Nominations accepted through April 21, 2023

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday announced that the nomination process is now open for the 2023 Compassionate Champion Awards. The Compassionate Champion Awards recognize individuals, organizations, and educational institutions across the State of Delaware that provide trauma-informed services in a manner consistent with the Delaware Developmental Framework for Trauma-Informed Care.

Nominations can be submitted on the Governor’s website through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023. Award winners and details for the recognition ceremony will be announced at a later date.

Click here to view the nomination form in English.

Click here to view the nomination form in Spanish.

The Compassionate Champion Award highlights individuals or teams in government, non-profit and private organizations, first responder professions, educational institutions, healthcare professionals, and other agencies that have taken steps toward providing services in a manner consistent with trauma-informed care. 

The award categories include:

• Government – Agency, division, team, workgroup, or individuals of State of Delaware, county, or municipal governmental agencies/organizations.
• Community Organizations – Non-profit or for-profit organizations providing support services to individuals, families, and communities. For example, this category includes faith-based organizations, organizations serving individuals with disabilities, homeless services, veteran services, elderly, and crisis intervention.
• First Responders – Organizations such as fire, law enforcement, Victim Services and EMT.
• Education (P-20) – Universities, colleges, school districts, schools, early childhood centers, daycare centers, and other educational institutions.
• Health Care – Includes agencies, providers, hospitals, or individuals providing trauma-informed care to service recipients.
• Other – Organizations that may not fit within the categories above.

Any individual, community partner, first responder, educational institution, state agency or other organization providing services to Delaware’s citizens within the State of Delaware is eligible for nomination. Applicants may nominate themselves or another individual or organization.

In 2018, the Family Services Cabinet Council implemented Executive Order #24, which launched efforts to make Delaware a trauma-informed state. As part of this initiative, Delaware is committed to ensuring all environments that serve children and adults in the state are working to embody practices of trauma-informed care. 

Based on the Delaware Developmental Framework for Trauma-Informed Care, trauma-informed care includes:

• Creating respectful, sensitive, and culturally competent environments;
• Implementing evidence-based trauma-informed principles and practices that address the effects associated with trauma;
• Developing a common language and framework for dialogue and discussion to enhance communication and progress along the continuum of trauma-informed care; and
• Increasing the effectiveness and responsiveness of all services and assistance provided to Delawareans, especially children and adults who have experienced traumatic circumstances.

View the nomination form in English.

View the nomination form in Spanish.

Questions about the 2023 Compassionate Champion Award can be directed to fscc@delaware.gov.

View the 2022 Compassionate Champion Award winners.

Watch the 2022 Compassionate Champion Award Ceremony.

Award Ceremony to be Held June 14

Subtítulos en español.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney on Tuesday announced the 2022 Compassionate Champion Awardees. The Compassionate Champion Awards recognize individuals, organizations, and educational institutions across the State of Delaware that provide trauma-informed services in a manner consistent with the Delaware Developmental Framework for Trauma-Informed Care.  

“From students to families to workers, we’ve all been impacted by the pandemic in some way, and we must continue to address the impact of this trauma,” said Governor Carney. “That’s why we are recognizing the important work of those who continue to serve their neighbors through a trauma-informed approach so that we can continue to heal. I am impressed by all of the applicants and congratulations to the awardees for their incredible work taking place across the First State.”

The Compassionate Champion Award highlights individuals or teams in government, non-profit and private organizations, first responder professions, educational institutions, healthcare professionals, and other agencies that have taken steps toward providing services in a manner consistent with trauma-informed care. 

The 2022 awardees include:

• Government – Dr. Teri Lawler of the Delaware Department of Education for Project Thrive
• Community Organizations – Arreon Harley-Emerson for the Choir School of Delaware
• First Responders – Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit
• Education (P-20) – Capital School District
• Health Care – Beebe Healthcare’s Trauma-Informed Committee led by Dr. David Tam
• Health Care (Individual) – Natasha Mullen of Milestones Consultants

In 2018, the Family Services Cabinet Council implemented Executive Order #24, which launched efforts to make Delaware a trauma-informed state. As part of this initiative, Delaware is committed to ensuring all environments that serve children and adults in the state are working to embody practices of trauma-informed care. 

Based on the Delaware Developmental Framework for Trauma-Informed Care, trauma-informed care includes:

• Creating respectful, sensitive, and culturally competent environments;
• Implementing evidence-based trauma-informed principles and practices that address the effects associated with trauma;
• Developing a common language and framework for dialogue and discussion to enhance communication and progress along the continuum of trauma-informed care; and
• Increasing the effectiveness and responsiveness of all services and assistance provided to Delawareans, especially children and adults who have experienced traumatic circumstances.

