March for the Arts in Education Month: Empowering Youth through the Arts

Highlighting the importance of the arts in every child’s education, Governor Jack Markell introduces Empowering Youth through the Arts, a series of videos that document outstanding arts programs being offered in arts organizations and cultural centers across the state.

“There is something unique about the creative arts process that empowers children to realize their potential in whatever they choose to pursue in life,” Governor Markell said. “Youth involvement in the arts stimulates, strengthens, and develops the imagination and critical thinking skills. The arts motivate and engage children in learning and help level the field for learning across socio-economic boundaries.”

Each of the programs featured in the videos is supported in part through Delaware Division of the Arts grants. These programs demonstrate the vital role that Delaware arts organizations and community centers play in providing arts experiences that complement and enhance what students receive during the school day.

To watch the other four videos, visit the Official YouTube Page for the State of Delaware at http://www.youtube.com/DelawareGovernment and select the “Empowering Youth through the Arts” playlist. Or click here to go directly to the playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCUOs10-0UsgVHugiFn3GbuF7KYqOfHDf

For more on the importance of arts in education, visit the Division’s arts education resources and links at: http://www.artsdel.org/ArtsEducation/aiepublications.shtml

Video: Christina Cultural Arts Center: Arts for All
Christina Cultural Arts Center Inc. (CCAC) is a premier community school of the arts with a mission to make affordable arts, education, multicultural, and live performance programs accessible to children, teens, and adults in a safe, family-centered environment. Programs encourage creative expression and lifelong learning; promote healthy lifestyles; build academic/social skills; support artists, and advocate for arts in schools representing lower socio-economic populations.

Video: El Centro Cultural: ¡Viva Arts!
El Centro Cultural partners with First State Community Action Agency’s La Casita after-school program to provide art education, art supplies, and bilingual teachers for a one-week summer arts camp to teach children about traditional music, dance, and art focusing on Mexico and Guatemala, and to prepare the students for presentations at Festival Hispano in Millsboro.

Video: Inner City Cultural League: Dancing and Dreaming
Founded in 1971 by Dover City Councilman Reuben Salters, The Inner City Cultural League, Inc. fulfills a need in the central Delaware community. The mission of the Inner City Cultural League, Inc. is to provide relevant cultural programs that will positively impact and improve the lives of less advantaged families–especially community youth–through the performing and visual arts that will awaken the genius within, ignite the human spirit, and create an awareness of the value of the arts in social, economic, and educational development.

Video: Rehoboth Art League: Have Art, Will Travel
In the early years of the Rehoboth Art League, founder Louise Chambers Corkran arranged for artists to work with disadvantaged children through the Children’s Beach House in Lewes. Today, in partnership with many organizations, the Rehoboth Art League sends artists throughout Sussex County to leverage the arts to enhance the quality of life for many. A special focus is working with children and elderly adults who do not have the resources to travel or take RAL classes. For many, this experience opens up a new world of opportunity for creative expression.

About March for the Arts in Education
Ten years ago, former Senator Dorinda A. Connor authored Senate Bill No. 116, designating the month of March as March for Arts in Education Month. Senator Conner envisioned a month devoted to celebrating arts education throughout the state–recognizing the critical role that the arts play in providing a well-rounded education for Delaware’s youth.


Energy Assistance Program Receives $86,000 to Help Low-Income Delawareans with Electric Bills

Governor Markell joined the Division of the Public Advocate (DPA) today in announcing that the Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP) will have an additional $86,000 this year to help low-income Delawareans pay their summer electric bills. The funding derives from a 2012 settlement between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Constellation Energies Commodities Group, Inc.

In Delaware, the funds will be used to defray energy costs for electric consumers through the Summer Cooling Assistance Program (SCAP). The program is focused on assisting the elderly and those with disabilities who may have difficulty going to air conditioned public places for refuge during heat waves because of mobility issues.

“Extreme weather can have a severe impact on our most vulnerable populations,” said Governor Markell. “As a community, we have an obligation to help those in need – whether it is providing them with heat in the winter or a way to stay cool in the summer. This money will certainly aid in those efforts and ensure 350 more households are safer during the hottest months of the year.”

A ceremonial check representing $86,811.43 was presented today by the Division of the Public Advocate to Dr. Anne Farley, Director of the Division of State Service Centers for the Department of Health and Social Services, and Leslie Lee, the administrator of DEAP. DEAP is a federally-funded program for low-income families who need help meeting their home energy costs.

“This is welcomed assistance for some of the most vulnerable people we serve,” said Dr. Farley. “Through our community partner, Catholic Charities, this aid will go toward keeping many Delaware seniors and people with disabilities more comfortable in their homes this summer.”

In 2012, the FERC and Constellation Energy Commodities Group entered into a Stipulation and Consent Agreement which resolved an investigation brought under the Commission’s Anti-Manipulation Rule. The DPA became a party to the case as a member of a group of consumer advocates who petitioned to have a role in determining how the proceeds of the disgorged profits would be distributed.

For more information about DEAP and the Summer Cooling Assistance Program, please visit http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dssc/liheap.html


Department of State Announces Public Hearing Schedule for Review of Agency Regulations

The Delaware Department of State announced today that it will hold public hearings next month in all three counties as part of Governor Markell’s effort to improve Delaware’s regulatory climate and to streamline or eliminate unnecessary regulations.

The Department’s public hearings are being conducted in connection with Governor Markell’s Executive Order No. 36, a statewide review by all agencies to identify and remove regulatory hurdles. The Department’s hearings are scheduled for:

  • Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at Sussex Central High School, 26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown, DE 19947
  • Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at Delaware State University, Bank of America Building, Longwood Auditorium, 1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901
  • Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. at the Carvel State Office Building, 2nd Floor Auditorium, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

“Governor Markell is committed to a thorough reevaluation of state regulations, clearly demonstrated by his signing of Executive Order 36.” said Secretary of State Jeffrey W. Bullock.  “It is very important to us that members of the public provide feedback on current regulations that they think should be modified or eliminated. We welcome them to either attend one of our public hearings or use the online submission form.”

The online submission form is located at http://sos.delaware.gov. Comments will be accepted through March 1, 2013.

Executive Order 36 provides an opportunity for state agencies to review regulations on their books, and streamline or eliminate those that are outdated, inconsistent or no longer serve their intended purpose. After formal comment, the  Department will consider the input received and change or remove regulations accordingly. The Governor will submit a report to the General Assembly detailing the regulatory changes in all state agencies in June 2013.


Public Input Regarding OMB Regulations Will Be Accepted Through December 1

DOVER – The Delaware Office of Management and Budget (OMB) today issued a reminder to Delaware business owners and other interested stakeholders that it is still accepting public comment under Governor Markell’s Executive Order 36, which requires agencies to identify unnecessary or overly burdensome regulations to be streamlined or eliminated.

OMB announced that public comments will be accepted online and by mail through December 1. Individuals who wish to submit comments may do so using the agency’s online submission form. Comments may also be mailed to Office of Management and Budget, c/o Jessica Eisenbrey, 122 William Penn Street, Ste. 301, Dover, DE 19901.

Executive Order 36 is a mechanism for agencies to review existing regulations and eliminate outdated or inconsistent regulations or ones that no longer serve their purpose. OMB held public hearings in each county on September 27, October 4 and October 11.

After December 1, the agency will consider the input received and streamline or change regulations accordingly. In June 2013, the Governor’s Office will submit a report to the General Assembly detailing the regulatory changes made by each agency.


State offices closed until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday

DOVER – The closing of State of Delaware offices has been extended until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30th. Non-essential employees are not to report to work for this period. Essential employees are to report as scheduled.