CyberStart America and Cyber FastTrack offer free, fun games for high school and college students to discover their talent and enter the field of cybersecurity. Registration is open now.

Dover, Delaware — Today, Delaware’s Governor John Carney and Chief Information Officer (CIO) Jason Clarke announced that high school and college students across the First State can now register for CyberStart America and Cyber FastTrack — innovative, online cybersecurity talent searches and competitions sponsored by the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation and the SANS Institute. Building on the success of last year’s National Cyber Scholarship Competition and the previous Girls Go CyberStart program, CyberStart America is open to all high school students to explore their aptitude for cybersecurity and computer science. Delaware students in grades nine through twelve will have the chance to win prizes and recognition for their schools, as well as scholarships for advanced training for themselves.  Cyber FastTrack is available for college students, where they too have a chance to win accolades and scholarship awards.

“Cybersecurity is a critical issue facing every state across the country and the future of our innovation economy depends on having a skilled pipeline of cybersecurity talent available,” said Governor John Carney. “Careers in cybersecurity are open across nearly every industry and we want to encourage high school and college students to explore these occupations. The CyberStart America and Cyber FastTrack programs give students the chance to discover skills and career paths that can ultimately lead them to success within the cybersecurity field.”

The CyberStart and Cyber FastTrack programs both offer a series of online challenges that allow participants to act as cyber protection agents solving cybersecurity-related puzzles and explore related topics such as code-breaking, programming, networking, and digital forensics. For the high school level, the program can be assigned as part of homework, form the basis of an extracurricular club, or students can simply try it on their own. Participating students and their teachers do not need knowledge or experience in information technology or cybersecurity to take part. Everything they need can be learned in the game; however, support and communication about the program to students are needed. Both programs are free for schools and students.

Students who do well in the program can earn access to scholarships and advanced training. Last year, 416 Delaware students participated in CyberStart America — four of whom earned scholarships — while two Cyber FastTrack winners won over $12,000 in training and scholarship awards.

“It’s estimated that there are more than 20 billion devices connected to the Internet and that number is only going to increase exponentially. This past year has proven how ingrained technology is in our personal and professional lives — as well as how imperative it is that we protect all the systems that connect us. Cybercriminals are evolving and becoming more sophisticated, so we must continue to seek out and cultivate the next generation of experts who will defend Delaware and the nation against these cyber threats,” said CIO Jason Clarke.

“Thank you to Governor Carney for his leadership in training the next generation of Cyber Stars,” said Alan Paller, President, National Cyber Scholarship Foundation. “Delaware is paving the way in urgently addressing the country’s significant gap in our cyber talent pipeline. We look forward to partnering with the Governor’s office to recruit thousands of Delaware’s students to this effort.”

To learn more about CyberStart America or to register, visit cyberstartamerica.org. College students can view the program details and register to participate at cyber-fasttrack.org.

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About the Delaware Department of Technology and Information
The Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is the state’s central IT organization, chartered to deliver core services to other state organizations and exercise governance over the technology direction and investments of the state. DTI provides enterprise services that enable other organizations to effectively fulfill their missions. DTI.delaware.gov

About CyberStart America
CyberStart America and Cyber FastTrack are free national programs for high school and college-level students, aiming to uncover hidden cyber talents and to identify and develop the next generation of cyber superstars. The immersive gamified learning platforms can take students from zero cybersecurity knowledge to possessing the skills necessary to compete in a national-level Capture the Flag challenge in a matter of weeks. Students new to the field with a strong aptitude, as well as students with existing interest in the field, can use the platform to train and qualify for the National Cyber Scholarship Competition, allowing them to compete for life-changing college scholarship opportunities.

About The National Cyber Scholarship Foundation (NCSF)
The National Cyber Scholarship Foundation (NCSF) is a national nonprofit whose mission is to identify, nurture and empower the next generation of cybersecurity experts and eliminate the cybersecurity skills gap in the United States. NCSF aims to support the entry of thousands of highly talented students to the cybersecurity industry by providing enrichment opportunities, world-class training, and scholarships to fund advanced skills training.

As part of a continuing effort to reduce emissions and be more environmentally friendly, the Delaware Transit Corp (DTC) is pleased to announce it has received a fourth Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant of $3,539,640 to purchase additional electric buses that will grow DART First State’s alternative fuel fleet. The agency has now received more than $9.1 million through these grants to support the purchase of electric buses.

DART is currently running 16 electric buses statewide, with 4 additional buses going into service this fall. The 6 additional buses to be purchased with the latest grant will bring the fleet total to 26 electric buses, or about 10% of the current fixed route diesel buses.