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Nomination forms accepted through April 29

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced the 2022 Compassionate Champion Awards nomination form is now available. The Compassionate Champion Awards recognize individuals, organizations, and educational institutions across the State of Delaware that provide trauma-informed services in a manner consistent with the Delaware Developmental Framework for Trauma-Informed Care.  

The nomination period closes at 5:00 p.m. on April 29, 2022. Winners and a recognition event will be announced at a later date.

Click here to access the nomination form.

“From students to families to workers, we’ve all been impacted by the pandemic in some way, and we must continue to address the impact of this trauma,” said Governor Carney. “That’s why we are recognizing the important work of those who continue to serve their neighbors through a trauma-informed approach so that we can continue to heal. I encourage Delawareans and organizations to submit nomination forms, and I look forward to recognizing the incredible work taking place across Delaware.”

The Compassionate Champion Award highlights individuals or teams in government, non-profit and private organizations, first responder professions, educational institutions, healthcare professionals, and other agencies that have taken steps toward providing services in a manner consistent with trauma-informed care. 

The award categories include:

• Government – Agency, division, team, workgroup, or individuals of State of Delaware, county, or municipal governmental agencies/organizations.
• Community Organizations – Non-profit or for-profit organizations providing support services to individuals, families, and communities. For example, this category includes faith-based organizations, organizations serving individuals with disabilities, homeless services, veteran services, elderly, and crisis intervention.
• First Responders – Organizations such as fire, law enforcement, Victim Services and EMT.
• Education (P-20) – Universities, colleges, school districts, schools, early childhood centers, daycare centers, and other educational institutions.
• Health Care – Includes agencies, providers, hospitals, or individuals providing trauma-informed care to service recipients.
• Other – Organizations that may not fit within the categories above.

Any individual, community partner, first responder, educational institution, state agency or other organization providing services to Delaware’s citizens within the State of Delaware is eligible for nomination. Applicants may nominate themselves or another individual or organization. 

Click here to nominate yourself, an individual, or an organization by April 29 at 5:00 p.m.

In 2018, the Family Services Cabinet Council implemented Executive Order #24, which launched efforts to make Delaware a trauma-informed state. As part of this initiative, Delaware is committed to ensuring all environments that serve children and adults in the state are working to embody practices of trauma-informed care. 

Based on the Delaware Developmental Framework for Trauma-Informed Care, trauma-informed care includes:

• Creating respectful, sensitive, and culturally competent environments;
• Implementing evidence-based trauma-informed principles and practices that address the effects associated with trauma;
• Developing a common language and framework for dialogue and discussion to enhance communication and progress along the continuum of trauma-informed care; and
• Increasing the effectiveness and responsiveness of all services and assistance provided to Delawareans, especially children and adults who have experienced traumatic circumstances.

Click here for the list of 2021 Compassionate Champion Award winners.

Watch the 2021 Compassionate Champion Awards Ceremony.

Questions about the 2022 Compassionate Champion Award can be directed to fscc@delaware.gov.

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Individuals and organizations recognized for their dedication to trauma-informed care.

WILMINGTON, Del. –  Governor John Carney and First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney on Wednesday announced eight recipients of the Compassionate Champion Awards, the state’s recognition program for organizations and individuals in Delaware providing exemplary trauma-informed care. Each 2021 award winner falls within a distinct category –  education, first responder, healthcare, community organization and government – and represent those who go above and beyond in providing compassionate care.

“Across the state of Delaware, we have organizations and individuals who have made the commitment to serve their communities using trauma-informed approaches,” said Governor Carney. “This year, more than ever, it has been crucial to serve with compassion and an understanding of trauma and its effects. Our Compassionate Champion Award recipients have gone above and beyond to make Delaware and its citizens stronger, healthier, and more compassionate. We thank them for all they do for the community.”

“In the past year, we’ve seen the impacts of trauma perhaps more clearly, more publicly, than ever before. And, thanks to our Compassionate Champion Award recipients and many others in our state, we’ve also seen the impact and promise of how we can support each other,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney. “These organizations and individuals have answered the challenge of the past year-plus to support and strengthen communities throughout Delaware. We’ve seen that trauma and challenge are not destiny; that we have the tools to build a better future, and that together, we can do just that.”

