82% of non-profit funding dedicated to re-entry services; up from 46% in 2007

WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn, Chair of the Criminal Justice Council, and Chris Kervick, Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Council, announced the 2014 Byrne Grant recipients at a press conference at the Rick VanStory Resource Center in Wilmington.

This year’s Byrne Grants were awarded to seven non-profits agencies – representing all three counties – that specialized in the CJC’s priority areas of Re-entry and Recidivism Reduction for Adults and Juveniles, Juvenile Prevention and Intervention, and Reducing Homicide and Violent Crime. The total of all awards is $501,079.76 and 82% of funding is dedicated to re-entry services, up from 46% in 2007. The increase in re-entry funding reflects a decision by the CJC to concentrate its limited federal grant resources in this important area.

Lt. Governor Denn said, “These groups have proven track records of providing quality services that continue to make a difference in our communities. I am impressed with their plans to expand these much-needed programs in our state.”

“The Byrne Justice Assistance Grant is the cornerstone federal assistance program for the Criminal Justice Council,” said Executive Director Chris Kervick. “It allows the flexibility required to support local programs as they provide much needed services to the people who need them most. The Criminal Justice Council congratulates this year’s grant recipients and we look forward to working with the agencies to make each program successful.”

Rick VanStory Resource Center CEO Allen Conover said today, “We would like to thank the Delaware Criminal Justice Council for the opportunity to enhance our ability to provide essential services to individuals involved with the criminal justice system that are mentally ill and/or that suffer from substance abuse. We look forward to utilizing our collective experiences to assist others.”

Here is a list of recipients, the award amount, and short description of what the funding will be used for:

Boys & Girls Clubs at Oak Orchard/Riverdale: Stop It Before It Starts Prevention Program $50,930.00
Facilitating 2 curriculums: “Positive Action” on bullying, substance abuse, and suicide for 8 to 13 year-olds; and “Courage to Speak” on drug abuse prevention for parents. Grant will fund program facilitators, counselor, and educational equipment.

Courageous Hearts Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning Center Equine Assisted Learning: Power Tools for Living Program $39,690.00
Providing therapeutic equine activities for at-risk youth. The program teaches youths to interact with and care for horses, and offers mental health counseling. Grant will cover salary for the director, bookkeeper, equine specialists, & therapist, as well as facility rental.

Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing, Inc.: Re-entry Opportunity and Recidivism Prevention $97,900.00
Provide shelter, job placement, case management, and counseling to former inmates.

The Hospitality School, Inc.: Culinary Arts & Restaurant Training Reducing Recidivism $69,933.00
Provide culinary training for hard-to-employ individuals, specially focusing on ex-offenders. This free, 14-week program also teaches soft skills & financial literacy, and includes an internship.

Rick VanStory Resource Centers: Case Management for Mental Health Offenders $115,711.76
Provide case management, mental health counseling, and substance abuse treatment to homeless former inmates. Program will operate in all counties.

Victims’ Voices Heard: Victim Impact: Listen and Learn / Stand Down: Courage to Change $60,000.00
Implement two programs that involve group sessions at correctional institutions; one focuses on victim impact awareness and the other on setting and working toward re-entry goals.

The Way Home, Inc.: Expanding Way Home Case Management Services $66,915.00
Add to the agency’s case management staff to serve inmates who are re-entering the community. Case manager will assist with employment, education, and basic needs.

Background: The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program (42 U.S.C. 3751(a)) is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system from multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

Event pictures can be found here.

WILMINGTON, Del., Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and the Criminal Justice Council will announce this year’s recipients of the Byrne Grants awards. He will be joined by Acting Director of the CJC, Chris Kervick.

All 2014 Byrne Grant recipients:
Boys & Girls Clubs at Oak Orchard/Riverdale
Courageous Hearts Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning Center
Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing, Inc.
The Hospitality School, Inc.
Rick VanStory Resource Centers
Victims’ Voices Heard
The Way Home, Inc.

This year’s Byrne Grants were awarded to 7 non-profits, representing all 3 counties, that specialized in the CJC’s priority areas of Re-entry and Recidivism Reduction for Adults and Juveniles, Juvenile Prevention and Intervention, and Reducing Homicide and Violent Crime, with approximately 80% of the funding being directed to re-entry programs.

Background: The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program (42 U.S.C. 3751(a)) is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system from multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

Announcement of the 2014 Byrne Grant recipients
Tour of the Rick VanStory Resource Center

Wednesday, May 28, 2014, 11:00 a.m.

Rick VanStory Resource Centers
500 W. 2nd Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

German flooring company aims to move into 53,000-square-foot plant by April 2015

Dover, Del. (May 20, 2014) – Germany-based flooring company Uzin Utz AG broke ground on its first U.S.-based dry mortar plant Tuesday, adding to its 113-year legacy of success while also contributing to the bright future of manufacturing in Delaware.

Gov. Jack Markell, Lt. Gov. Matt Denn and Alan Levin, Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, joined company officials in a ceremonial moving of the dirt at the future site of the 53,000-square-foot facility, which will anchor the Garrison Oak Technical Park in Dover.

