Wilmington – Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Rita Landgraf has been chosen to serve on the new U.S. Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez announced Monday.

Landgraf, who has spent more than 30 years of her career in support of individuals with disabilities, served as a key adviser to Gov. Jack Markell during his yearlong initiative as Chair of the National Governors Association to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  The Governor’s 2012-2013 initiative, “A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities,” culminated with the release of a blueprint for his fellow governors specifically focused on the role that state governments and businesses can play in creating more employment opportunities for people with disabilities and on improving employment outcomes. Landgraf continues to work with the Governor to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Delaware’s private, nonprofit and public sectors.

“I am thrilled Secretary Perez has chosen Rita to serve on this new advisory committee,” Governor Markell said. “She is an ideal choice to move this work forward on a national level because she never forgets that, at its core, this is about people and the talents and skills they can share with others in the workplace. As the employment picture continues to improve nationwide, it is important we find additional ways to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. With Rita’s knowledge and experience, she is uniquely qualified to do just that.”

Under Governor Markell’s leadership and in partnership with the business community, Delaware reported an 8.6 percent increase in active employment for individuals with disabilities from 2011 to 2013. Markell also has made hiring of people with disabilities a priority for state government using hiring practices and programs to increase employment levels.

After the University of Delaware, in collaboration with the State of Delaware, conducted a comprehensive survey of state employees in 2013, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) identified two key areas for training: disability awareness among all employees, and refinement of state hiring practices and systems in order to recruit more qualified applicants with disabilities. An online class, “Focus on Ability,” became available to all state employees in October 2014. A classroom training program for managers and supervisors will begin this year.

Secretary Landgraf, who has served as DHSS Cabinet Secretary since January 2009, is the former executive director of The Arc of Delaware and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Delaware. She also served as president of AARP Delaware. She was nominated to serve on the U.S. Advisory Committee by the National Disability Institute and received a letter of recommendation from Governor Markell.

“I was honored to be nominated by the National Disability Institute and to be supported by Governor Markell, and I am equally honored to be selected to serve by Secretary Perez,” Secretary Landgraf said. “My entire career has been motivated by this deeply rooted belief: We all benefit when individuals with disabilities are able to share their gifts and talents with others and vice versa. We know that too often what separates people with disabilities from the rest of the population is financial security. I believe, as the Governor does, that individuals with disabilities should not have to choose between meaningful employment and retaining the supports and services they receive through Medicaid and other government programs. I look forward to advising Secretary Perez on ways to advance employment opportunities across the country for individuals with disabilities.”

The new U.S. Advisory Committee is a key provision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed into law by President Barack Obama in July 2014. The law supports job seekers, including individuals with disabilities, access services to succeed in employment and matches employers with skilled workers. The committee will advise the U.S. Secretary of Labor on ways to increase competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities.

Integrated employment refers to jobs held by people with disabilities in workplace setting where the majority of employees do not have disabilities. In these jobs, individuals with disabilities earn wages consistent with those paid workers with disabilities performing the same or similar work, making at least minimum wage and are paid directly by their employer.

Secretary Landgraf is one of 17 selected members of the committee chosen from more than 280 nominations nationwide. Seven federal officials will also serve on the committee. Other members represent:

• Self-advocates for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities;

• Providers of employment services, including those who employ individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in competitive integrated employment;
• Representatives of national disability advocacy organizations;
• Experts with a background in academia or research in employment and wage policy issues for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities;
• Representatives of the employer community;
• Other individuals with expertise on increasing opportunities for competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

The first meeting of the committee will take place Jan. 22-23 at the U.S. Access Board in Washington. More information about the committee, its members, and upcoming meetings can be found at: http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/WIOA.htm.

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NEW CASTLE – With a winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds and falling temperatures overnight into Monday, Code Purple locations have been established across Delaware to help people who are homeless find shelter. The duration of the shelters are subject to weather conditions and the resources of the coordinating agency or place of worship.

People with emergency housing needs are encouraged to call 2-1-1 to be directed to the most appropriate shelter or service.

