Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, Gov. John Carney Promote Affordable Internet Access for All

DOVER, Del. – Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Governor John Carney, and community leaders are encouraging Delawareans to check their eligibility for free or low-cost internet options as Delaware kicks off summer learning and enrichment activities. The awareness coincides with the Biden Administration’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Week of Action this June. 

Starting this summer, libraries across Delaware will be hosting free enrollment events so residents can receive assistance, learn about the program, and assess their eligibility. To take the first step, Delawareans can go to getacp.org/delaware to assess their eligibility and prepare application materials. To be eligible for the program, households must have an income below 200% of the federal poverty line, utilize SNAP, Medicaid (Medical), WIC, Pell Grant or other qualifying federal programs or have a student eligible for free or reduced-price meals. 

ACP is a federal program that offers eligible households $30 per month toward home internet services. Most internet providers offer plans for $30 per month, which means that qualifying households can access free or low-cost internet service by enrolling in the ACP.  

“Internet access is no longer a luxury for families; it’s a necessity. Access to the internet not only connects us to information, it connects Delawareans to each other and to the opportunities they need to thrive from job and educational opportunities to community resources and updates. The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) levels the playing field and makes the promise of internet access a reality for more Delawareans,” said Lt. Governor Hall-Long. “I’m encouraging stakeholders, community leaders and officials to encourage Delawareans to find out their eligibility and see if they can receive free or low-cost internet access. It’s time we make the promise of internet access a reality for every Delawarean.” 

The Affordable Connectivity Program was funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and spearheaded by President Joe Biden, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. State data estimates that more than 140,000 Delaware households are eligible for this federal program.  

In March, Delaware officials and municipal leaders launched a statewide initiative to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program in partnership with EducationSuperHighway, a national non-profit whose mission is to close the broadband affordability gap. As a result, cities and towns across Delaware have participated in ACP outreach initiatives from Wilmington to Laurel. 

“Internet has become a utility, just like electricity or water,” said Governor Carney. “The affordable Connectivity Program provides discounted internet access to qualifying Delaware families. I encourage Delaware families to see if they qualify today at getacp.org/de”  

According to the federal government, more than 18.5 million households are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program across the country, saving a total of over $500 million per month on their high-speed internet bills. 

“In today’s world, internet access isn’t just a convenience – it’s a necessity. I’m proud that we passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help make broadband available for everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or location,” said Sen. Carper. “Here in the First State, libraries will help Delawareans check their eligibility and get assistance with application materials for free or low-cost internet options. This Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Week of Action, everyone has the opportunity to gain access to the critical online resources they need.” 

“The pandemic put on full display the absolute necessity for every home to have access to reliable internet,” said Sen. Coons. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Delawareans across the state will be able to afford fast and reliable online access.” 

“The Affordable Connectivity Program is an opportunity for Delawareans to get connected to affordable, high-speed internet at little to no cost – a necessity for work, education, health care services, and more,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “That’s why I co-led the Emergency Broadband Connections Act to bolster access to broadband for low-income individuals, which became the basis for the Affordable Connectivity Program. I strongly encourage Delawareans across our state to visit affordableconnectivity.gov to see if they’re eligible for this transformative benefit.” 

“Delaware Libraries support Delawareans with internet access and digital literacy every day, which are core essentials for employment and to manage the tasks of daily life. Delaware Libraries are pleased to raise awareness and assist with registration for the Affordable Connectivity Program,” said Dr. Annie Norman, Delaware State Librarian. 

Take advantage of local opportunities to learn more about ACP starting this summer. Digital Literacy Summer Associates (through AmeriCorps Vista) will available for 10 weeks in 12 libraries: 

  • Claymont Public Library 
  • Wilmington Public Library- North Branch 
  • Milford Public Library 
  • Harrington Public Library 
  • Milton Public Library 
  • Georgetown Public Library 
  • Greenwood Public Library 
  • Bridgeville Public Library 
  • Seaford Library & Cultural Center 
  • Laurel Public Library 
  • Delmar Public Library 
  • Selbyville Public Library 
Teleservice specialists who are ACP certified through the EducationSuperHighway LearnACP course will be available to help residents enroll in the program through the end of the year at 13 libraries: 
  • Wilmington Public Library 
  • Wilmington Public Library- North Branch 
  • Elsmere Public Library 
  • Woodlawn Public Library 
  • Bear Public Library 
  • Rt. 9 Library and Innovation Center 
  • Dover Public Library 
  • Newark Free Library 
  • Milford Public Library 
  • Lewes Public Library 
  • Milton Public Library 
  • Georgetown Public Library 
  • Laurel Public Library 

To learn about available times and enrollment opportunities, check your local library’s programming either in person or visit the Delaware Libraries online calendarhttps://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/calendar/?t=d&q=ACP&cid=-1&cal=-1&inc=0 Dates and times vary.  

