Dover – Governor Jack Markell, and Lt. Governor Matt Denn joined officials from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF/The Children’s Dept.) to announce the names of 13 organizations that are receiving funding for targeted after school programming.  They made the announcement at South Dover Elementary School, one of the sites selected.  The initiative to support positive prevention activities for youth was part of Governor Jack Markell’s FY 14 Budget proposal.  In his State of the State in January, he specifically called for more opportunities for “after-school and summer activities that get kids off the streets and give them exposure to the arts, nature, and physical activity.” The General Assembly supported his budget request with $2.2 million as part of DSCYF’s budget for after school programs this session.

“Children engaged in positive activities outside of the classroom do better in school, at home, and in society,” said Governor Markell.  “These initiatives reduce drop-out rates, reduce depression, improve self-control and self-esteem, and prevent risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use and juvenile crime. I’m pleased that my administration has been able to work with the General Assembly to give our community partners, non-profit organizations, and schools additional resources to help our children grow and thrive.”

Schools and other organizations were permitted to apply for up to $20,000 in short term funding that must be used by the end of December.  An RFP for larger funding amounts was issued at the end of August.  The deadline to respond to the RFP, which is linked to the Children’s Department home page (www.kids.delaware.gov) has been extended to Thursday, September 26^th.

Programs selected for the initial round of funding cover a wide range of activities including anti-bullying, violence and suicide prevention, arts, theatre, skill and character building, health & fitness, tutoring, music, recreation, and more.

“These programs are addressing the overall well-being of children,” said Lt. Governor Matt Denn.  “They focus not only on their academic needs, but on their social, emotional and mental health needs as well. We’re taking a well-rounded approach to supporting our youth. ”

The selected program recipients will enter into contracts the Children’s Department’s Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services.  Four of the recipients are in Kent, four are in NcCo, and one is in Sussex County.  One program will operate in sites in both Kent and Sussex, and three more will operate in both Kent and NcCo. This initiative is partly an outgrowth of the initial recommendations by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the 2012 adolescent suicides in Kent County which pointed to a lack of after-school activities for youth in Kent and Sussex Counties.

“These after school programs will help to address the needs of children in all three Delaware counties.  We want to make sure that children statewide have the opportunity to participate in positive activities that some would not otherwise get to experience,” said DSYCF Secretary Jennifer Ranji.

The funding recipients are: Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Courageous Hearts Equine, Dover High School, Delaware State University, Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, Inner City Cultural League, Jewish Family Services, Milford Boys & Girls Club, PAL of Delaware, PS DuPont Middle School, South Dover Elementary, and University of Delaware 4H at McLane Gardens in Smyrna and Knollwood Community Center in Claymont.

South Dover Elementary will use the funds to support two of its after school programs: the Kiva Anti-Bullying program and Girls on The Run, which is a national program aimed at building the self-esteem of young girls through physical fitness.  At today’s announcement, state officials, local legislators and Capital School District officials got to see the 12 young ladies who are participating in both programs practicing their skills.  For Girls on the Run, the young ladies are working up to a 5K walk/run to be held in Milford.

South Dover Elementary School Principal Michelle Duke says funding opportunities for after school programs are important as state and federal money is usually reserved for academic programs, and private grant opportunities are disappearing.

“While we hold high academic standards for our students, we also recognize that their physical and social/emotional development has a direct connection to their academic success.  In addition, the social/emotional health and self-image these young girls possess is very important to their success in life. I am extremely proud of the team of South Dover teachers who wrote the grant and are committed to building healthy relationships with these girls and modeling healthy habits.”

The Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance problems, have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. For more information, please visit www.kids.delaware.gov.

Lieutenant Governor Asks Parents to Encourage Their School Districts to Apply for Grants

WILMINGTON – The Delaware State Board of Education gave final approval yesterday to a new state program that will make new funds available for programs targeted at academically advanced students. The program, created through legislation proposed last year by Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and the chairs of the General Assembly’s education committees, allows school districts to design programs targeted at students who are ahead of grade level in reading, writing, math, or science.

Under the new program, local school districts and schools are permitted to apply through October 25th for start-up grants for new programs targeted at students who are at least a half year ahead of grade level based upon current state standards. Most of the new programs are expected to be offered beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.

“There is a tremendous demand among parents for programs in our public schools that will really challenge their kids who are capable of doing advanced work,” said Lieutenant Governor Denn. “This program will make it possible for many of our schools to set up new programs that will give kids a chance to move ahead much more quickly in reading, writing, math, and science.”