Electric buses last longer, are cleaner, easier to maintain, produce zero emissions and offer the same capacity for riders compared to their diesel relatives. They produce 90 percent fewer particulates (hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions and 60 percent fewer oxides of nitrogen). One bus can travel up to 250 miles on a single charge. With fast charging stations throughout the state, buses can quickly recharge so they continue to run all day.

Delaware’s Congressional Delegation of Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, along with Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, (all D-Del.) have fought for funding to decrease carbon emissions and support electric vehicles and buses, and the infrastructure to support it.

“Through this grant from Federal Transportation Authority, the Delaware Transit Corp. will be able to purchase several additional electric buses for use throughout the state,” said Sens. Carper, Coons and Rep. Blunt Rochester. “Continued investments in electric vehicles, like the DART First State Electric Buses, will help move Delaware forward toward a more environmentally and energy-efficient state. We’re proud of DART for committing to a greener and cleaner future for Delaware and look forward to securing additional funding at the federal level to increase Delaware’s fleet of electric buses.”

Governor John Carney added, “Just last week, I signed Senate Bill 21, amending the Delaware Energy Act to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles by creating a more accessible charging-station infrastructure in the First State. I am proud that our state agencies are also adopting the use of electric vehicles, especially for public transportation that results in less air pollution from buses that operate continuously throughout the day.”

“The need for alternative modes of transportation grows daily as does the need for cleaner transportation. We are grateful for this grant and the opportunity continue to explore ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to provide the highest quality transportation services to the community,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski.

The first FTA grant of $2,029,300 for the purchase of six electric buses are currently operating in and around Dover. The second grant of $1 million for the purchase of an additional ten electric buses operating in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach. DTC received a third grant of $2.6 million for four electric buses to supplement the busy resort season in late summer of 2021.

The Delaware Transit Corporation, a subsidiary of the Delaware Department of Transportation, operates DART First State. For more information, please visit DartFirstState.com or call 1-800-652-DART. Real-Time Bus Information and DART Pass, the mobile fare payment option, are both available on the free DART Transit App (iOS and Android).

Eventos en cada condado planificados para los habitantes de Delaware que recibieron la primera dosis de la vacuna el 18 de enero o antes en eventos de vacunación patrocinados por el Estado

La inscripción empieza hoy a las 10:00 a. m. en el sitio web de Curative

WILMINGTON, Del. – El gobernador John Carney, la División de Salud Pública (DPH) y la Agencia de Manejo de Emergencias de Delaware (DEMA) anunciaron que la inscripción en eventos de Curative para la aplicación de la segunda dosis de la vacuna en los tres condados comenzará HOY, jueves, 11 de febrero, a las 10:00 a. m.

La inscripción estará disponible aquí:

Georgetown: https://curative.com/sites/25123

Dover: https://curative.com/sites/25081

Wilmington: https://curative.com/sites/25122

NOTA: Los eventos de segunda dosis de la semana que viene tendrán lugar del 15 al 19 de febrero en los campus de Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC) en Dover, Wilmington y Georgetown. Los eventos de DTCC están dirigidos a los trabajadores de Delaware elegibles para la Fase 1A y los habitantes de Delaware mayores de 65 años de edad que recibieron sus primeras dosis de la vacuna contra el COVID-19 en eventos de vacunación masiva patrocinados por el Estado. En total, se darán 3,800 citas para una segunda dosis. Las personas que no puedan demostrar que recibieron la primera vacuna antes del 18 de enero no podrán participar en los eventos de vacunación, por más que tengan una cita.

Los habitantes de Delaware que hayan recibido la primera vacuna el 18 de enero o antes en una farmacia o un proveedor de atención médica autorizados deben comunicarse con su proveedor o farmacia para programar una cita de segunda dosis antes de intentar inscribirse en un evento patrocinado por el Estado. El Estado de Delaware asignará segundas dosis de las vacunas a los proveedores autorizados lo antes posible para cumplir con el intervalo de 21 o 28 días entre dosis, según lo permita el suministro federal. Se prevé que habrá otros eventos de segunda dosis patrocinados por el Estado a partir del 20 de febrero para las personas que recibieron la primera dosis en eventos patrocinados por el Estado.

“Nuestro objetivo es vacunar a la mayor cantidad de habitantes de Delaware que sea posible, y de la manera más rápida y equitativa posible”, dijo el gobernador Carney. “Estos eventos de segunda dosis reducirán por un tiempo nuestra capacidad de ampliar el acceso a primeras dosis de la vacuna contra el COVID-19. Aun así, estamos logrando un importante avance en la vacunación de habitantes de Delaware mayores de 65 años y trabajadores de atención médica de primera línea. Esto ayudará a limitar la propagación del COVID-19 y el desarrollo de síntomas graves en nuestras poblaciones más vulnerables”.

