Lake Forest School Counselor Delaware 2023 Behavioral Health Professional of the Year

A school counselor from the Lake Forest School District is the state’s 2023 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.

Dana Carey of Lake Forest North Elementary School said she makes sure her students know they are loved, cared for, and their basic needs are met.

“I have created positive relationships with my students by making meaningful connections I am a safe adult they can count on to listen to them, help them throughout their day, and be by their side when they need me,” Carey said. “I have sat by students’ sides when they have had to talk to community agencies, I have delivered food to their homes, and I have provided them with clothing and school supplies when their families were not able to do so on their own.”

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick and House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst made the surprise announcement at a statewide banquet honoring the 20 district and charter network behavioral health professionals of the year.

Carey said an initiative close to her heart has been making sure her students have food security. At the beginning of the school year she administered a school-wide assessment of students’ food needs and identified 75 students with food insecurity. She then partnered with the Food Bank of Delaware to set up a backpack site at the school. Each week as students prepare to be out of school for the weekend, the food bank provides the 75 students with two breakfast meals, two lunch meals, drinks and snacks. Carey checks in with the students every week as she delivers the food to them, and she also partners with the Felton United Methodist Church to provide families with additional food in emergencies.

In the fall she organized a school-wide food drive, collecting 1,600 non-perishable items to help stock the food pantries at the church and Lake Forest High School.

“My goal for this project is for my students to understand that we are a school family. We take care of and support each other to the best of our ability,” Carey said.  “In addition, we need to work together to give back to the community the best we can even when at times we struggle ourselves. Providing my students with community service opportunities promotes self-esteem and life satisfaction.”

Lake Forest North Elementary School Principal Erin Dotson called Carey a true leader.

“When Mrs. Carey isn’t handing out school supplies or dispersing food for students to have for the weekend, she is teaching social emotional learning classes, holding social groups and individual sessions with students. I have never met a kinder and more caring person,” Dotson said. “The students are her first priority. If she discovers a need for her students, she will do whatever it takes to assist.”

The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year (BHPY) program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:

  • School counselors
  • School social workers
  • Licensed clinical social workers
  • School psychologists
  • School nurses

From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network winner receives a $2,000 personal award from the winner’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State winners receive an additional $3,000 personal award from DDOE as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of his or her students.

Learn more about all the 2023 District/Charter Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year here.

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


School Behavioral Health Professionals to be Honored

School employees who support the mental health of Delaware students are being recognized for their work.

The state will name its 2023 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year at a statewide celebration on Thursday, June 8. Delaware’s 19 districts and the Delaware Charter School Network named local Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year for 2023. Following an application and interview process, one will be named the state honoree.

“Behavioral health professionals are critical to the success of our schools and communities,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “They often are working with our children and families when they are the most vulnerable. They help them navigate struggles and find the resources and supports they need to be healthy and successful in school and life.”

The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year (BHPY) program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:

  • School counselors
  • School social workers
  • Licensed clinical social workers
  • School psychologists
  • School nurses

From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network honoree receives a $2,000 personal award from the professional’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State honorees receive an additional $3,000 personal award from the department as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of the state honoree’s students.

 

The 2023 District/Charter Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year are:

*Appoquinimink School District: Carlton Adams (multiple sites, school social worker)

*Brandywine School District: Heather Richards (Harlan Elementary, school psychologist)

*Caesar Rodney School District: Emily White (Fifer Middle, mental health counselor)

*Cape Henlopen School District: Tara Gambale (Sussex Consortium, school psychologist)

*Capital School District: Jennifer Marciarello Benson**  (William Henry Middle, behavior interventionist)

*Christina School District: Trudy Small (Downes Elementary, school nurse)

*Colonial School District: Courtney Waters (New Castle Elementary, family support therapist)

*Delaware Charter School Network: Cynthia Hovan (Academy of Dover, school nurse)

*Delmar School District: Nicole LaPearl (Delmar Middle and High, school psychologist/special services coordinator)

