NEW CASTLE – The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Division of State Service Centers (DSSC) and State Office of Volunteerism (SOV) is excited to announce that nominations for the prestigious Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards and the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards (Adult Awards) are open.

Nominations for both awards will be accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism until Monday, Jan. 15. Nomination forms, along with detailed award criteria, are available at Volunteer Delaware.

Nominees will have shown an unwavering commitment to service and will have made a positive impact on their community or the state through their efforts in the calendar year 2023.

For the first time in recent years, DHSS, DSSC and SOV has introduced the Corporate Category, recognizing exemplary corporate volunteer efforts that have significantly contributed to community enhancement.

“Now more than ever, there’s an expectation for corporations to actively engage in community betterment and address social issues,” said Paul Calistro, Chair of the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service. “This new award category is a fantastic opportunity for the State of Delaware to shine a light on how companies are not only involving their employees and consumers but also strategically using their resources to make a significant impact on the causes they are passionate about.”

“Delaware is known for its sense of community and volunteer spirit,” said Governor John Carney. “These awards celebrate those champions who are making a difference across our state, and now, they also will recognize corporations committed to integrating corporate citizenship, social impact initiatives, civic engagement, and community involvement as part of their business operations.”

“We are looking for nominees who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving others and have positively impacted their community or the State of Delaware through their efforts in 2023,” said DHSS Cabinet Secretary Josette Manning. “Whether you know a remarkable young person (17 and under), an inspiring adult, or a business that’s making a difference, we invite you to nominate them for these prestigious awards.”

The honorees will be celebrated in a distinguished ceremony on April 4, 2024.

For detailed information about the awards, volunteer opportunities, and the nomination process, please visit volunteer.delaware.gov or reach out to Diane Frebert, Volunteer Services Administrator, at diane.frebert@delaware.gov.

Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Award, ages 17 and under, Nomination Link
Governor’s Outstanding (Adult, Corporate, Group) Volunteer Service Award, ages 18 and up, Nomination Link

The Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards and the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards are proudly sponsored by the Office of the Governor, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of State Service Centers, State Office of Volunteerism, and the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service.

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) will host a series of in-person town hall events to discuss ways to improve Delaware’s State Service Centers. The four events will take place in July across the state and will highlight the steps DHSS is taking to transform how they serve Delawareans and receive community feedback.

As part of its strategic plan to make access to services easier for Delawareans across the state, DHSS launched the State Service Reimagined project in 2022 to research, create, and implement improvements on how services are delivered within the agency’s State Service Centers. This effort is part of Governor Carney’s Family Services Cabinet Council (FSCC).

“We are committed to building a better experience for Delawareans who access our services,” said Daniel Walker, DHSS Deputy Cabinet Secretary. “In order to deliver quality services and improve our State Service Centers, it was necessary to involve our community and service users. Without their input, this project would have failed to deliver on our promise to reform the way we provide critical services.”

The Town Halls events will take place on the following dates:

July 13, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover
July 15, 2023,1:30 p.m., Route 9 Library & Innovation Center, 3022 New Castle Ave., New Castle
July 18, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Georgetown Public Library, 123 West Pine St., Georgetown
July 26, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Wilmington Public Library, 10 E. 10th St., Wilmington

These events are open to the public and registration is encouraged for planning purposes. To register, visit http://bit.ly/dhsstownhall.

The Dover Town Hall scheduled for July 13 will also be streamed live on Facebook @delawaredhss and at de.gov/live. Spanish translation and ASL interpreter services will also be available at each event. Each town hall will also include a resource fair in which representatives from DHSS will be on hand to assist individuals who have questions related to their benefits or who are seeking assistance.

To enhance services from the perspective of the clients, DHSS hosted community engagement sessions throughout Fall 2022. Sessions were held in locations across the state and included focus groups and interviews.

“Our 15 State Service Centers serve thousands of people every week, and are a critical resource to Delaware,” said Renee Beaman, Division of State Service Centers. “The findings of this initiative give us an actionable path forward, keeping our service users in mind every step of the way.”

For more information about the State Service Reimagined project, visit de.gov/community. Those with specific questions should email stateservicecommunity@delaware.gov.

NEW CASTLE, Del. (March 21, 2023) – Nominations for the 2023 Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards are being accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism now through Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The awards recognize the tireless efforts of young Delaware volunteers aged 17 and younger. Award recipients will be honored at a ceremony June 21, 2023, at Modern Maturity Center in Dover.

“I admire the passion and determination young people across the state bring to their volunteer projects. They bring a fresh viewpoint and a willingness to serve their communities,” said Governor John Carney. “I encourage Delawareans to take the time to nominate a young volunteer who is making a difference in the lives of others.”

Recipients of the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards must exemplify the following characteristics:

• Demonstrate sustained volunteer commitment to meeting Delaware’s most pressing human and/or environmental needs
• Engage in meaningful volunteer service that makes a measurable difference in the community
• Represent extraordinary acts of generosity and kindness: and through volunteerism, have an impact on Delaware communities.