Because the new program is only available to schools and districts that submit applications, Denn encouraged parents to contact their local school districts to ask them to apply. “If parents want these types of programs in their school districts, they need to let their superintendents and school board members know,” Denn said.

Programs proposed by schools and districts can also include elements of social studies, the arts, and other subjects as long as they are focused on reading, writing, math or science.

“When we provide programs that enable our children to excel in their education, we prepare them for future excellence and help them reach their fullest potential,” said Rep. Darryl Scott, D – Dover, Chair of the House Education Committee. “Helping students who may be falling behind is and will always remain one of our top priorities; at the same time, we should also challenge students who surpass their peers in academics.”

Sen. Sokola, D – Newark, chair of the Senate Education Committee, said, “These programs provide challenging instruction to children with exceptional academic capacity. This legislation is an effort to encourage more programs that provide appropriate opportunities for our students who are capable of advanced academic work.”

Group Considers More Issues & Monitors Impact of Recommendations 

WILMINGTON – Tomorrow, the Workers’ Compensation Task Force will reconvene for its first meeting since Governor Markell signed their recommendations into law on June 27, 2013.

Chaired by Lt. Governor Matt Denn, the task force met weekly for four months earlier this year to address the dramatic increase in Delaware’s workers compensation premiums over the past two years, after four consecutive years of decreases that totaled over 40%.   The Task Force’s recommendations were designed to reduce costs for Delaware businesses, so that those businesses can better compete with businesses in neighboring states and employ more Delawareans.

As part of its recommendations, the task force suggested that it be kept in existence on a temporary basis, both to consider some issues that it did not have time to discuss during the short time that it had to make recommendations, and so that it can monitor the impact of its recommendations and suggest stricter measures with respect to medical costs if necessary.  If the implemented recommendations do not result in manageable increases in workers compensation premiums, the task force believes that more significant changes should be considered both with respect to the levels and methods of paying medical claims, and the system for calculating injured workers permanency and lost wage claims.

Lt. Gov. Matt Denn has scheduled monthly meetings to be held on the 1st Friday of every month through June 2014, beginning Friday, September 6^th at 10:00am.

Created by House Joint Resolution 3, 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.  

The task force concluded that a number of statutory and regulatory changes were required in order to avoid significant future increases in workers compensation premiums.  The task force took the view that the 2007 statutory amendments and subsequent regulatory work done by the Health Care Advisory Panel had initially been effective in both controlling premiums and ensuring that injured workers continued to have prompt access to qualified doctors to treat their workplace injuries.  Therefore, the task force’s recommendations focus on revisions and improvements to the 2007 statute, not a wholesale rejection of that law and replacement of it with an entirely new system.

The task force’s recommendations fall into four areas:

1. Place tighter controls on workers compensation medical costs.  These recommendations include a two-year inflation freeze on the fee schedule for medical treatment of workers compensation recipients, a permanent reduction in the inflation rate allowed for hospital treatment of workers compensation recipients, and reductions in allowed reimbursements in a variety of medical categories.

2. Ensure that insurance carriers’ requests for rate increases receive a high level of scrutiny.  These recommendations include the retention of a part-time attorney to represent businesses during the workers compensation rate-setting process, and a system to ensure that insurers are diligently enforcing the state’s medical cost controls. 

3. Make the state’s laws encouraging injured workers to return to work more effective; and 

4. Improve the state’s workplace safety program to both increase its usage and ensure that is accurately determines which workplaces are using appropriate safety practices.

For the final report and all information from meetings, visit: http://ltgov.delaware.gov/

Meetings will be held on the first Friday of every month beginning Friday, September 6^th: 

10:00am – 11:30am

Department of Labor
19 W. Lea Boulevard
Fox Valley Annex (adjacent to the back entrance of M&T Bank; not visible from Lea Blvd)
Wilmington

Wilmington, DE – The Delaware Children’s Department is making $1.9 Million dollars in grant funding available to community and faith based organizations, schools, non-profit and for profit agencies and governmental agencies to implement after school and summer youth prevention programming. The Department (DSCYF) through its Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (PBHS) is accepting applications for the funding through September 19th. An informational bidder’s conference will be held September 3rd.

Programs must include evidence based practices or programs related to preventing youth violence and/or youth suicide. They must also include positive opportunities for youth by using curriculums that are academic, cultural, artistic, agricultural or recreational in nature, and include information on how children will access the program. Successful applicants must also agree to receive training in suicide and violence prevention strategies.