NEW CASTLE COUNTY

Wilmington

The Salvation Army activates Code Purple when necessary. On Sunday night, the Salvation Army shelter, 400 N. Orange St., will be open. Men will be provided a cot set-up in the gymnasium and women will be provided accommodation in the women’s shelter. An evening snack and continental breakfast will be served.

On Monday and Tuesday, Friendship House will enact Code Purple. Volunteers provide soup and sandwiches. Friendship House provides hot beverages, paper and cleaning products. The shelter will be open each day from 1 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, 720 N. Orange St., Wilmington.

After 8:30 p.m., those at the sanctuary will go to the Salvation Army shelter, 400 N. Orange St. Men will be provided a cot set-up in the gymnasium and women will be provided accommodation in the women’s shelter. An evening snack and continental breakfast will be served.

For more information about Code Purple nights, call Bill Perkins at (302) 559-5716.

Newark

A coalition of 10 Newark faith communities offers emergency sanctuary from dusk to dawn (6 p.m.-6 a.m.). Eight local churches rotate in serving as the host site. Volunteers from local faith communities and community organizations support guests who are homeless in a church common room with access to bathrooms, a light evening meal, hot beverages and blankets.

Those in the Newark area who are in need of sanctuary from the cold weather are encouraged to call (302) 544-0165, and sign up for services with the Newark Empowerment Center. The center’s office hours are 1-4 p.m. The host overnight sanctuary locations for the Newark Empowerment Center are:

• Monday (March 3): Newark United Methodist Church, 69 E. Main St., Newark. Doors open at 6 p.m.
• Tuesday (March 4): First Presbyterian Church, 292 W. Main St., Newark. Doors open at 6 p.m.
• Wednesday (March 5): St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 701 S. College Ave., Newark. Doors open at 6 p.m.

KENT COUNTY

Women and children can receive Code Purple shelter and food at Shepherd Place, 1362 Governors Ave., Dover, starting Sunday, March 2, until the weather breaks. Eight cots, plus crib and bassinet are available. Doors open for 5 p.m. dinner. The shelter is in need of volunteers, food and meal planning, and additional supplies.

Men can receive Code Purple shelter and food at Mt. Carmel Church, 117 N. West St., Dover, starting Sunday, March 2, until the weather breaks. Fifteen cots are available. Doors open for 5 p.m. dinner. The shelter is in need of volunteers, food and meal planning, and additional supplies.

SUSSEX COUNTY

On Sunday, March 2, people in need of overnight sanctuary are encouraged to go to Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach. Starting Monday and continuing through Thursday, the shelter will move to Faith United Methodist Church, 37439 Oyster House Road, Rehoboth Beach. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The facility does not have the capacity to house families; only single individuals can be hosted at this time. For more information, call Nan Ruhl, director of Immanuel Shelter, at (302) 604-2619.

Ruhl said the overnight sanctuary would take individuals who are homeless in Kent County or elsewhere who can get to the shelter.

CENTRALIZED INTAKE: HOMELESS PREVENTION RESPONSE SYSTEM

Centralized Intake is a statewide program that provides an efficient and effective process for assessing individuals and families who are experiencing a housing crisis, identifying the most appropriate housing intervention needed to end their episode of homelessness, and referring them to crisis services and/or shelter to meet their immediate needs.

Anyone experiencing a housing crisis is urged to call 2-1-1.  The operator will ask a few questions to determine if they would benefit from prevention services in the community or if they need to be assessed by a housing specialist.

NEW CASTLE – Beginning July 1, the Delaware Medical Assistance Program will reimburse for telemedicine-delivered services provided to Delaware Medicaid clients in order to improve access to behavioral health services and general health care services, including medical subspecialties not widely available in the state.

The State Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance, which administers Medicaid in Delaware, will reimburse for telemedicine-delivered services provided by an originating site. An originating site provider is the facility where the telemedicine space and equipment is located and where the patient receives the medical service provided by the consulting or distant provider. Originating site providers may be hospitals, federally qualified health centers, skilled nursing facilities, mental health and substance abuse centers, public health clinics, PACE centers, etc. Consulting or distant site providers deliver medical services which can include consultations, office or outpatient visits, psychotherapy, medication management, psychiatric interview or examination, substance abuse screening and brief interventions, neurobehavioral examination, end stage renal disease services, medical nutrition therapy and more.

