WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday released the following statement after President Trump’s decision to end federal cost-sharing reductions that make health insurance and health care affordable for low-income Delawareans:

“President Trump’s decision to end cost-sharing reductions will hurt thousands of low-income Delawareans who use those subsidies to make their health insurance and health care affordable. Less than three weeks away from the start of open enrollment on Delaware’s Health Insurance Marketplace, the President’s action will lead to thousands of Delawareans deciding that health insurance is no longer affordable for them and their families. That will lead to more people being uninsured in our state, which eventually means increased premiums for all of us. Ultimately, these changes could lead to insurers deciding to leave the Delaware market. That’s bad for health care in Delaware, bad for the health of Delawareans and bad for the economy of our state. My administration will work with our Congressional Delegation to restore the cost-sharing reductions as soon as possible.”

###

Challenge launched during National Cyber Security Awareness Month to ignite student interest in the high-demand cyber security field 
 

DOVER, Del. — As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Governor John Carney on Wednesday joined Delaware Department of Technology and Information’s (DTI) Chief Information Officer James Collins and Chief Security Officer Elayne Starkey, as well as representatives from the Delaware Department of Education and National Security Agency (NSA), a host of cyber security subject matter experts, and over 400 attendees at the 2017 Secure Delaware Workshop to highlight the importance cyber security training across all lines of government, business, and citizens to strengthen our readiness and response posture.

During the event, Governor Carney announced the official launch of the Delaware “NSA Day of Cyber” School Challenge, a free statewide program designed to ignite interest in cyber security among the state’s youth by enabling them to test drive occupations with the fully-funded online cyber security career exploration platform.

“Cybercrime is one of the greatest threats to our nation and we live in a world where we increasingly rely on electronic information storage and communication that must be protected,” said Governor Carney. “The importance of cyber security cannot be overstated, and Delaware’s innovation economy needs a talented pipeline of cyber security professionals. Delaware has always sought to take a proactive stance in protecting the online information of our residents, businesses and employees, and I am excited that we are partnering with NSA and LifeJourney to host the NSA Day of Cyber School Challenge for Delaware students to promote interest among the state’s youth in this cutting-edge field.”

“Organizations are having difficulty hiring cyber talent, and many positions are going unfilled. The ‘Day of Cyber’ Challenge provides an exciting platform for Delaware students to start thinking early about cyber security and related fields so we can better prepare them to have the foundation they need to compete in an increasingly globalized workforce,” said Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education.

Rick Geritz, CEO of LifeJourney, the company that created the NSA Day of Cyber program said, “Cyberspace technology is young and changing at rapid pace, that is why it is so important to have a trained workforce to defend us in cyberspace. Governor Carney’s leadership to prioritize cyber security skills will not only accelerate Delaware’s workforce but also serve as model for the nation.”

The Secure Delaware Workshop, hosted by DTI, the Greater Wilmington Cyber Security Group, Delaware League of Local Governments, Delaware Technical and Community College, and the Delaware Small Business Development Center was held at the Dover Downs Conference Center in Dover. Additional agenda topics ranged from current trends, managing risk and federal/state cyber security policies to privacy issues, malware detection and emerging technologies such as block chain.

“The safekeeping of our state’s enterprise systems and protection of our citizens’ information is a top priority,” noted DTI Chief Information Officer James Collins. “The Secure Delaware Workshop brings together the best and brightest in the field of cyber security to provide training for anyone — resident, student, business, government or employee —to learn how to defend yourself, your family, your employer, your business, and the citizens of Delaware against cyber-attacks.”

To sign up to participate in the Delaware “Day of Cyber” challenge, visit Bit.ly/DEDayofCyberChallenge. To learn more cyber awareness and resources available to prevent cybercrime, visit digiknow.dti.delaware.gov.

 

###

About the Delaware Department of Technology and Information
The Delaware 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 innovative enterprise services enabling other organizations to effectively fulfill their missions.

