoff were Governor John Carney; Dr. Karyl T. Rattay, MD, MS, Director, Division of Public Health; Shawn Garvin, Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control; Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary, Department of Education; Elizabeth Walker Romero, MS, Director, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health; William Strickland, Chairman of DE TURF, as well as other state leaders in the fields of health and well-being. During the kickoff, Lt.Governor Hall-Long will revealed the program’s vision and platform as well as preview the Challenge’s nomination and resource website.

Today’s Lt. Governor’s Challenge has its roots in the vision of former Lt. Governor, now Governor, Carney. Inspired by Governor Carney’s mission to address physical activity and fitness levels of youth and adults, as well as her own dedication to improving the quality of life for all Delawareans, Lt. Governor Hall-Long aims to reinvigorate the Lt. Governor’s Challenge in order to elevate the well-being, productivity and prosperity of our state.

“More than just a recognition program for health and wellness initiatives, the Lt. Governor’s Challenge is an opportunity for individuals to be a driver of change in their own families, neighborhoods, workplaces, community groups or schools,” said Lt. Governor Hall-Long. “Whether someone nominates himself or herself, or a group they find deserving of recognition, by sharing stories and results, participants in the Challenge can encourage fellow Delawareans to discover how they, too, can take steps toward a healthy mind and body.”

“Because health outcomes are driven by the conditions of the places where we live, learn, work and play, this Challenge provides participants the opportunity to demonstrate how everyone can help to make healthy choices, for ourselves, our families and for others in various settings in Delaware. We are excited to work with the Lieutenant Governor to kick-start sweeping change throughout our state,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director for the Division of Public Health.

“This Challenge brings us one step closer to setting up and preparing our students for healthy and successful lives as adults by providing them with those essential building blocks and tools now,” said Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Department of Education.

Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, adds, “The Lt. Governor’s work directly aligns with our agency’s efforts to encourage our children and adults alike to spend more time outdoors and to lead healthier lives.”

For more information, please visit www.ltgovernorschallenge.org or visit us on Facebook (@LtGovernorDE), Twitter (@LTGovHall_Long) and/or Instagram (@ltgovbethany)