DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday issued the following statement on the Delaware Senate’s confirmation of Cerron Cade to serve as Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor:

“Cerron has the knowledge and experience necessary to take on this important role, and I want to thank members of the Delaware Senate for their vote of confidence in confirming his nomination. The Department of Labor’s work connecting Delawareans with job training and workforce development programs has never been more important. Cerron understands the needs of Delaware businesses from his time at the Delaware’s Small Business Division and, before that, at the Delaware Economic Development Office. Cerron has a proven ability to lead, and I’m confident that his experience will serve Delaware taxpayers and workers well.”

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Governor Carney nominated Cerron Cade as Secretary of Labor earlier this month.

Last year, as Acting Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), Cade managed the dissolution of DEDO and the creation of the new Division of Small Business, Development, and Tourism within the Delaware Department of State. Currently, he serves as the Division’s Director, leading a team responsible for providing key services to Delaware businesses, administration of the Delaware Strategic Fund, and marketing Delaware as a premier tourist destination.

During his time at DEDO and the newly-created division, Cade has led the state’s efforts to attract businesses and good-paying jobs to Delaware, keep them here, and ensure that Delaware remains a leading state for businesses to grow and thrive. If confirmed by members of the Delaware Senate, he will bring that experience to the Department of Labor, where he will lead state efforts to connect Delaware businesses with talented workers, and develop relevant workforce development and training programs.

Cade grew up in Washington D.C. and moved to Delaware to study Political Science and Law Studies at Delaware State University. Driven by a desire to make a positive impact and following his passion for public service, Cade has worked as a Legislative Aide for the Delaware State House of Representatives, New Castle County Deputy County Director for U.S. Senator Tom Carper and State Projects Director for then-Congressman John Carney.

Cade joined Governor Jack Markell’s staff as Legislative Liaison in 2015. Last summer, Governor Carney appointed Cade to serve as DEDO’s Acting Director to lead the office’s transition, where he previously served as Deputy Director.

Cade lives in Wilmington with his wife, Kasmira, and two daughters, Jonnie and Toni.

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Cade currently serves as Delaware’s Director of Small Business, Development, and Tourism

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced his nomination of Cerron Cade – Director of the Delaware Division of Small Business, Development, and Tourism – to serve as the next Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor.

Cade’s nomination must be approved by the Delaware Senate.

As Labor Secretary, Cade would lead a 420-employee department that oversees workforce development and training programs for the State of Delaware, unemployment insurance programs, labor law enforcement, and economic forecasting for the state.

“Cerron has a proven ability to lead, and the knowledge and experience necessary to take on this important role,” said Governor Carney. “The Department of Labor’s work connecting Delawareans with relevant job training and workforce development programs has never been more important. Cerron understands the needs of Delaware businesses from his time at the Small Business Division and, before that, at the Delaware Economic Development Office. I’m confident that Cerron’s experience will serve Delaware and Delaware workers well. I look forward to the Delaware Senate considering his nomination.”

Last year, as Acting Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), Cade managed the dissolution of DEDO and the creation of the new Division of Small Business, Development, and Tourism within the Delaware Department of State. Currently, he serves as the Division’s Director, leading a team responsible for providing key services to Delaware businesses, administration of the Delaware Strategic Fund, and marketing Delaware as a premier tourist destination.

During his time at DEDO and the newly-created division, Cade has led the state’s efforts to attract businesses and good-paying jobs to Delaware, keep them here, and ensure that Delaware remains a leading state for businesses to grow and thrive. If confirmed by members of the Delaware Senate, he will bring that experience to the Department of Labor, where he will lead state efforts to connect Delaware businesses with talented workers, and develop relevant workforce development and training programs.

“I am honored to be nominated by Governor Carney to lead the Department of Labor,” said Cade. “Connecting Delaware businesses with skilled employees has been a large part of my focus as DEDO has transitioned into the new Division. If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to using that experience to help the state’s workforce thrive in this changing economy.”

Cade would replace Secretary Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, who will join Delaware State University as Dean of Graduate, Adult, and Continuing Studies next month. Gilliam-Johnson will leave office as Labor Secretary on February 2.

“Secretary Gilliam-Johnson has led the Department of Labor with distinction during a time where we have faced many challenges across state government and have been focused on the importance of building strong, inclusive environments where people feel valued and supported,” said Governor Carney. “I could not be more grateful for her service.”

Cade grew up in Washington D.C. and moved to Delaware to study Political Science and Law Studies at Delaware State University. Driven by a desire to make a positive impact and following his passion for public service, Cade has worked as a Legislative Aide for the Delaware State House of Representatives, New Castle County Deputy County Director for U.S. Senator Tom Carper and State Projects Director for then-Congressman John Carney.

Cade joined Governor Jack Markell’s staff as Legislative Liaison in 2015. Last summer, Governor Carney appointed Cade to serve as DEDO’s Acting Director to lead the office’s transition, where he previously served as Deputy Director.

Cade lives in Wilmington with his wife, Kasmira, and two daughters, Jonnie and Toni.

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DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday issued the following statement on the Delaware Senate’s confirmation of Saundra Ross Johnson to serve as Secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources:

“Thank you to the members of the Delaware Senate for confirming Saundra Ross Johnson as Secretary of the Department of Human Resources. Sandy has the right mix of experience, leadership skills, and thoughtfulness to oversee this Department, and make a real difference for state employees – and she has provided that guidance over the last several months. This Department will tackle issues important to our employees, and will help us operate more efficiently across state agencies. I’m confident that Sandy is the right person for the job to focus attention and resources on state government’s most important asset – our employees.”

