Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long Signs Proclamation Marking Gun Violence Awareness Week

WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long joined state officials and community leaders to sign a proclamation marking the first full week of June as Gun Violence Awareness Week in Delaware.

As school wraps up for the year, it’s important to increase public awareness for children and caregivers around the safe storage of firearms. National data shows that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. Monday’s event was a call-to-action for awareness and safety.

“Gun violence is a public health crisis, full stop. Far too many Delaware families wake up grieving the loss of a loved one and it’s on all of us to take a stand for safer communities,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “As we recognize Gun Violence Awareness Week this June, I encourage everyone to take actions to protect our children, practice responsibility, and advocate for common-sense safety measures.”

“There is nothing more important than keeping our community safe,” said Governor John Carney. “We haven’t waited to do what’s right in Delaware around gun safety. We’ve banned assault weapons, limited high-capacity magazine, and strengthened background checks. But there’s more work to be done, especially at the community level. The Family Services Cabinet Council and the Delaware Community Gun Violence Reduction Project have been working across the state to create a shared approach on gun violence intervention and amplify the great work happening in our communities. This targeted outreach is critical to addressing gun violence.”

Research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) cites that an estimated 4.6 million U.S. children live in homes with at least one loaded and unlocked gun. Delaware law currently requires the safe storage of firearms, which is a best practice to help to protect both adults and children from dire consequences.

“Delaware is making real progress against gun violence — both in our legislature and in our neighborhoods, where we’ve reduced shootings by 30% — and we owe that to the tireless work of advocates and legislators who have defied the gun lobby. But we still have work to do: guns remain the leading cause of death for children, the weapon of choice for homicide, and the leading method of suicide in our country. Much of our work needs to happen in the legislature, including through the passage of a handgun training and licensing law — but it also needs to happen at home,” said Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “Owning a gun is a responsibility; responsible gun owners keep their children and their communities safe by properly storing their firearms. I’m grateful to our Lieutenant Governor and to countless advocates who are promoting safe storage, and I continue to stand with everyone working to reduce the deadly impact of gun violence on our state.”

Over the last five years, the First State has pursued comprehensive gun safety legislation. In 2022, Governor Carney signed a historic package of common-sense gun safety bills including measures to strengthen background checks and raise the age from 18 to 21 to purchase most firearms. One bill in consideration this legislative session is Senate Bill 2, which would require a permit and training to purchase a handgun.

“As we gather together to commemorate Gun Violence Awareness Week, we should take a moment to be proud of the accomplishments we’ve made to keep Delawareans safe from gun violence. This work is not easy, and our fight is not over. There’s still one big job left to do, and that is passing a permitting law. I remain deeply committed to the passage of Senate Bill 2, and we will not stop until this bill gets signed into law,” said Senate Majority Whip S. Elizabeth Lockman and Senate Bill 2 prime sponsor.

“It’s important for every Delawarean to understand how gun violence impacts all of us, in every community,” said Traci Murphy, Executive Director of the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence. “Bringing awareness to this public health crisis is just one step in the long journey to solving Delaware’s gun violence crisis.”

“I have a right and it’s not to remain silent. Gun violence is devastating, life-changing, and we need to continue to work together to address this epidemic. This Gun Violence Awareness Week we are coming together for our children, our communities, and our entire state,” said Shawn Flowers, a Community Activist. A survivor, Shawn tragically lost a child to gun violence in Wilmington and is committed to raising awareness.

Watch a livestream of today’s Gun Violence Awareness Week proclamation signing on the Lt. Governor’s Facebook page.

Lt. Governor Hall-Long Joins State Leaders, NFL Legends to Launch New Child ID Program in Delaware

The joint initiative with the National Child Identification Program will provide Delaware families and law enforcement with new tools to locate missing children

NEW CASTLE, DE– Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long joined NFL Hall of Famer Randy White, former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowler Jeremiah Trotter and state education and law enforcement leaders at the Garfield Park Police Athletic League on Wednesday to announce a new statewide initiative aimed at better identifying and locating missing children in Delaware.

The new partnership between the state of Delaware and the National Child Identification Program will provide 156,000 at-home child ID kits to Delaware families beginning this year. The ID kits will feature an inkless fingerprint solution, DNA storage, a place for medical/dental records, and a section to provide details about a child’s physical description. The kits are already being used in several states to give law enforcement critical information about a missing child.

On average, over 1,000 children are reported missing each day in the United States. In 2022, 58 children were reported missing in Delaware according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“When a child goes missing, every second counts,” said Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “These ID kits provide law enforcement with a new tool to locate missing children more quickly and provide Delaware families with the ability to be better prepared for the unimaginable. This partnership will help reunite families and save lives.”