2021 Compassionate Champion Award Recipients:

Education:  Sarah Pyle Academy

First Responder:  New Castle County Division of Police, Hero Help Behavioral Health Unit

Healthcare:  ChristianaCare, special recognition to Dr. Stacey Boyer, PsyD and Megan O’Hara, LCSW

Community Organization:  Children & Families First Trauma Response Team

Government:  Erin Connelly, Victim Services Coordinator, Delaware Department of Correction

Due to the extraordinary nominees this year in the education and first responder categories, we are proud to recognize the Compassionate Champion Award First Runners Up:

Education 1st Runner Up: The Bancroft School

Education 1st Runner Up:  Evan G. Shortlidge Academy

First Responder 1st Runner Up: Melissa Pennachi, Newark Police Department

To celebrate the award recipients, a virtual celebration event will take place on Thursday, June 3 at 6:00 p.m. The event can be viewed on the Governor’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Since 2018, the Family Services Cabinet Council has worked to implement Executive Order #24, which launched efforts to make Delaware a trauma-informed state. The Family Services Cabinet Council is a cabinet-level group reestablished by Governor Carney in February 2017 to coordinate public and private services for Delaware families.

For more information on the Compassionate Champion Awards, visit de.gov/cca. To learn more about Trauma Awareness Month, visit  traumamattersdelaware.org.

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This year marks the third annual series of events recognizing efforts across the State of Delaware

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday announced May 2021 as the third annual Trauma Awareness Month to recognize efforts of trauma-informed practices across the State of Delaware. This year, Trauma Awareness Month includes a series of educational webinars and recognition of the Compassionate Champion Awards recipients. Trauma Awareness Month is co-sponsored by the Family Services Cabinet Council (FSCC) and Trauma Matters Delaware (TMD).

“The first two years of Trauma Awareness Month showed us how much important work is taking place across Delaware,” said Governor Carney. “Last year highlighted how our trauma-informed community stepped up to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate the work of Trauma Matters Delaware and the many organizations, state agencies, and individuals who are creating a more trauma-informed state. We look forward to recognizing their work again this May.”

In the past two years of Trauma Awareness Month, the FSCC has hosted several events and learning opportunities and presented Compassionate Champion Awards, the state’s recognition program for individuals or organizations that have taken steps toward providing services in a manner consistent with trauma-informed care. This year’s events expand learning opportunities and resource sharing to promote the importance of trauma-informed care and adoption of trauma-informed practices across the State of Delaware.

“This past year has demonstrated the many faces of trauma and how compassion and trauma-informed assistance from others can make all the difference in healing,” said Leslie Brower, President, TMD Board of Directors. “TMD’s Board of Directors is pleased to co-sponsor this month’s activities including recognition of all the people and organizations helping make Delaware a place where people can feel safe and thrive.”

The Family Services Cabinet Council and TMD are co-sponsoring and highlighting a variety of virtual events throughout May:

• May 1, 2021 – Pursuing Emotional Resilience Conference – Virtual conference featuring guest speakers First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Delaware’s First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney. This conference is presented by the Delaware State Education Association, the Delaware Department of Education, and the United Way of Delaware.
• May 5, 2021 – The State of the Trauma-Informed State Panel – public webinar
• May 12, 2021 –  “Portraits of Professional CAREgivers: Their Passion, Their Pain” – 2:00 p.m. movie screening | 5:00 p.m. moving screening
• May 19, 2021 – “Blueprint for Trauma-Informed Higher Education” – public webinar
• May 26, 2021 – “Towards a Community of Healing” – public webinar

The FSCC and TMD are also encouraging Delaware’s community organizations to add their own Trauma Awareness Month events to the TMD event calendar. To have events published on TMD’s Trauma Awareness Month page, please complete this form.

Click to view more events from community partners.

For the third year, the State of Delaware will present the Compassionate Champion Awards. These awards recognize individuals and organizations across the state of Delaware that provide trauma-informed services in the following categories: community partner, education, family/caregiver, government, health care, first responder, and other. The nomination period closed on April 15, 2021, and winners will be announced during Trauma Awareness Month.

On October 17, 2018, Governor John Carney signed Executive Order 24 to make Delaware a trauma-informed state and to address the impact of trauma at different points in a person’s life. The Executive Order also charged the FSCC with promoting May as “Trauma Awareness Month,” and publicizing events throughout the state.

For more information about Trauma Awareness Month events and registration, visit traumamattersdelaware.org/trauma-awareness-month. If you have any questions, please contact FSCC@delaware.gov.

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