Governor John Carney joined Department of Transportation Secretary Nicole Majeski to celebrate the sixth class of Project SEARCH graduates at a ceremony Friday afternoon.

Project SEARCH provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills to help youths with disabilities make successful transitions from school to productive adult life. The program involves an extensive period of training and career exploration, innovative adaptations, long-term job coaching and continuous feedback from teachers, skills trainers and employers.

With DelDOT, the interns participate for the entire school year and transition into different positions throughout the Department every 12 weeks to experience various job duties.

“Project SEARCH is a wonderful example of collaboration among public and private agencies to support young men and women with intellectual disabilities to prepare them for employment in rewarding jobs,” said Governor John Carney. “This year’s ten graduates will join the many other Delawareans with disabilities who are having success in their workplaces.”

“Our Project SEARCH program has become a source of great pride for our department,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “Our employees have embraced the program that has now helped more than 50 students gain work skills and experience that will help them in their future jobs, and we continue to have graduates of the program employed with DelDOT.”

The program is made possible with the partnership amongst DelDOT, Autism Delaware, Community Integrated Services, Caesar Rodney School District, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Social Services, and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Project SEARCH is a national program that began at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996 and has grown to over 600 program sites across the United States and Europe. To learn more about Project SEARCH visit www.projectsearch.us.

Governor John Carney has proclaimed May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) along with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) encourages motorcyclists to ride smart and ride safely through education and awareness.

Every year from April through November, DMV offers six motorcycle safety courses for various skill levels, including an instructor-level course for those interested in becoming a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) RiderCoach.

Course benefits include professional training and up to 15% off your motorcycle liability insurance. Plus, upon course completion graduates are exempt from taking DMV motorcycle endorsement knowledge and road testing for up to six months.

Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski commented, “Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to crashes, and as motorists, we need to be extra cautious, especially during warmer weather, and remember to share the road.”

“Our motorcycle safety courses teach riders so many skills, but the ultimate goal is for graduates to utilize everything they learn every time they go out for a ride. By working together, we can make our roadways safer for all,” said DMV Director Jana Simpler.

Anyone who successfully completes a DMV Rider Safety Course in 2023 will be automatically entered to win a four-digit motorcycle license plate. Two drawings will be held: one on July 21, 2023, for those who successfully complete a course from March 17, 2023 to July 16, 2023, and another on November 18, 2023, for those who successfully complete a course from July 17, 2023, through November 12, 2023. Winners will receive an email alerting them how to obtain their tag.

For a list of available courses or enrollment details, CLICK HERE, visit dmv.de.gov and search on motorcycle courses, email motorcyclecourse@delaware.gov, or contact the below for more information:

New Castle County – 302-832-5163
Kent County – 302-744-2658
Sussex County – 302-853-1030

Last year, 22 motorcyclists were killed on Delaware roadways. As of Monday, May 8, 2023, four motorcyclists have been killed. Always use caution while operating a vehicle or motorcycle. Look twice at intersections, don’t tailgate, and eliminate distractions, for more motorcycle safety tips for both riders and motorists visit arrivealivede.com.

State employees recognized for excellence and commitment to public service

 

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday signed a proclamation announcing May 7-13, 2023 as Public Service Recognition Week. Beginning on the first Sunday of May, the week is devoted to recognizing and paying tribute to government employees who provide valuable services to Delawareans while keeping the public sector running smoothly. The Governor, together with members of his Cabinet and the state’s business community, will acknowledge the outstanding work of state employees and honor our exceptional public servants through a series of videos released each day.

 

“We are fortunate to have devoted state employees that are dedicated to the people of Delaware,” said Governor Carney. “Even after navigating through a really challenging time during the pandemic, they continue to provide an exceptional level of service that keeps our state running well. I’m thrilled to recognize some of our employees with awards thanks to a partnership with our business community. Thank you to all our public servants for their hard work and making Delaware a great state to live and work.”

 

“State employees rock,” said Department of Human Resources Secretary Claire DeMatteis. “They show up day in and day out no matter how difficult the job, demonstrating grit, grace, determination and compassion. I am proud to be a state employee and serve alongside so many committed professionals.”

 

During Public Service Recognition Week, individuals and teams of state employees will be honored for their excellence and commitment to public service during the 2022 calendar year. This includes recognizing employees who identified creative new ways to provide state services, as well as those who exhibited acts of heroism and courage.

 

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

 

• Tuesday, May 9 – Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service
• Wednesday, May 10 – Governor’s Team Excellence Award (Commitment Award, Champions Award)
• Thursday, May 11 – GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award and GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award
• Friday, May 12 – Delaware Award for Heroism

 

Recognition videos will premiere each day at 11:00 a.m. on youtube.com/johncarneyde.

 

Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award

The Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award is presented to up to five State of Delaware employees, or small groups of up to five employees, who exemplify the highest standards of excellence and commitment in state service.

 

Recipients of the 2022 award are:

• Angela Foraker, Department of Health and Social Services
• Nadeim Ghoryani, Department of Technology and Information
• Robin Jenkins, Judicial Branch
• Lisa Tingle, Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
• Linda Velott, Department of Finance

 

Governor’s Team Excellence Awards

This award category includes the GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award; Champions Award; and Commitment Award. The Governor’s Team Excellence Awards, presented annually to a team of six to 20 state employees, encourages teamwork by recognizing groups of state employees for their efforts to use continuous quality improvement tools to excel in leadership, team dynamics and communication to produce superior customer service and tangible results.