“I can’t imagine the helplessness parents feel when their child is missing. But I do know that when it comes to protecting our children, no precaution or tool in our playbook is too small,” said House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, who also is executive director of the Police Athletic League of Delaware. “These ID kits will provide parents with all the critical, identifying information about their children at their fingertips should they go missing. Hopefully, they will never need them, but the kits will be invaluable in an emergency. I’m grateful that we’re able to provide this extra step of preparedness to Delaware families.”

The new initiative will feature public service announcements from sports legends, educational materials for students, and free ID kits for Delaware families.

“As a father and grandfather, few things are scarier than a missing child,” said Randy White, NFL Hall of Famer. “It is an honor to partner with Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long to protect the children in my home state of Delaware. Just as I was a defender on the field during my time with the Dallas Cowboys, Lieutenant Governor Hall-Long is a strong defender of Delaware’s children and families. This state is lucky to have her on their team,”

Many children who go missing each year end up in unsafe and often dangerous circumstances. It is estimated that about 30% of missing children are being trafficked across the United States.

“The safety of children in Delaware is paramount. When a child goes missing, every second counts. There is nothing more important than bringing them home. Having the Child ID Kit information available allows law enforcement and the community to focus on locating the child. These Child ID Kits are another tool to help keep them safe and allow parents to be proactive in our shared efforts to protect our children.” said Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Nathaniel McQueen, Jr.

The ID kits will be distributed to K-12 students through the Delaware Department of Education beginning May 24th, one day before the 40th annual National Missing Children’s Day. Parents will be notified about the kits before distribution begins.

“As a father and educator, I am grateful for this tool,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “When a child is missing, the speed at which we are able to respond is paramount. If families have these kits at home and prepared for an emergency, they will help law enforcement move as quickly as possible.”

The kits in Delaware were made possible thanks to the generous support of the United Auto Workers union and the Exelon Corporation in partnership with the National Child Identification Program.

“I am humbled by the dedication that Lieutenant Governor Hall-Long and Delaware’s state leaders have in serving the families of Delaware. It is a blessing to launch the Delaware Child Identification Program with her today and I look forward to providing this great gift of safety to all K-12 students this fall,” said Kenny Hansmire, Executive Director of the National Child Identification Program.

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Big Fish Foundation Donates Major Gift to Delaware Basic Needs Closets Program

The Big Fish Foundation Presented the Basic Needs Closets with a $30,000 Donation

Rehoboth Beach, Del. – Last week, Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long joined Big Fish Foundation Executive Director, Laura Sugrue, at Big Fish Grill in Rehoboth Beach to accept a $30,000 donation check that will benefit the Delaware Basic Needs Closets. The Big Fish Foundation has been one of the lead sponsors of the program since it started in 2017.

“I am thankful that the Big Fish Foundation continues to be a critical supporter of the Basic Needs Closets,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “This program really makes a difference in the lives of children across the state. Children cannot be expected to thrive in school if they must worry about having things like clean clothes and proper school supplies. This program is a great example of public-private partnerships helping to uplift of youth.”

“We are so excited to be able to support children in our community by donating to the Basic Needs Closet,” said Big Fish Foundation Executive Director Laura Sugrue. “When children’s basic needs are met, they’re able to enjoy being a child while having the ability to learn and develop to their full potential. We look forward to continuing to find new ways to support and expand the program. We would like to thank all our sponsors and volunteers. Their continued support allows us to impact children’s lives in our community.”

Delaware’s Basic Needs Closets provide elementary and middle school students across the state with increased access to free products designed to meet students’ needs so they can effectively participate in class. Each school’s basic needs closet will be stocked with products identified by districts and charter schools as essential to the wellbeing of their students, including hygiene products, school supplies, clothes, and more. Students will be able to discreetly access the closets throughout the school year, meeting students’ basic needs with dignity, so they can be ready to learn in class.

The basic needs closets are a result of the coordinated efforts of Delaware educators, Delaware businesses, Delaware healthcare institutions, and a partnership with First Book.

Lt. Gov. Hall-Long Joins Advocates, Lawmakers in Calling to Make Early Childhood Education More Affordable, Accessible

Panelists stress the need to help “the workforce behind Delaware’s workforce”

DOVER, Del. – Today Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long joined lawmakers, early childhood education providers, parents and advocates to kickoff a panel discussion about the future of early childhood education in the First State. The Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (DEAEYC) sponsored the advocacy day amid a national child care crisis that affects roughly 3 in 4 parents.