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Related News: Governor Carney Launches Statewide Initiative to Increase Affordable Connectivity Program Adoption


Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long Issues Call to Action for Reproductive Freedom on Anniversary of Dobbs Decision

WILMINGTON, Del. – In a social media video released Friday, Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long shared a call to action to support reproductive rights for all Delawareans in advance of the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe. V. Wade.  

On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the Dobbs decision, which overturned the landmark Roe. V. Wade precedent that had protected women’s ability to make decisions about their own bodies. But even before the Dobbs decision, here in Delaware lawmakers took the necessary action to codify protections and ensure access to abortion care and healthcare rights. Delaware lawmakers, including Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown and Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, continue to prioritize these issues and work to reduce barriers to reproductive healthcare

As a mom and nurse who worked as a childbirth educator and perinatal grief counselor, this issue is personal, Lt. Governor Hall-Long shared in her video message.  

“So as a nurse, and as a mom, today I join millions of women across the country in declaring that abortion care is healthcare. And that attacks on reproductive justice are not just a threat on women, they are a threat to all of us,” said Lt. Governor Hall-Long, Ph.D., R.N.in her video message.  

According to the Guttmacher Institute, in the year since the Dobbs decision, abortion is completely banned in 13 states and many more states have been working to restrict abortion access.

“It’s up to us to protect reproductive freedom and women’s choices and healthcare, and to make sure those rights are ready for everyone,” Lt. Governor Hall-Long continued in the video. “I applaud leaders in the legislature working to ensure abortion care is covered regardless of income and ensuring that women aren’t discriminated against based on the type of insurance they have. I hope you will join me in commemorating today as a call to action. Let’s continue the fight for reproductive healthcare, here in Delaware and across this country.” 

View the Lt. Governor’s call to action on her Facebook page. 


Lt. Governor Hall-Long Applauds House Passage of Bill to Create Delaware’s First Rare Disease Advisory Council

DOVER, Del. – On Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long released a statement following the House of Representatives’ passage of Senate Bill 55, legislation to create a new advisory body for Delawareans living with rare diseases.

Sponsored by Sen. Nicole Poore and Rep. Krista Griffith, Senate Bill 55 would establish a Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC) in Delaware to help identify and address barriers to treatment and care, fostering robust dialogue around research, resources, and best practices.

Under this bill, the council will be comprised of stakeholders from across the rare disease community including health care providers, elected officials, researchers, patients, and caregivers. There are approximately 7,000 known rare diseases, which can impact individuals in a variety of ways from lack of affordable and accessible treatment therapies to challenges with diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

“Delawareans living with rare diseases should never suffer in silence. This new advisory council will give patients, caregivers, and families a platform to address concerns and create a foundation for further innovation to create treatments and improve services,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, nurse and Ph.D. who led efforts to get the legislation introduced. “I am so thankful for the leadership of Sen. Poore and Rep. Griffith and the advocacy of the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Together, we can break down barriers and improve the quality of life for our neighbors suffering from rare diseases.”

It is estimated that 25-30 million Americans suffer from a rare disease. If signed into law, Delaware would join 26 other states across the nation to have established a Rare Disease Advisory Council. More than 90% of rare disease do not have an FDA-approved treatment, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). Challenges with treatment options combined with unsustainable medical costs can negatively impact the care of an individual with a rare disease.

“An estimated one in ten Americans is living with a rare disease, but many patients struggle to find knowledgeable health care providers with relevant expertise and access to necessary care and treatment for their complex condition. NORD is thrilled to see Delaware join the growing number of states looking to support their rare disease community by establishing a Rare Disease Advisory Council and we are so thankful to Senator Poore, Representative Griffith and Lt. Governor Hall-Long for their efforts to create an RDAC in Delaware,” said Heidi Ross, Vice President of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at the National Organization for Rare Disorders.