 

Commitment Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a commitment to developing and applying quality improvement tools and techniques and achieving results that lead to continuous improvement in their organization. The recipients of this year’s award are:

• Shoreline and Waterway Management Section-Beach Crew – Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
• Consumer Reporting Form Re-Platforming Team – Department of Health and Social Services
• DMV on the Go – Department of Transportation

 

Champions Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a superior knowledge of continuous quality improvement techniques, produce tangible results, and increase efficiencies, customer satisfaction, or cost savings. Recipients of this year’s award are:

 

• Bridge Buprenorphine Induction Program Team – Department of Health and Social Services
• Gun Violence Intervention Delaware Operations Team – Department of Health and Social Services; Department of Correction; Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families; Department of Safety and Homeland Security; and Department of Justice
• Casho Mill Road Clankers Team – Department of Transportation

 

GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award

This top award honors teams that not only use continuous improvement tools to achieve outstanding results but also develop innovative designs and processes, establish best practices, and produce verifiable results that are sustainable, scalable, and adaptable to other areas of government. These teams serve as clear role models for other organizations. The recipients of this year’s award are:

 

• Restore the Corridor Team – Department of Transportation
• Delaware Relief Rebate Team – Department of Finance

 

GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award

The GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award provides special recognition for individuals or small teams of employees who implement projects that increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of State government. These recipients are acknowledged for using continuous improvement tools to develop innovative processes, establish best practices, and produce verifiable results that are impactful, sustainable, and adaptable to other areas of government.

 

Recipients of the 2022 award are:

• Brian Calio, Department of Health and Human Services
• DLC Portal Team, Department of Human Resources – Darlene Hicken-Gott, Ashley Kavanagh and James Robinson
• Tonia Muncey, Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
• Larry Trunfio, Department of Human Resources
• James T. Vaughn American Correctional Association Accreditation Team – Department of Correction – Kara Austin, Renee Gutowski Chelsey Pernic, Damaris Slawik, and Michael Trader

 

The GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award and the GEAR P3 Innovation and Efficiency Award were made possible through the support of the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) Board and a Public-Private Partnership (P3) between the State of Delaware and the Delaware business community. Private sector contributors include Bank of America, Corporation Service Company (CSC), Delmarva Power, Highmark BCBS Delaware, JP Morgan Chase Bank, M&T Bank, The Precisionists Inc. (TPI), W.L. Gore & Associates, and WSFS Bank.

 

“As chairman of the Governor’s Efficiency & Accountability Review (GEAR) P3 Taskforce for Governor Carney’s GEAR initiative, I am thrilled that the private sector, with the strong backing of the Delaware Business Roundtable and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, has partnered again with The State of Delaware on the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Governor’s Innovation & Efficiency, and Trailblazer Awards. This program is a terrific step toward better government, and in recognizing state employees and teams on outstanding accomplishments,” said Ernie Dianastasis, CEO of The Precisionists (TPI).

 

Delaware Award for Heroism

The Delaware Award for Heroism, established in 2013, recognizes state employees for acts of heroism and courage. The 2022 recipients are:

 

• Van Adams and Trevor McColley, Department of Transportation
• Jeffrey Hansen and Timothy McCrary, Department of Correction

 

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Governor to terminate order on May 11, 2023

 

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday announced the final short-term extension and anticipated end date for the State of Delaware’s Public Health Emergency order. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Governor Carney plans to terminate the order on May 11, 2023 — the same date the federal Public Health Emergency is set to expire.

 

Governor Carney previously announced his plan to terminate the order on May 11, 2023, in concurrence with the expiration of the federal Public Health Emergency.

Applications for rising 11th or 12th grade student seat are now due May 5, 2023

 

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Thursday the application period for the student seat on the State Board of Education is now open through May 5, 2023. The application can be found on the State Board of Education website.

 

Governor Carney appointed the first-ever student representative to the state board in 2019.

 

“When we make big decisions that impact schools in our state, it’s important Delaware students have a seat at the table,” said Governor Carney. “I have been pleased to hear positive experiences from the Board and the young members year after year. I encourage rising juniors and seniors to consider applying for this opportunity.”

 

One qualified student applicant will be appointed to the Board to serve as a non-voting member. The student must be a Delaware resident and be enrolled in eleventh or twelfth grade at a Delaware public school during the 2023-2024 academic year. Applicants who demonstrate a commitment to ensuring quality education for Delaware students will be given priority consideration.

 

“Providing an informed youth voice is important to the Board’s work in representing the citizens voice in Delaware,” said Shawn Brittingham, President of the State Board of Education. “We have learned much from our previous four student Board Members and value the insight that a student brings to conversations regarding policies and programs impacting all students across our state.”

 

The non-voting student seat was approved by the General Assembly in 2018 with the passage of House Bill 455 – legislation sponsored by Representative Stephanie T. Bolden and Senator Jack Walsh. The Governor annually appoints to the Board an eleventh or twelfth grade student, and a former State Teacher of the Year who is also a current educator.

 

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