“Ninety percent of brain development happens from birth to five, so we have 1,825 days to get this right for our kids,” said Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, who co-chairs the Early Childhood Education Advisory Committee. “As a mom of a son with reading, writing and math disabilities, if I didn’t have my son in early education when he was young, he wouldn’t be the person he is today. This isn’t just a priority for our children, but a priority for Delaware’s workforce. That’s why Governor Carney and I are committed to making early childhood education affordable and accessible to every family in Delaware.”

“In our town halls, we had businesses, parents, and providers, and they all said the same thing,” said Senator Kyle Evans Gay, referencing a series of town halls she’s hosted across the state around early childhood education. “We need to highlight the business community’s voice, who have been saying ‘this is good business for Delaware.’ If you need good roads to keep the economy strong, we also need child care to keep people working. There are more jobs than people to fill them, and part of that is because women are leaving the workforce because they have no other care option for their kids. This is an investment that affects all of us.”

“For our state to position itself for success, we need to make Delaware a more attractive place for families and young children,” said Senator Sarah McBride. “From an economic justice perspective, there is no issue more central to women’s economic justice than this issue. We have been focused on a cradle through career support system that puts an emphasis on attracting more talent to our state. We worked last year to pass paid family and medical leave. The next pillar is ensuring that every Delaware family is able to access affordable childcare and early education.”

According to a recent report from Rodel, one of the event’s co-sponsors, 81% of Delaware caregivers and parents said child care expenses hold back their family from improving their situation. The same report found that 71% of Delaware caregivers and parents looked at multiple providers to send their children to, and of those, 37% were waitlisted and 21% were flat-out rejected services.

“The reason we’re seeing waitlists is because we can’t pay centers to pay people. This is a workforce issue,” said Madeleine Bayard, Chair of the Delaware Early Childhood Council, who moderated the panel. Dr. Dannae Sewell, ECIC Early Childhood Initiatives Officer at Delaware State University added her perspective as an advocate and early childhood educator, “You need the people to do the work. Through my experience teaching in the classroom and as a parent, I got into the field because I needed to take my son with me. I could not afford to work places that wouldn’t let me bring my kid. I’m serving children and families, but I cannot afford to bring my kid there.”

In January, the Early Childhood Education Advisory Committee released its final report, which included four key recommendations:

Promote collaboration and coordination through an aligned governance structure.
Increase program access, particularly for marginalized communities.
Prioritize meaningful investments in early childhood.
Support and uplift the early childhood workforce.

Governor Carney announced in the State of the State address and the Governor’s FY 24 Recommended Budget that Delaware will continue to make child care policies and investments a priority.

The State will be taking the following actions to support, enhance, and expand child care quality and access this year:

Invest over $10 million to increase Purchase of Care rates to 100% of the 75th percentile of the 2021 market rate, to better support programs and children in need.
Pursue a policy change to expand applicant eligibility for Purchase of Care to 200% of the poverty level, to reach more children.
Double funding going to the Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP) to $12.2 million, to serve more 3- and 4-year-olds, and provide programs with more resources.
Allocate funding for House Bill 33, to lower preschool special education student-teacher ratios.

Additionally, Delaware won an $8 million federal Preschool Development Grant, which will help the state be innovative in strengthening its early childhood infrastructure. For more information on Delaware’s grant, please visit the Delaware Department of Education’s website.

“Early education is the workforce behind the workforce. Without childcare, Delaware doesn’t work,” said Jamie Schneider, Executive Director of the Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (DEAEYC) “Early childhood educators are resilient and determined to continue to provide care.”

A full livestream of the event is available here.

Lt. Governor Hall-Long Announces Support for Senate Bill 2 Gun Safety Legislation

Permit to purchase law aims to reduce gun suicides and community violence, making Delaware families and communities safer

DOVER, Del.  – Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long has announced her support for Senate Bill 2, which would add Delaware to the growing number of states that require a permit and training to purchase a handgun. The bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman and House Majority Whip Melissa Minor-Brown, passed favorably out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Hall-Long released the following statement:

“Today, Delaware took a crucial step forward to prevent gun violence in our communities and protect our kids and families,” said Delaware Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “The impacts of gun violence are far-reaching and deeply personal, touching every corner of our state. As a health professional and a mom, I’ve spoken to Delawareans who have shared their fears, their grief, and their hopes for a safer future. Last year, Governor Carney and the General Assembly took necessary action to pass common-sense gun safety laws that will make our communities safer. Permit to purchase is a continuation of that mission, ensuring we do more to prevent gun suicides and community violence in our state. I applaud the Senate Judiciary Committee for advancing Senate Bill 2.”

A full copy of the legislation is available here.