Senate Bill 55 now heads to Governor John Carney for his signature.


Lt. Governor Hall-Long Convenes Delaware’s First Mental and Behavioral Health Summit

WILMINGTON, Del. – On Monday, Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long convened national and local experts, elected leaders, and community advocates in a first-of-its-kind summit discussing the state of Delaware residents’ behavioral and mental health. The inaugural day-long summit, 2023 Mental and Behavioral Health Summit: Pathways and Partnerships for a Stronger Delaware, comes amidst an ongoing national and state opioid crisis and a significant rise in the need for mental health treatment and services, a need made far worse by the pandemic and the vital gaps in access to care it caused.

“The emotional well-being of our families has never been more important. From Delawareans living with mental illness or substance use disorder to those whose families have been touched by trauma or suicide, ensuring people have the support they need demands a cradle to grave approach,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Chair of the Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium. “This Summit provided an opportunity to bring leaders, experts, and impacted Delawareans together to address the root causes of these struggles, so our residents have the capacity to heal and thrive.”

Across the country, states are grappling with the fallout from COVID-19 impacting families, workforce needs, treatment, and more. The World Health Organization reported a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression in the year following the pandemic. State data cites that close to 1 in 4 Delaware adults — 22.2% — reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders between March 2020 and April 2023. According to the CDC, every 11 minutes in the United States we lose someone to suicide. And as the national opioid epidemic continues, Delaware recently reported its highest yearly overdose deaths in 2022.

The Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium, a national model, is a key action-agent that convenes community advocates, law enforcement, healthcare professionals and state leaders to tackle this issue head-on. In addition to spearheading Delaware legislation that created the nation’s first overdose system of care, the Consortium helped pass mental health parity legislation, and has advanced a holistic approach to care that emphasizes housing and food security and other social determinants of health.

“The Behavioral Health Consortium works tirelessly to create solutions that reduce stigma and support high-quality, personal prevention, treatment and recovery services for all Delawareans. Our residents deserve nothing less. I’m excited to see the future connections and collaboration this Summit nurtures,” said Alexia Wolf, Director of the Behavioral Health Consortium.

Panel discussions and featured speakers uplifted the voices of Delawareans and national expertise around data, policy, and the social determinants of health. Behavioral health isn’t in a silo; stable housing, affordable health care, food insecurity, and access to stable and well-paying jobs all impact a person’s recovery and resilience.

“Monday’s event is an important step forward in addressing the mental and behavioral health needs of Delawareans,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.). “I am proud of the bipartisan legislation I co-authored last year that helps bring mental health resources into our schools, which builds upon the work we are doing right here in the state. This is an all-hands-on-deck effort to ensure the mental health care needs of all Delawareans are met with accessibility and compassion.”

“The mental health challenges being faced by our nation – the overdose epidemic, the high rates of suicide, the prevalence of depression and anxiety among people, especially young people – are significant,” said Tom Coderre, acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). “As this crucial summit gets under way, know that the Biden-Harris Administration is prioritizing approaches to safeguard the mental health of Americans, to connect people to the evidence-based treatments and supports they need to find recovery.”

To close the event, Lt. Governor Hall-Long led a special fireside chat with The Kennedy Forum founder and former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy around strategies to enhance behavioral and mental health support, covering insurance parity, wraparound treatment solutions and more.

“Lt. Governor Hall-Long continues to be a strong ally and champion for progress in our mental health and substance use systems. I was glad to join her on Monday, share updates on The Kennedy Forum’s work to ensure mental health is treated as essential health, and learn more about the Lt. Governor’s Behavioral Health Consortium as a national model for this work,” said former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) and Founder of The Kennedy Forum.

To get connected with the Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium and the Lt. Governor’s Office, email alexia.wolf@delaware.gov or visit the Lt. Governor’s website.


Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long to Convene Delaware’s First Mental and Behavioral Health Summit  

WILMINGTON, Del. – Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long will host Delaware’s first summit spotlighting the social and economic importance of mental and behavioral health in Delaware on Monday, June 12. The 2023 Mental and Behavioral Health Summit: Pathways and Partnerships for a Stronger Delaware will bring together a variety of stakeholders including local and national thought leaders, community advocates, and government officials.  