Gov. Markell thanked Dr. Werner Utz, Chief Executive Officer of Uzin Utz, and Philipp Utz, President of subsidiary Uzin Utz Manufacturing North America Inc., for choosing Delaware as the site for their expansion.

“Since coming into office five years ago, my goal has been to have Delaware compete and win on the global playing field. Today, we’re celebrating yet another win,” Gov. Markell said. “Uzin Utz is the textbook definition of an anchor tenant. With more than a century of excellence, the parent company is both stable and secure. And in Philipp Utz, the company’s subsidiary is led by a fourth-generation executive who will merge Uzin Utz’s tradition of excellence with its ideas for tomorrow.”

Founded by Georg Utz in 1911, Uzin Utz AG is a family-run company that specializes in professional installation systems for all types of floor coverings, leveling compounds, damp-proofing systems, adhesives for textile, resilient coverings and wood flooring. Once complete, Uzin Utz’s 53,000-square-foot plant will also house a research and development center and an application area for testing and customer training.

“We are very excited about the groundbreaking today. With this manufacturing plant we demonstrate our strong commitment to U.S. customers, the State of Delaware and the City of Dover. It has taken only seven months to get to the groundbreaking, which shows that Dover is a great place to set up new businesses,” Philipp Utz said. “Dover is strategically located to our core customer markets, and Garrison Oak Technical Park provides an ideal location, with access to a skilled work force and modern infrastructure that will allow us to expand the plant in the future.”

Uzin Utz was awarded a Delaware Strategic Fund Performance Grant and a Capital Expenditure Grant, and plans to create 23 jobs at its new facility in Dover.

“Manufacturing in Delaware is growing by changing. Companies and organizations in that sector are redefining what it means to be a traditional manufacturer and training employees to use the most current technology and practices. Uzin Utz selected Delaware in large part because it recognized our commitment to fostering this growth and change,” Levin said. “Uzin Utz is also one of several companies that chose Delaware because of its well-trained workforce. Nowhere is this more true than Kent County, where the company will have no problem finding a stream of prepared individuals who are ready to work.”

In addition to Uzin Utz, Garrison Oak Technical Park will also soon be home to The Garrison Energy Center, Calpine Corp.’s 309-megawatt combined-cycle electric generating facility, which will enhance reliability for Delaware and the regional power market. The facility is slated to be ready for commercial use by June 2015.

About the Delaware Economic Development Office
The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State. Visit dedo.delaware.gov.

About Uzin Utz AG
Since its foundation in the year 1911, Uzin Utz AG has developed from a regional adhesives manufacture to a globally active full-range system supplier for flooring systems. The family-run business, currently in its third generation, and its some 900 members of staff are leading in the development and manufacture of special products and machinery for floor treatment. With their long-standing experience and the comprehensive flooring competence of the product brands Uzin, Wolff, Pallmann, Arturo, codex and RZ as well as the advisory service UFloor Systems, the company offers its partners practice-oriented products, systems and services for the installation, renovation and value maintenances of floors of all kinds. The company’s subsidiary, Uzin Utz Manufacturing North America Inc., was founded in 2012 and will be located in Dover, Delaware, when its new dry mortar plant and research and development facility are built in 2015. Visit www.uzin-utz.ag.

Photos here.

DOVER, Del., – Today, May 19th, Lt. Governor Matt Denn will welcome winners of the 6th Annual Lt. Governor’s Art Contest to Legislative Hall in Dover.

This year, the contest received hundreds of amazing entries from students all over Delaware. Each entry was truly unique and showed particular character. Art came from schools all over Delaware and was done by artists from Pre-K through 12th grade. Thirty pieces were chosen in 12 categories (1st, 2nd, 3rd places & honorable mention in elementary, middle and high school categories).

This year’s theme was “Family Fun in Delaware.” Participants created a piece of art that highlighted what family fun in Delaware means to them. Winners will have their artwork displayed in the Lt. Governor’s Dover and Wilmington offices for the entire year following the contest.

The winners and their families will attend an art reception in Legislative Hall, where their artwork has been beautifully displayed by the Department of State’s Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. The Lt. Governor will make remarks, hand out awards, and take pictures with the artists and their families. This year’s winning artwork comes from 7 schools (sorted by district):

Appoquinimink School District:
• Middletown High School
• MOT Charter School

Capital School District:
• Central Middle School

Milford School District:
• Milford High School

Caesar Rodney School District:
• Major George Welch Elementary School

Indian River School District:
• Millsboro Middle School

Red Clay School District:
•Cab Calloway School of the Arts

Art Contest Reception
Monday, May 19, 2014
6:00pm
Legislative Hall
411 Legislative Avenue
Dover, DE 19901
*Doors open at 5:15pm; remarks by Lt. Governor at 6:00pm.

