Child Passenger Safety Week September 14^th-20^th

Dover – It’s not always easy to know how to correctly secure children in car seats in all types of vehicles. Three out of 4 parents in Delaware do not install their child’s car seat properly. So Delaware and the rest of the nation recognize National Child Passenger Safety Week September 14-20 to promote the correct and consistent use of child safety seats. Children using incorrectly installed car seats face dramatically increased rates of death and injury in the event of a crash.

OHS and Bucklebear will be distributing important information in the community on child passenger safety including tip sheets, how to register your car seat, and where to find car seat fitting stations. Fitting stations are conveniently located statewide and staffed by certified child passenger safety technicians who will inspect the car seat for correct installation and show you how to properly position your child in the seat. Call for an appointment at one of these locations.

Wilmington                                             DMV Dover DMV                                                 DSP Troop 7
2230 Hessler Blvd                                 303 Transportation Cir.                                      18006 Coastal Hwy, Lewes
302.434.3234                                        302.744.2749                                                       302.744.2749
Tuesday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm                 Tuesday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm                               302.387.2324
Wednesday 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm           Wednesday 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm                         By appointment only
Thursday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

OHS is also offering other opportunities statewide for families to get their car seats checked for free at the following locations:

Friday Sept. 19, 2014 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Christiana Care Hospital- Maternity Department
4755 Ogletown-Stanton Rd, Newark
Open to the public, no appointment necessary

Saturday Sept. 20, 2014 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Dover DMV
303 Transportation Circle
302.744.2749
No appointment necessary

There are 4 steps for child safety as they grow; rear facing, forward facing, booster seat use, and seat belt use. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents to keep their children in rear facing car seats until the age of 2. Delaware law sets a minimum standard that gives parents flexibility to meet the new best practice recommendation set by the AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Delaware law simply requires a child to be “properly secured according to manufacturer’s instructions” in a child safety seat “that is appropriate for the child’s age/weight and height” up to age 8 or 65 lbs in weight, whichever comes first. Ages 8 – 16 must be secured in a seat belt.

OHS is encouraging parents to follow the wording in the NHTSA guidelines which were also updated to closely mirror the new recommendations by the AAP, but may be easier for parents to understand and follow. These guidelines recommend that parents keep their 1 – 3 year olds “rear facing as long as possible”, and focus more attention on obeying the manufactures weight and height limits on individual seats using age as a broad guide for rear facing vs. forward facing instead.

Parents who would like to learn more about the 4 steps for child safety and to find the times and dates of car seat check locations can visit OHS website at http://www.ohs.delaware.gov/carseat, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe, or Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.

Dover –The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) along with state and local law enforcement are reminding motorists and motorcyclists alike to See & Be Seen during Delmarva Bike Week.  From September 11^th to 15^th, law enforcement across the state will be patrolling high crash roadways ensuring that both motorists and motorcyclists are riding and driving safe and sharing the road.  Motorists are reminded to look twice for motorcyclists before pulling out from an intersection or cross roads and motorcyclists are reminded that they need to comply with the state’s motorcycle safety laws including having the proper motorcycle endorsement on their license.

Agencies participating in the increased enforcement include Bethany Beach PD, Dewey Beach PD, Dover PD, Fenwick Island PD, Georgetown PD, Lewes PD, Milford PD, Milton PD, New Castle County PD, Newark PD, Rehoboth Beach PD, and DSP.

To date Delaware has experienced 15 motorcycle fatalities compared to 14 at this time last year.

Tips for drivers on how to prevent a fatal crash with a motorcycle;

• Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, its operator still has all the rights of the road as any other motorist. Allow the motorcycle the full width of a lane at all times.
• Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful: motorcycle signals are often non-canceling and could have been forgotten. Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding.
• Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections.
• Always allow more following distance – three to four seconds – when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.

Motorcyclists can increase their safety by following these steps:

• Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear.
• Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed.
• Use hand and turn signals at every lane change or turn.
• Wear brightly colored clothes and reflective tape to increase visibility.
• Ride in the middle of the lane where you will be more visible to drivers.
• Never ride distracted or impaired.