About NSA Day of Cyber
The NSA Day of Cyber, sponsored by the National Security Agency and powered by the LifeJourney technology, is an online, self-guided career exploration and mentorship platform that enables students to test-drive cyber careers and live a day in the life of six leading NSA cyber professionals. Each student will receive a Cyber Resume and Certificate of Completion signed by the NSA. The NSA Day of Cyber experience is available, at no cost, to be run by schools and organizations anytime throughout the year. Schools, teachers, organizations, parents and students can register at http://nsadayofcyber.com.

About LifeJourney
LifeJourney ™ is the leader in cyber security and STEM online career exploration and simulation. A web-based tool for the classroom that enables students to explore, discover and test-drive exciting careers  of America’s STEM and Cyber security leaders, and thus become informed and inspired to follow the related STEM pathways to achieve those futures. The LifeJourney experience enables teachers to directly connect what they are teaching in the classroom to what students learn through the tools and technologies of organizations defining the workforce needs of tomorrow. www.lifejourney.us.

###

State of Delaware, Christina, CEA also announce town hall meetings to gather feedback from families, educators

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, Christina School District Superintendent Richard Gregg, and Christina Education Association President Darren Tyson announced on Thursday that they have signed a joint letter of intent to work together and develop a partnership with the goal of improving educational opportunities in the City of Wilmington.

The partnership will address the long-term success for the 1,640 Christina students in preschool through grade 8 who reside in Wilmington and attend the district’s four city elementary schools and one middle school. These schools are Bancroft Elementary School, Elbert-Palmer Elementary School, Pulaski Elementary School, Stubbs Elementary School, and Bayard Middle School.

Christina School District will work with staff from the Governor’s office, the Delaware Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement, and the Christina Education Association to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this calendar year and submit the MOU for approval by the Christina Board of Education.

The MOU will define the roles and commitments of each party in crafting a system designed to create great public schools for every Christina student in the City of Wilmington. Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education, and Dorrell Green, Director of the Office of Innovation and Improvement, also signed the joint letter of intent.

“It’s always been clear to me that as goes the City of Wilmington, so goes our state. And improving our city starts with improving our schools,” said Governor Carney. “We are committed to working in partnership with the Christina School District, the Christina Board of Education, the Christina Education Association, families, educators, and community members, to improve outcomes for students in Christina’s city schools. We have a responsibility to do better by these students, and I look forward to getting to work.”

“The Christina School District is committed to exploring every option available to improving achievement for its students,” said Richard Gregg, Superintendent of the Christina School District. “We are willing to enter into this partnership to explore the development of an MOU that clearly outlines the commitments that will be made by all involved. The Christina Board has been clear that any agreement that is developed must focus on what is best for our students, and we will work with the Department of Education and the Governor’s Office toward this goal in good faith.”

“We welcome the Governor’s initiative to partner in service to our Wilmington students,” said George Evans, President of the Christina School District Board of Education. “We need to create and maximize new pathways to excellence and equity within our Wilmington schools.”

“CEA and its members look forward to entering into this partnership and working together to create an MOU that best serves and supports the Christina students in Wilmington,” said Darren Tyson, President of the Christina Education Association.

Read the full letter of intent here.

###

Governor Carney will join Superintendent Richard Gregg and CEA President Darren Tyson at two Wilmington town hall meetings to discuss the partnership between the State of Delaware and the Christina School District:

Town Hall Meeting on Wilmington Schools Partnership

This event is open to the press.

WHAT: Governor John Carney will join Christina Superintendent Richard Gregg, Office of Innovation and Improvement Director Dorrell Green, the Christina Education Association, members of the Christina School Board, and community organizations to discuss the partnership, and ideas for improving Wilmington schools, with families and educators in Wilmington. Governor Carney, Superintendent Gregg and others will take questions.