Submitted pursuant to House Bill 175, 147th General Assembly

DOVER, Del. – This afternoon, Lt. Governor Denn, Chair of Delaware’s Workers’ Compensation Task Force, and business and legislative leaders made recommendations to Governor Markell and the General Assembly to stop the large workers compensation rate increases that are burdening Delaware businesses.

Governor Markell said of today’s report and recommendations, “I applaud the Lt. Governor’s work on this extremely important issue for Delaware’s business community. His leadership ensured that the task force acted swiftly and effectively to address the high rates that have burdened our employers. The bipartisan reform package outlined today represents the culmination of a great deal of work, commitment and compromise by everyone involved with the task force.”

The Workers’ Compensation Task Force was created on January 30, 2013 by the Delaware General Assembly and the Governor, and charged with an expedited review of Delaware law relating to workers’ compensation, the impact that the 2007 amendments to that law had upon workers’ compensation premiums, the reasons for recent increases in workers’ compensation premiums, and whether any additional changes to statutes, regulations, or practices are required to control growth in premiums. As detailed in the task force’s prior report, Delaware’s workers’ compensation premiums had risen by calendar year 2006 to be the third most expensive in the country. The primary reason for Delaware’s high premiums was generally agreed to be medical costs – the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau (DCRB) indicated that in 2006, medical costs were 60% of total workers compensation system costs in Delaware, as compared to 40% in surrounding states.

The task force delivered its first set of recommendations in May 2013, and those recommendations were consolidated into House Bill 175 which passed the Delaware House of Representatives and Delaware State Senate unanimously. Among the provisions of House Bill 175 was one that continued the existence of this task force through June 30, 2014.

The task force’s recommendations fall into three areas:

1. Heightened Oversight of Insurance Carriers. These recommendations include consolidating the Data Collection Committee and the Health Care Advisory Panel into a single committee and a Ratepayer Advocate to be hired and overseen by the Workers’ Compensation Oversight Panel, with staff support to be provided by the Department of Labor.

2. Stricter Control on Medical Costs. These recommendations include directing the Workers’ Compensation Oversight Panel to create a new medical fee schedule, using multipliers of medical codes used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which results in a 33% savings from all providers (to be phased in over a three year period) and recommending that the General Assembly (through the Workers’ Compensation Oversight Panel) monitor both the rate impact of these recommendations and their impact upon providers as the recommendations are phased in, and make statutory adjustments in the fee schedule if appropriate.

3. Consideration of New Rating Organization. The task force recommends that DOI undertake a formal assessment of whether there should be a change in the rating organization used by Delaware insurance carriers, and include members of the task force who have expressed concerns about the current situation in that formal assessment.

“Lt. Gov. Denn deserves much of the credit for this proposal, without his expertise and leadership we might still be struggling with this issue,” said Senate President Pro Tem Patricia Blevins, D-Elsmere. “It is our hope that this proposal will result in real savings to businesses that have been struggling with ever-skyrocketing workers’ compensation rate increases.”

State Representative Ruth Briggs King (R-Georgetown), a member of the task force, said, “This bill is the result of months of work with employers, health care providers and insurers. I believe a great deal of thought and consideration went into crafting this legislation, which I believe will help reduce the uncertainty and escalating premiums for Delaware’s small businesses.”

“I think we had an excellent group of task force members, committed to helping the business community, and I can’t thank them enough for all of their hard work,” said Senator Gerald Hocker (R-Ocean View), both a panel member and the owner of several Sussex County businesses. “It turned out to be a great idea to keep this task force together for another year, and I think the legislation that comes out of this effort is going to provide significant cost savings to the employers of the state of Delaware.”

“The members of the Worker’s Compensation Task Force have taken on the task of improving critical elements to Delaware’s competitiveness when it comes to job creation and business expansion,” said Rep. Bryon Short, D-Brandywine Hundred. “Through great effort, we have tackled one of the most important factors driving up workers compensation costs for Delaware’s employers. I believe the adoption of a relative value units-based fee schedule will have a meaningful impact on the premiums paid in Delaware. Our work is not done. Other important areas resulting in high premiums for Delaware businesses need to be examined in the coming year, and we will continue to look out for businesses and the workers they employ.”

“It was not easy to get to this point in making changes to the workers compensation payment system,” said Rich Heffron, President of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. “Through the dedication and hard work of my fellow Task Force members – along with Lt. Governor Denn’s leadership – today we are able to propose changes that can be expected to lower Delaware’s workers compensation rates. We still need to determine why Delaware’s cases take longer to settle, and how insurance companies calculate their reserves, but that is for a future Task Force to examine.”

A copy of the report is included, as are separate statements from the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau, Medical Society of Delaware, and the Delaware Department of Insurance, included at their request.

Liberty Insurance Corp. and LMI Insurance Corp. Target 2014

Medical Society of Delaware’s May 9, 2014 Workers’ Comp Task Force Statement

Lt. Governor Denn’s DOI Workers’ Compensation Task Force Letter from May 12, 2014

DCRB Comments to May 14, 2014 Task Force Report

Workers Comp Report Presented May 15, 2014