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Governor Carney appointed Saundra Ross Johnson as Acting Secretary of the Department in July.

Since 2009, Johnson has been the Executive Director of the City of Camden Redevelopment Agency, working as a member of a mayoral executive team with responsibility for housing, commercial and institutional revitalization in Camden, N.J.

From 2000-2009, Johnson served as a member of then-Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s Cabinet as Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. As Director, Johnson was responsible for more than 100 employees and the operation of mortgage finance programs, public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, the administration of federal housing tax credits, and other housing development programs. She oversaw a more than $10 million operating budget, a $100 million housing trust fund portfolio, and a $2 billion bond portfolio.

Previously she was Executive Director for Interfaith Housing, Delaware’s largest statewide housing redeveloper, and worked as Director of New Castle County’s Department of Community Development and Housing.

The Department of Human Resources was created by House Bill 4, to help confront issues important to state employees and improve the delivery of human resources services. The agency’s priorities will include promoting diversity and inclusion across state government, and working with the Department of Correction to address the state’s shortage of correctional officers.

Creating a new Human Resources Department was a recommendation of Governor Carney’s Action Plan For Delaware.

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Grant will help Delaware support high-risk youth and families in Wilmington, and bolster work of Family Services Cabinet Council

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Wednesday that Delaware has received an 18-month training and technical assistance grant from the University of Pennsylvania’s Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP) Integrated Data System Learning Community to help develop an integrated data system across state agencies.

The system will help Delaware coordinate services and support young people and families in Wilmington who are at high risk of violence, and bolster the ongoing work of the Family Services Cabinet Council. Delaware was among six county and state governments to receive the technical assistance grant.

“We re-established the Family Services Cabinet Council to make sure that state agencies are working together more effectively, coordinating services on behalf of Delaware families we serve, and delivering results,” said Governor Carney. “The Council is helping confront some of our most challenging issues – including ways to break the school-to-prison pipeline, expand job training, and reduce crime in our neighborhoods. An integrated data system will help us more effectively target our resources, and reach the kids and families who need our help the most.”

“We are excited to be awarded this technical assistance grant from UPenn’s Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy,” said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, and a board-certified family physician. “This is the technical expertise we need to help make an integrated data system a reality in Delaware, and to help us support the young people in Wilmington who are at high risk for street violence and their families. Being able to see the full picture of the services that young people and their families are receiving and their interactions with the system will help us develop interventions that are coordinated and appropriate for each family.”

Delaware’s Department of Health and Social Services will join other state agencies in working with the AISP Learning Community to plan for the implementation of an integrated data system that will establish linkages across multiple stand-alone government data systems. The technical assistance, which will begin in March 2018, will include in-person training, an online learning platform, and a full evaluation of the AISP program at the end of the 18 months. The training will cover governance of integrated data system, legal agreements, data integration and linking procedures, and identifying and carrying out research priorities.

The Data Working Group of the Family Services Cabinet Council, chaired by Secretary Walker, is comprised the eight FSCC agencies including the Department of Technology and Information (DTI). The working group is engaged in the early stages of the development of an integrated data system, drafting necessary data sharing agreements, and creating a vision for the system. The data working group is carrying forward the recommendation of the CDC report on gun violence in Wilmington. The working group also is partnering with CompassRed, a Wilmington-based data and analytics company, to identify the data needed for analysis to provide actionable, data-driven information back to DHSS that can be used to provide the right services to the right families.

“The goal is to increase collaboration between state social service agencies by developing the capacity to link and share data between agencies,” said James Collins, Chief Information Officer for the State of Delaware. “This will enable predictive analytics to better reveal which families and individuals are most at risk and deliver relevant information to social service agencies so they can respond more quickly with appropriate resources.”

The other county and state governments awarded Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy technical assistance grants are Baltimore and Miami-Dade counties and the states of Georgia, North Carolina and Vermont.

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Related
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Governor Carney and Council members will hold meeting to discuss state service delivery in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. – At 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 13, Governor Carney will host a public discussion on Wilmington with the Family Services Cabinet Council.

Governor Carney signed Executive Order #5 in February, re-establishing the Family Services Cabinet Council to help coordinate critical services for families across Delaware – including workforce and job-related services, early childhood education programs, social service delivery, and programs to improve public safety. Next Monday’s meeting will include presentations by members of the Council. Stakeholders and members of the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the Council and offer ideas for improving state service delivery in Wilmington.

Governor Carney chairs the Family Services Cabinet Council, which includes eight members of his Cabinet.

Discussion on Wilmington with the Family Services Cabinet Council

This event is open to the press.

WHAT:          Governor John Carney will host a public discussion with the Family Services Cabinet Council at Delaware Technical Community College in Wilmington. The agenda will include presentations on data-sharing efforts among state agencies in Wilmington, state service coordination for low-income families, and a planned dual generation center to improve the delivery of job-related services, and services for Wilmington children.

The event is an opportunity for stakeholders and members of the public to provide feedback and ideas for improving the delivery of state services in Wilmington.

WHO:  Governor John Carney
Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary, Department of Health and Social Services
Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Secretary, Department of Labor
James Collins, Chief Information Officer, Department of Technology and Information
Josette Manning, Secretary, Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families
Dorrell Green, Director, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Department of Education
Other members of the Family Services Cabinet Council
Community members

WHEN:         Monday, November 13, 2017
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE:      Delaware Technical Community College, George Campus
300 N. Orange Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

Click here for the event flyer.
View and share the event on Facebook.

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