WHO:          Governor John Carney

Richard Gregg, Superintendent, Christina School District

Members of the Christina School Board of Education

Darren Tyson, President, Christina Education Association

Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary, Delaware Department of Education

Dorrell Green, Director, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Delaware Department of Education

WHEN:       Wednesday, October 18, 2017

6:30 p.m.

WHERE:    Bancroft Elementary School

700 N. Lombard Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

 

Town Hall Meeting on Wilmington Schools Partnership

This event is open to the press.

WHAT:        Governor John Carney will join Christina Superintendent Richard Gregg, Office of Innovation and Improvement Director Dorrell Green, the Christina Education Association, members of the Christina School Board, and community organizations to discuss the partnership, and ideas for improving Wilmington schools, with families and educators in Wilmington. Governor Carney, Superintendent Gregg and others will take questions.

WHO:          Governor John Carney

Richard Gregg, Superintendent, Christina School District

Members of the Christina School Board of Education

Darren Tyson, President, Christina Education Association

Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary, Delaware Department of Education

Dorrell Green, Director, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Delaware Department of Education

WHEN:       Wednesday, October 25, 2017

6:30 p.m.

WHERE:     Bayard Middle School

200 S. DuPont Street, Wilmington, DE 19805

###

DOVER – Today, Governor John Carney rolled up his sleeve to get his annual flu shot at the Division of Public Health’s (DPH) drive-thru flu clinic in Dover, officially launching the state’s flu season prevention efforts. DPH urges all Delawareans 6 months and older to get a flu shot for protection from influenza illnesses and complications.

“Getting your annual vaccination is an important step to prevent illness, protect our workforce, reduce health care costs and ultimately, save lives,” Governor Carney said. “I encourage every Delawarean to get their flu shot early in the flu season.”

Vaccinations not only prevent people from getting the flu, but they can reduce the severity of flu illness and prevent visits to the doctor, clinic, emergency room and hospitalizations. Vaccinated people have less chance of missing family, school and work events due to influenza illness.

“Vaccination is not just about protecting yourself, it’s also about protecting each other,” said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker. “Everyone comes into contact with all types of individuals who are vulnerable to influenza viruses carried by unvaccinated people. Getting a flu shot might not only help you but your grandma, a co-worker or your young son or daughter.”

The 12-hour event was held from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Department of Transportation’s (DelDOT) main administration campus in Dover, in hopes of taking advantage of the busy location, which also houses the Division of Motor Vehicles. DPH and Bayhealth nurses administered intramuscular flu vaccines to drivers, their passengers and pedestrians. A special area was available for those with access or interpretation needs. American Sign Language interpreters along with interpreters for those speaking Spanish or Haitian Creole were on site.

By noon, 431 vaccinations had already been provided, surpassing last year’s total of approximately 346 vaccinations.

“Today it’s easier than ever to get your flu shot. We wanted to make it as convenient as possible so we are bringing our flu clinic to your car,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “The flu is easy to transmit and you can get it from seemingly healthy, but unvaccinated people. It is also unpredictable, which is why it’s important to get vaccinated every year, since we never know what kind of flu season we will see.”

Added DelDOT Deputy Cabinet Secretary Nicole Majeski, “We are pleased to partner with DPH in this important public safety effort. Our campus gets a lot of traffic with the DMV on site, and we hoped that by offering to host it here, we could help increase the number of Delawareans who will get the flu vaccine. We also shared it with our employees here on campus and many of them have been able to receive flu shots just by walking up.”

DPH urges individuals to get their flu shots early in the flu season. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection. The flu mist is not being recommended again this year based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s analysis, which raises concerns about its effectiveness.

Getting a flu vaccination is easy. They are offered through physician offices, many pharmacies and some grocery stores. DPH is also offering flu vaccines at its Public Health clinics in several State Service Centers including some with evening hours. For more information about the flu and where to get vaccinated, visit www.flu.delaware.gov, call 1-800-282-8672, or Google “CDC flu finder” and enter a ZIP code.