Los habitantes de Delaware que hayan perdido su tarjeta de registro de vacunación pueden solicitar su registro de vacunación por correo electrónico a vaccine@delaware.gov (asunto: Lost Vaccine Card). Incluya el nombre completo y la fecha de nacimiento cuando solicite el comprobante de la primera dosis de la vacuna contra el COVID-19. ¿No tiene acceso al correo electrónico? Llame al 1-833-643-1715.

Para obtener más información sobre el programa de vacunación contra el COVID-19 de Delaware, visite de.gov/covidvaccine.

¿Tiene 65 años o más? Regístrese en la lista de espera de vacunación del estado de Delaware en vaccinerequest.delaware.gov. Los habitantes de Delaware también pueden comunicarse con el Centro de Atención Telefónica para Vacunación de la DPH llamando al 1-833-643-1715.

Si tiene preguntas generales sobre el COVID-19, llame al 2-1-1 en Delaware. Las personas sordas o con problemas de audición pueden enviar su código postal por mensaje de texto al 898-211 o escribir a delaware211@uwde.org. El horario de atención es de 8:00 a. m. a 9:00 p. m. de lunes a viernes, y de 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m. los sábados y domingos. Las preguntas de índole médica relacionadas con las pruebas, los síntomas y los lineamientos relativos a la salud pueden enviarse por correo electrónico a DPHCall@delaware.gov.

Visite de.gov/coronavirus para obtener la información más reciente sobre la respuesta de Delaware al COVID-19. Para encontrar eventos y puestos de pruebas, visite de.gov/gettested.

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Since expanding the Work A Day Earn A Pay (WADEAP) Pilot Public Works Jobs program statewide in July 2019, the program has collected nearly 1,500 bags of trash along Delaware roads. The program is a collaborative effort between the Delaware Department of Transportation and Goodwill Industries of Delaware and Delaware County.

“I want to thank Delawareans all across our state, including everyone involved in our Work A Day program, who are helping to protect our natural environment and Keep DE Litter Free,” said Governor John Carney. “Just recently, a group of Sussex County employees collected 169 bags of trash along county roadways, and the annual Coastal Cleanup in September brought thousands of volunteers out to collect trash along our coastline. We live in a beautiful state, and we should keep it that way. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but we’re encouraged with the results we’re seeing so far.”

“Goodwill has done a fantastic job of getting the statewide WADEAP program up and running, helping us address this problem and offering job opportunities and training,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan. “In addition, we continue to spread the Keep DE Litter Free message throughout Delaware that we need everyone’s help in this effort. For example, DelDOT has collected more than 200 dumped large appliances from roads in Kent County since the beginning of 2018. This behavior is not ok and we need these blatant acts to stop which can only happen with the public’s help,” she added.

Colleen Morrone, President & Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County offered, “The Work A Day Earn A Pay program is providing a great opportunity to individuals with barriers to employment to enter the workforce. To support job growth opportunities, the 40 WADEAP team participants are also receiving digital skills and financial coaching, giving them the skills to improve their quality of life through the Power of Work.”

DelDOT is providing the $483,000 in funding for the expanded program that has increased the frequency of cleanups in Wilmington as well as targeting other high litter areas in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties. More information about the Keep DE Litter Free campaign can be found at https://governor.delaware.gov/litter-free/

Governor Carney was joined by Senator Tom Carper, Representative Lisa Blunt-Rochester, and other state and local officials today as he announced plans for the new Claymont Regional Transportation Center at First State Crossing, with initial construction scheduled to begin this spring.

“Across our state, we are investing $3.2 billion to modernize our transportation system through 2025, including about $1.7 billion in New Castle County. These are historic levels of investment that will ease congestion, pave the way for future growth, improve safety on our roads and create good-paying jobs,” said Governor John Carney. “With the Claymont Train Station project beginning this year and the Newark Train Station project underway, we are investing more than $130 million to improve rail infrastructure in our state to better serve our current ridership and accommodate future riders as well. These investments are an important part of our collective efforts to bring new jobs and residents to Claymont and communities throughout our state.”

The $71 million project was supported by a $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“Three years ago, we knew this project had the potential to make a big impact on Claymont,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “The Congressional delegation went to work to convince then-US Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx that this project deserved a $10 million TIGER grant. It was easy to prove our point: This project is a perfect example of how transportation can create new opportunities for economic development through partnerships of government and private investment.”

SEPTA’s Wilmington/Newark Regional Rail Line has provided service to Claymont since 1991, offering 42 weekday trains and 14 weekend trains. Average weekday ridership out of Claymont is nearly 1,200 passengers.

The project was awarded to Wagman/JMT in January 2019 for $54 million and is estimated to be completed in fall 2021.