For more information visit www.MotorcycleSafetyDE.org and follow regular campaign updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe and Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.

Press Contact: Christina M. Hardin-Dirksen Chief of Community Relations, DSHA Phone: (302) 739-4263 Email: Christina@destatehousing.com DELAWARE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY RELEASES DELAWARE HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT 2015-2020

Governor Jack Markell

September 8, 2014 (Dover) – Stakeholders, including government, nonprofit and for-profit partners and service providers, joined DSHA at Delaware Technical and Community College’s Terry Campus in Dover, Delaware to hear the key findings. Governor Jack Markell noted, “Housing is a critical part of our economy and our communities, and our homes and neighborhoods are also the center of family life. Affordable housing needs affect so many of the other outcomes we care about – in health, education, economic growth, land use, and downtown revitalization.”

DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi added, “While DSHA’s mission is affordable housing, it is inseparable from broader housing trends. We need to understand housing demand and the housing market as a whole in order to work within it to advance affordable housing and community development, which is exactly what this needs assessment and market value analysis help us do.”

DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi

Rebecca Rothenberg, Planning Manager at GCR Incorporated, which led the project team, stated, “This study illustrates the current housing climate in Delaware and the challenges many families face in finding quality housing that is affordable to them. Some of the bigger trends – including a drop in homeownership rates, an increased demand for rental housing, shrinking household sizes, and the needs of aging homeowners – reflect issues relevant today. It also discusses the persistent affordability challenges for low-income households, particularly the working poor and very low-income families, who have difficulty finding rental housing they can afford. Oftentimes, these families reside in distressed neighborhoods with high poverty rates.”

Affordable housing pressures have increased in recent years, with stresses on household incomes and increased demand for rental units both as a result of demographic changes and the foreclosure crisis. Statewide, 44,000 renters have housing challenges (paying more than 30% of their income for housing or living in overcrowded or deeply substandard living conditions), equal to 51% of renter households. Needs are most severe for those with very low incomes (50% of Area Median Income depending on location and household size; about $25,000/year), where 18,400 households are severely cost burdened, paying more than 50% of their income for housing costs.

Delaware has fared better than many of its neighbors in the recent recession and its economy remains strong for the region. Projected steady job growth will support household growth and subsequently new housing demand, although there remains some excess inventory in some areas. Home prices are also recovering, but slowly; on a positive note, this has made homeownership a more affordable option for many households who were priced out in the housing boom. The new construction market is responding to changing demand with smaller, more affordable units closer in to towns and cities.

Ira Goldstein, President of Policy Solutions at The Reinvestment Fund, which completed the Market Value Analysis section of the research, stated, “TRF is gratified to have contributed to Delaware State Housing Authority’s understanding of the needs of its housing markets. We look forward to the state using this analysis to make impactful, evidence-based decisions about its housing programs and resources.”

The Governor added, “Successful community development, neighborhood revitalization, and downtown development initiatives must recognize and work in concert with their local housing market. This research helps us all to better understand those forces in order to shape the most effective responses.”

To view the Delaware Housing Needs Assessment, visit: http://www.destatehousing.com/FormsAndInformation/needs.php

About the Delaware State Housing Authority The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it is also serves as a Public Housing Authority and acts as a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about the Delaware State Housing Authority, please call: (302) 739-4263 or visit our website at: www.destatehousing.com.

About The Reinvestment Fund (TRF) TRF is a national leader in rebuilding America’s distressed towns and cities and does this work through the innovative use of capital and information. TRF has made $1.3 billion in community investments since 1985. As a CDFI, TRF finances projects related to housing, community facilities, food access, commercial real estate, and energy efficiency. It also provides public-policy expertise by helping clients create practical solutions and by sharing data and analyses via www.PolicyMap.com. To learn more about TRF, visit trfund.com. Follow us on Twitter @trfund or Facebook at facebook.com/TRFund. To learn more about TRF, visit www.trfund.com.