Last flu season, Delaware had 4,590 confirmed flu cases, 15 of which were fatal. All but one of the individuals who died was over the age of 50 and had underlying health conditions.

Delawareans can prevent the spread of the flu and other respiratory illness with good hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and dispose of tissues immediately. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your inner elbow. Droplets from a sneeze can travel up to six feet. Stay six feet away from others who are coughing or sneezing, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Flu symptoms come on suddenly, and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and body aches, chills, and fatigue. Some people get complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. Those sick with the flu should stay home from work, school, and other gatherings and not return until free of fever – 100◦ F (37.8◦ C), without the use of fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours.

They should avoid close contact with well people in the household, drink plenty of water and other clear liquids, and treat fever and cough with over-the-counter medicines. Those who are very sick, pregnant, or have a medical condition like asthma should call their doctors for antiviral medicines to make the illness milder, hasten recovery, and prevent serious complications, hospitalizations, and even death.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

Donated items will be accepted at Delaware State Police, Port of Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), Delaware State Police, and Delaware Citizen Corps, in conjunction with the International Longshoremen’s Association and the Port of Wilmington, announced on Thursday a campaign to gather donated supplies to aid relief efforts in Puerto Rico.

“Delawareans always stand ready to assist those in need, and our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico need our support,” said Governor Carney. “Members of our National Guard continue to assist with disaster response, and our thoughts continue to be with everyone in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria and its aftermath. We look out for our neighbors here in Delaware, and I urge Delawareans to support this effort however possible.”

“The emergency management communities have seen challenges like no other this year,” said A.J. Schall, Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. “I’m proud DEMA has been able to assist other states via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, and I am glad we can join with our private partners and non-profits to support Puerto Rico.”

The transportation of the items to Puerto Rico will be organized and shipped by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) 1694, led by ILA 1694 President Bill Ashe.

Donated supplies can be dropped off at Delaware State Police Troop locations throughout the state, as well as at the Port of Wilmington.

*A list of supplies that will be accepted is available below.

Donations will be accepted at the following Delaware State Police locations Monday through Sunday between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. until Wednesday, October 18:

• Delaware State Police Headquarters – 1441 N. DuPont Highway, Dover 19903
• State Police Troop 1 – 603 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington 19809
• State Police Troop 2 – 100 Lagrange Avenue, Newark 19702
• State Police Troop 3 – 3759 South State Street, Camden 19934
• State Police Troop 4 – 23652 Shortly Road, Georgetown 19947
• State Police Troop 5 – 9265 Public Safety Way, Bridgeville 19933
• State Police Troop 6 – 3301 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington 19808
• State Police Troop 7 – 18006 Coastal Highway, Lewes 19958
• State Police Troop 9 – 414 Main Street, Odessa 19730

Donations will also be accepted at the Port of Wilmington Monday through Saturday between 7:00 a.m. and noon until Saturday, October 21:

• Port of Wilmington – 1 Hausel Road, Wilmington, DE 19801
  *Because of Port security, members of the public donating items must check in at Lane 4 of the Port’s main gate. Security Officers will direct donors from that point to the collection area. All loose items should be placed in boxes.

Items needed in Puerto Rico include:

• Baby formulas and food (Similac and Enfamil from all stages) *no other food will be accepted
• First aid supplies
• Stomach and diarrhea medications
• Hand sanitizer
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries and feminine-hygiene products
• Dish soap and laundry detergents
• Garbage bags
• Work gloves, tarps, ropes, safety glasses and goggles
• Pet food

The public is reminded that the following items will not be accepted:

• Clothing and shoes
• Toys or stuffed animals
• Bottled water
• Food

Monetary donations will not be accepted at the collection sites. Delawareans wishing to make monetary donations may do so securely online through National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster.

Delawareans interested in volunteer opportunities can find instructions online at the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster’s website.

###