In his State of the State in January, Governor Jack Markell proposed providing more opportunities for “after-school and summer activities that get kids off the streets and give them exposure to the arts, nature, and physical activity.” The General Assembly supported his budget request with $2.2 million in funding.

“Children all across our state will benefit from enhanced educational and recreational activities as well as access to additional emotional supports,” said Markell. “These programs improve academic performance, reduce drop-out rates and depression, improve self-control and self-esteem, and prevent risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use. They are a vital part of our larger goal to give all of Delaware’s young people a quality education.”

This initiative is an outgrowth of the initial recommendations by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the 2012 Adolescent Suicides in Kent County which pointed to a lack of after-school activities for youth in Kent and Sussex Counties.

“These programs will help enhance the overall well-being of Delaware’s children,” said Lt. Governor Matt Denn, who has championed expanding access to children’s mental health services. “For instance, tutoring programs will keep children on track academically, and arts programs will engage them creatively, both of which we need to help build a stronger future for Delaware.”

This is the second announcement of funding allocated toward after school and summer prevention programming. In July, the Department announced the availability of $200,000.00 worth of prevention mini grants to put some of the funds to use immediately. Children’s Department Cabinet Secretary Jennifer Ranji said each initiative builds on the next.

“We are building on and expanding our network of community service providers to create a safety net of resources for children,” said Secretary Ranji. “Our goal is to build on their strengths in order to develop stronger, more resilient children who are empowered to envision a hopeful and successful future.

The RFP for “After School and Summer Youth Prevention Programming” can be found on the Children’s Department website at www.kids.delaware.gov and the state bid website at www.bids.delaware.gov under the title “Community Prevention Services”. Questions about the RFP should be directed to H. Ryan Bolles, DSCYF Procurement Administrator, at Herbert.Bolles@delaware.gov or (302) 633-2701.

The Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance problems, have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth.

Wilmington – A massive recruitment effort is now underway to fill 30 positions for Behavioral Health Consultants (BHCs) in middle schools statewide. The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) through its Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (PBHS), has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to fill these positions in response to funding made available by the General Assembly through Governor Jack Markell’s budget initiatives to expand access to mental health services for children.

“We owe it to our youth to ensure they have access to the services they need to get the most out of their school experience,” said Governor Markell. “The work of our Behavioral Health Consultants is vital to our mission of giving every Delawarean the best chance to reach their potential. These specialists will fill a critical gap in services and provide help to children at a vulnerable time in their young lives.”

While many Delaware elementary schools have Family Crisis Therapists and high schools have Wellness Centers where children can access help, middle schools have lacked similar supports. In his State of the State, Markell emphasized the “huge gap in our care for adolescents” and asked the General Assembly to help him address this need. The budget funded his proposed ten-fold increase in the number of trained, front line mental health personnel in our middle schools.

BHCs are highly trained and licensed mental health professionals. They provide suicide risk assessments, substance abuse and trauma screening, short-term individual and family counseling, training and consultation for parents, teachers and administrators, and referrals to longer term treatment in the community. As part of the RFP, PBHS is also looking for a Contract Manager to oversee the program along with three County Coordinators. Applications are due by September 12th.

Lt. Governor Matt Denn worked with the Governor and DSCYF to champion this initiative which will place at least one BHC in every school district in Delaware. “Every step we take brings us closer to helping students in need, so I am hopeful that the RFP process brings us quality candidates who can get into schools quickly in order to start making a difference,” said Lt. Governor Denn.

A Delaware Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed the need for middle school students’ access to mental health services through the following data: Over 20% of Middle school students reported having seriously considered suicide at some point in their life; 33% reported using alcohol; 14% reported having used drugs.

DSCYF Secretary Jennifer Ranji says, “The pre-teen, years can be very challenging for our young people. Negative behaviors that stem from an inability to cope with those challenges can result in family stress and suspension or expulsion from school – changes that can impact a child for a lifetime. The BHCs will help us identify at risk children earlier than before, so that we can provide appropriate interventions, and improve the number of positive and successful outcomes for these youth”.

The RFP and application instructions can be found on the DSCYF website at www.kids.delaware.gov, or the State bid website at www.bids.delaware.gov under the title of Behavioral Health Services. Questions should be directed to H. Ryan Bolles, DSCYF Procurement Administrator, at herbert.bolles@delaware.gov or (302) 633-2701.

The Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance problems, have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. For more information, please visit www.kids.delaware.gov.