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.

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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Series of events and trainings offered statewide

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday signed a proclamation declaring May 2022 as Trauma Awareness Month to recognize efforts of trauma-informed practices across the State of Delaware. 

View proclamation signing video on Governor Carney’s YouTube Channel.

“Trauma Awareness Month is an opportunity for all of us to engage with our community and learn how to prevent and interrupt cycles of trauma, especially for our children,” said Governor Carney. “A lot has changed since we first recognized Trauma Awareness Month in 2018, and we continue to deal with the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on all of us. But we have a lot of great work happening across our state to address these experiences in an effort to improve lives for Delaware children and families. We thank Trauma Matters Delaware and the many organizations, state agencies, and individuals who are working hard to make Delaware a more trauma-informed state.”

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). 

“It might not sound like it as a first impression, but Trauma Awareness Month is actually about good news,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney. “We’ve learned so much —from brain science and long-term studies, and from listening to each other. Knowing now, as we do, that every contact with a child can leave a mark – for good or for ill – all of us can be part of positive experiences for children that provide a buffer against long-lasting impacts of trauma.”

The Family Services Cabinet Council and TMD are highlighting a variety of virtual events throughout May, including facilitated webinars each week for Delawareans to learn about the current state of trauma in Delaware and trauma-related topics. 

• May 11, 2022 – TMD’s Coffee and Conversations Event – 12:30 p.m. –  public webinar
• May 12, 2022 – Trauma-informed leadership Presentation – 12:00 p.m. – public webinar
• May 18, 2022 – Resilience & Self-Care Panel Discussion –  12:30 p.m.  – public webinar
• May 25, 2022 – TMD’s Community Healing Event – Additional information will be shared on the TMD event calendar

The FSCC and TMD encourage Delaware 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 calendar, please complete this form.

“While I am excited to experience my first Trauma Awareness Month with everyone across the state, I am equally as thrilled to have our young people and individuals that work with our youth and teens own the spotlight this May,” said Erin Mitchell, Executive Director of Trauma Matters Delaware. “After a tough two years, we have a responsibility to respond to the changing needs of our youth. At Trauma Matters Delaware, our vision is that all people can feel safe, grow beyond adversity and thrive.”

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. 

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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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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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