“There are many young people in our state making a positive impact on our state through volunteering,” said Molly Magarik, Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services. “Please help us recognize the difference they are making and nominate those deserving of this special honor.”

For descriptions of, or to nominate an individual, or organization, visit https://volunteer.delaware.gov/youth-awards. Nominations will only be accepted electronically using this form. If you have trouble or concerns, please contact Diane Frebert, at Diane.Frebert@delaware.gov. Nominations close on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

The Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards are sponsored by the Office of the Governor, administered by the Delaware Department of Health and Human Services, Division of State Service Centers, State Office of Volunteerism, with the support of the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service.

NEW CASTLE (Oct. 10, 2022) – As part of its strategic plan to make access to services easier for Delawareans across the state, the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) will begin a critical community engagement phase in which the public can weigh in on the kinds of changes they want to see. For years, DHSS has heard about the difficulty Delawareans have in accessing and navigating such services such as general assistance, emergency assistance services, food benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), emergency housing, Medicaid, and more.

“Hearing from the community about their experiences with receiving services is a priority for the department,” said DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik. “As we embark on improving services and ensuring those services meet the needs of Delawareans across the state, it is critical that we learn about the current experiences and potential solutions from the community. This important project will help DHSS create a service delivery system that is easier to access, more integrated, and works for all.”

Earlier this year, DHSS launched its “Reimagining Service Delivery” initiative to research, create and implement improvements on how services are delivered. This DHSS effort is part of Governor Carney’s Family Services Cabinet Council (FSCC). The FSCC’s goal is to integrate service delivery across the state and make it easier for families and individuals to get the support they need. As a first step, DHSS partnered with Social Contract, a Wilmington consulting firm, to understand the service delivery experience from staff at DHSS’ 15 State Service Centers. Additionally, Social Contract has researched service offerings and their purpose, funding sources, and eligibility requirements.

Secretary Magarik said DHSS seeks to enhance services from the perspective of the clients. To do this, DHSS and Social Contract will host community engagement sessions across the state beginning this month. There will be interviews, focus groups, listening sessions, and more. The goal is to hear about people’s experiences with state services, which will be used to make those services more effective for all.

Secretary Magarik said DHSS hears the need for improvement. “The department is committed to making important changes in service delivery that meet the needs of Delawareans,” she said.

To facilitate these changes, DHSS needs input from the community. Delawareans are asked to complete a short online survey by Nov. 1 to share their experience with receiving state services. Through the survey, residents also can let DHSS know if they want to participate in future community engagement sessions. For questions about the engagement sessions and survey, please email StateServiceCommunity@delaware.gov

To learn more about the project and the community engagement phase: https://de.gov/community.

NEW CASTLE (Sept. 10, 2019) – The Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of State Service Centers (DSSC) will host its inaugural DSSC Cares Family Fun Day at Herman Holloway Park/Compton Park in Wilmington from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26. In the case of rain, the event will be held at the Bancroft Elementary School, 700 N. Lombard St., Wilmington.

“I am excited about the Division of State Service Centers hosting the inaugural DSSC Cares Family Fun Day in Wilmington,” said DHSS Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker. “By engaging with residents, we can promote and help build resiliency in individuals and communities, so more people and families can thrive.”

DSSC Cares Family Fun Day is a community-oriented and family-focused event during which social service, health care and other related organizations and businesses will join with members of the community to promote access to health and human services, and educate, engage and empower individuals, families and communities. Staff from local and state agencies and nonprofits will be on hand to provide interactive activities and information about services that build individual and community resiliency for Delaware residents.

The event will also feature free food and entertainment for all ages, including a live performance by Mike Hines and The Look, bounce houses, face painters/balloon twisters, a juggler and games. The day will also serve as a way to observe “Make a Difference Day,” a national observance that emphasizes community service and volunteerism.

Attendees will be able to participate in a community service project designed to provide DSSC Cares bags, which will be distributed to those in the local community experiencing homelessness.

“We are so excited to bring a great array of entertainment, food and vendors at no cost to the local community,” said Renée P. Beaman, Director of the Division of State Service Centers. “Our Division is fully committed to promoting resources and providing an event that unites the community in a day of family fun and festivities.”

For additional information, contact Faith Mwaura at 302-255-9691. Information is also available via the DSSC website. 

With 15 statewide locations, the Division of State Service Centers (DSSC) serves as a one-stop-shop housing an array of public/private health and social service partners. The goal of DSSC is to promote access to Delaware’s health and human service system. The Division is part of the Department of Health and Social Services, which strives to improve the quality of life for Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

For more information about the Division of State Service Centers, please visit us at the DSSC website or contact us via email at DHSS_DSSC@delaware.gov or via telephone at (302) 255-9675.

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The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of life of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.