About GCR GCR, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm with a focus on the aviation industry, has delivered solutions to airports for over 35 years. GCR’s staff uses an in-depth understanding of the aviation industry, coupled with technological expertise, to develop and implement comprehensive solutions that address operational complexities in airport and aviation organizations. GCR delivers consulting services and technology solutions in aviation, disaster assistance recovery, nuclear power, public safety, and urban planning. For more information, visit www.gcrincorporated.com.

(Dover, DE) – In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights a statewide effort to help ensure high school seniors have the assistance they need to continue their education or training beyond high school.

“This past week we started a tour of high schools across the state to speak with our senior classes – urging them to take advantage of future educational opportunities and letting them know they have our support,” said Governor Markell. “By supporting our students’ transition to education and training beyond high school, we’ll give them the best chance to reach their potential, and we’ll have the talented workforce we need to grow our state’s economy. That will keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube:http://youtu.be/aRElRewQghg
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of The Governor’s Weekly Message: Helping Students Transition to College or Career 

Includes additional activities for schools to prepare for emergencies

Dover, DE – Building on his 2013 pledge that all Delaware schools would have a “state-of-the-art school safety plan” by the end of 2014, Governor Markell today signed legislation that requires schools to have a comprehensive and up-to-date plan by this month.

House Bill 340 amends the Omnibus School Safety Act that Markell signed in 2012, which initially said schools and districts must, by September 2017, be in compliance with the Act’s provisions regarding preparation for potential emergency situations, ranging from armed intruders to natural disasters.

In his 2013 State of the State address, Markell said the initial five-year timetable in the Act was “a laudable goal, but we can do better.” Since then, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) has worked with districts to speed up their work and, currently, 78 percent of schools are ahead of schedule and have compliant plans.

“We have no more important obligation as a state than to ensure a safe environment in the places where our students learn,” said Markell, who signed the bill at Caesar Rodney School District’s W. Reily Brown Elementary School, where he was joined by state legislators along with school and district officials.

“This bill marks another important step in our never-ending process to ensure schools are as prepared as possible to protect their students and staff in any contingency. It has been impressive and gratifying to see the hard work by administrators and faculty throughout our state to make the two year timeframe possible and update all of their safety plans to the maximum extent.”

Plans must be thorough, coordinated with first responders, tailored to the layout and location of each facility, and compliant with the National Incident Management System, a framework for emergency response developed by the federal government that stresses collaboration with first responders.

“As a father with two boys who went to public school, there’s nothing more important than making sure they get a high-quality education in a safe and secure environment,” said the bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Darryl Scott, D-Dover. “This bill accelerates our efforts to ensure each and every school across the state has a school safety plan in place and that our teachers, administrators and emergency responders review and practice those plans regularly.”

In addition to completing the process of accelerating the development of school safety plans, HB 340 provides for school districts to conduct table top exercises annually and at least two lockdown/intruder drills per school year. They must submit verification of the exercises to DSHS.

“The Delaware public and charter school community have fully committed to providing their students with the most comprehensive and complete safety plans in the country,” said Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Lewis D. Schiliro. “The progress we’ve made is indeed a tribute to the dedication and perseverance of our teachers, administrators, school personnel and our public safety partners.  As a parent and grandparent, we should all be thankful for what they have accomplished.”

Tabletop exercises allow school officials to work through their plans to identify any possible gaps and make adjustments, and intruder drills allow school faculty, staff, and administrators, as well as students, to become more familiar with procedures and expectations so the response becomes second nature.

“We are pleased W. Reily Brown Elementary School was selected as the site for the signing of HB340,” said Caesar Rodney School District Superintendent Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald.  “We are fortunate that Governor Markell, the state legislature and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security have made the safety of our students their number one priority in Delaware.  We look forward to continuing our relationship with Homeland Security, local law enforcement agencies and fire companies to ensure all of our schools have up-to-date school safety plans and conduct exercises to validate our plans.”

Photos from the event