As Delaware emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and looks to the future, there is no better time to strategize, collaborate, and take a deep dive into the current state of mental and behavioral health. Recent data from the World Health Organization shows a 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression in the year following the start of the pandemic, and one in five children will experience a mental disorder this year, according to the CDC. 

Featured panel discussions will highlight mental and behavioral health data, Delaware’s legislative and policy response to the behavioral health crisis, frontline work led by Delaware community advocates, and more. The Summit will close with a fireside chat with Lt. Governor Hall-Long and The Kennedy Forum founder and former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy around strategies to enhance behavioral and mental health support – from insurance parity to holistic treatment solutions.

Members of the public are welcome to register for the 2023 Mental and Behavioral Health Summit: Pathways and Partnerships for a Stronger Delaware at this Google Docs link

NOTE TO MEDIA: Reporters should RSVP to Jen Rini (jennifer.rini@delaware.gov) to attend the Summit. 

 2023 MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUMMIT: PATHWAYS FOR A STRONGER DELAWARE: MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023 

WHAT:          Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long will host Delaware’s first summit spotlighting the social and economic importance of mental and behavioral health in Delaware on Monday, June 12. The 2023 Mental and Behavioral Health Summit: Pathways and Partnerships for a Stronger Delaware will bring together a variety of stakeholders including local and national thought leaders, community advocates, and government officials.  

WHO:             Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, U.S. Senator Tom Carper, Former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy, Members of the General Assembly, Local and National Health Experts, Community Advocates

WHEN:          Monday, June 12, 2023, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

WHERE:       Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison St., Wilmington, DE 19801 

 

Additional Information on the Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium

 The Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium has been recognized as a national model. The consortium brings together community advocates, law enforcement, healthcare professionals and state leaders to address this crisis and help impacted Delawareans and their families. The group coordinates listening sessions, works to reduce the stigma, ensures adequate resources, enhances data and policy, and more. Learn more on the Lt. Governor’s website.

 

Additional Panel Information

2023 Mental and Behavioral Health Summit: Pathways and Partnerships for a Stronger Delaware 

The Honorable Bethany Hall-Long  

Delaware Lt. Governor and Summit Convenor 

Goal: Led by Delaware Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, the summit is intended to convene local, state, regional, and national thought leaders, community advocates, government officials, business and labor leaders dedicated to elevating the social and economic importance of mental and behavioral health in Delaware. 

9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.: Welcome and Opening Remarks: Alexia Wolf, Director, Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium 

9:05 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.: “What’s at Stake”: Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, Summit Convenor  

9:15 a.m. – 9:20 am: The Honorable U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) 

9:25 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.: Panel 1: Facts & Figures: Mental and Behavioral Health Data 

Overview: A discussion centered on data and research provided by local and national academic and mental health professionals. 

10:20 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Panel 2: Delaware United: How are DE State Agencies and Legislature Responding to Mental and Behavioral Health Crisis 

Overview: A discussion specifically related to policies and legislative actions taken in recent years by the Delaware legislature.  

Featured Speaker over Lunch: 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Tom Coderre, SAMSHA Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary will share his expertise and vision with the audience.  

12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m.: Panel 3: Joining Forces: How Labor and Business Leaders Can Work Together 

Overview: A discussion on labor and business leaders’ workforce challenges relating to the state’s mental and behavioral health crisis and how the two constituencies can collaborate with the government to find a solution. 

1:00 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.: Panel 4: On The Front Lines: The Voices of Community Leaders and Health Care Professionals 

Overview: A discussion highlighting the hard work and bravery of dedicated Delaware residents to improve mental and behavioral health in the state. 

2:05 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.: Armchair Discussion – The Path Forward: Highlighting Strategies to Enhance Behavioral and Mental Health Support in Delaware and Beyond 

Overview: A one-on-one discussion on parity, integrations between behavioral health and substance abuse, prevention and treatment solutions, and innovative technology solutions, creating strategic ways to address current issues and pave a new way forward.  

Participants: Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and the Honorable Former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy 

2:35 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.: Closing Remarks