The originating site will be paid a facility fee for the telemedicine space and equipment, and the consulting services will be reimbursed as if delivered face-to-face. For services to be covered, both the distant provider and the originating site provider must be enrolled in the Delaware Medical Assistance Program or in one of the program’s managed care organizations (MCOs). Most individuals covered by Medicaid receive services through a managed care delivery system, and the individual’s MCO will primarily cover the telemedicine-delivered services.

Telemedicine is the use of telecommunication and information technologies to provide clinical health care at a distance. It is a cost-effective alternative to face-to-face encounters where access to care is restricted because of the lack of available service providers in the patient’s geographical location. It also is used to save lives in critical care and emergency situations.

“Telemedicine will improve access to information and medical care for Delawareans, especially for people in rural areas of our state and for seniors who can’t travel as easily to medical appointments,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “For many people, it means more immediate access to the care of a specialist. Timely and proper medical care leads to better health outcomes for patients and reduced costs for hospitalizations and transportation.”

Rita Landgraf, secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, which oversees the Delaware Medical Assistance Program, said telemedicine also will help the state continue its transformation of the mental health system.

“With a shortage of psychiatrists in Kent and Sussex counties, telepsychiatry will help improve the access to care and provide it more quickly for individuals who need it,” Landgraf said. “When it comes to the sometimes difficult things that individuals need to talk about, many consumers are quite receptive to telemedicine. To patients, it can seem less threatening and, therefore, more conducive to openness.”

Landgraf said telemedicine also could be used to help in the care and treatment of such conditions as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, post-stroke, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and many more.

According to the American Telemedicine Association, more than 10 million Americans now are benefiting directly from telemedicine each year.

DOVER – At a recognition luncheon Thursday in Dover, Gov. Jack Markell joined Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf in honoring Delaware’s 280 Foster Grandparents for mentoring at-risk children across the state.

Last year, Foster Grandparents served 1,700 children at 100 volunteer sites. In thanking the volunteers, Gov. Markell said their service totaled 252,865 hours, or the equivalent of 29 years. About 350 people attended the 45th annual recognition at Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center.

Foster Grandparents, who are 55 or older, spend 15 to 40 hours per week mentoring, supporting and helping vulnerable children.

“Some of the most critical volunteer hours that our older volunteers serve are on behalf of our state’s youngest residents,” Landgraf said. “As Foster Grandparents, you clearly are making a crucial difference in so many young lives.”

Among the honorees was 96-year-old Lottie Banks, who was celebrated for 30 years of service as a Foster Grandparent. She currently volunteers 20 hours a week at Community Day Nursery.

Joining Banks for special Foster Grandparent service awards were: Betty Atkinson, 20 years of service; and Ina Brokenbrough, Felix Marrero and Hazel Wilson, 15 years each.

U.S. Rep. John Carney received the Honorary Foster Grandparent Award for his work with young people, including as a mentor at Warner Elementary School, a volunteer basketball coach with the YMCA and the sponsor of a youth summer basketball league in Wilmington.

“The real recognition should go to the hundreds of Foster Grandparents around our state that dedicate their time and energy to improving the lives of young people,” Carney said in a statement. “Having mentored for many years, I can attest to the value that comes from providing care, love, and support to a young person.”

Honored Foster Grandparent locations were: Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center, 40 years as a volunteer station; Children’s Corner 1, 30 years; Sussex County Orthopedic Program and St. Michael’s School and Nursery, 25 years each; Kent County Community Action Agency Drop-a-Tot, 20 years; East Millsboro Elementary School and Lighthouse Christian Academy, 10 years each; and Bear Head Start, Milton Elementary School and Rehoboth Elementary School, five years each.

Delaware has one of the oldest Foster Grandparent Programs in the country with a charter that began in 1967.

Thursday’s luncheon took place during Senior Corps Week, May 7-11. The Seniors Corps is made up of volunteers 55 and older who serve in the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, the Senior Companion Program and the Foster Grandparent Program. Together, the 3,790 volunteers served almost 1 million hours last year on behalf of Delawareans.