*Indian River School District: Jessi Ford (Showell Elementary, school counselor)

*Lake Forest School District: Dana Carey (Lake Forest North Elementary, school counselor)

*Laurel School District: Sharon Dolby** (Laurel Elementary, school counselor)

*Milford School District: Ally Zanks (Lulu Ross Elementary, school counselor)

*New Castle County Vo-Tech School District: Mark W. Wells (district SEL coach/school counselor)

*POLYTECH School District: Ivy Truitt (POLYTECH High, school counselor)

*Red Clay Consolidated School District: Lauren Lee (multiple sites, school psychologist)

*Seaford School District: Evan Wagner (Blades Elementary, school counselor)

*Smyrna School District: Jessica Krambeck (Early Childhood Program, school psychologist)

*Sussex Technical School District: Catherine Schilling (Sussex Technical High, mental health counselor)

*Woodbridge School District: Trisha Stiles (Woodbridge High, school counselor)

**Not participating in state program

 

Find photos of the honorees online here.

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


Future Health Professionals to Represent Delaware at International Conference

More than 700 middle and high school students participated last week in the 12th annual HOSA State Leadership Conference. HOSA members earning a medallion qualify for the International Leadership Conference, which will be held June 21-24, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.

Delaware HOSA is a career and technical student organization dedicated to students who are interested in pursuing their future in a career in healthcare. Through HOSA-Future Health Professionals, more than 1,300 Delaware members have the opportunity to participate in career focused competitive events, take part in community service, and become leaders for the organization in their school, state, and at the international level.  HOSA-Future Health Professionals incorporates curricular and co-curricular experiences to emphasize the importance of knowledge, leadership, skill development, and teamwork.

A list of all state award winners and events and the video of the virtual awards ceremony is located at delawarehosa.org. To learn more about Delaware HOSA, please contact Peg Enslen by email at peggy.enslen@doe.k12.de.us.

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


DPH Community Assessments Underway To Inform State Health Improvement Plan

DOVER, DE (OCT. 27, 2022) – As part of the Delaware State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) will conduct a series of community health assessments. The health assessments will help improve understanding of the health concerns and needs of Delaware communities and to improve the future health in Delaware. DPH has partnered with the University of Delaware’s Epidemiology Program and Partnership for Healthy Communities to survey each of Delaware’s three counties. Teams of students and community members will go door-to-door to canvas households in each county. The program will provide incentives for completed surveys. 

The dates for canvassing to begin by county are: 

  • New Castle County – Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022 
  • Kent County – Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 
  • Sussex County – Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 

The community assessments are part of a broader and more comprehensive State Health Assessment (SHA) underway through 2023. It includes hosting community conversations across the state, gathering and analyzing existing data, and convening a collaborative coalition. 

“The State Health Assessment is the foundation for developing Delaware’s next SHIP,“ said DPH Interim Director Dr. Rick Hong“This information will describe the health of Delaware’s population and identify areas for health improvement, contributing factors that impact health outcomes, and community assets and resources that can mobilize to improve Delaware’s health over the next five years.” 

“We are excited to support the Delaware SHIP and appreciate the opportunities for our students to apply their skills in gathering, analyzing, and presenting health information, said Dr. Jennifer Horney, founding director of the Epidemiology Program at the University of Delaware. “Whether canvassing neighborhoods with community residents, facilitating a community conversation, or working alongside diverse stakeholders as part of a statewide coalition, our students are learning the importance and value of a health assessment and improvement process aimed at involving the community, stakeholders, and partners each step along the way.” 

A State Health Improvement Plan is a long-term, systematic plan to address the public health issues identified in the State Health Assessment. It reflects the public health system and its strategic priorities, the state’s demographics, and the community makeup. A SHIP addresses the highest health priorities of a state’s population. These priorities cover various public health issues such as access to healthcare, infant mortality, obesity, and tobacco prevention. 

To learn more about Delaware’s State Health Improvement Plan, visit https://delawareship.org

 

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The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH 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.  

  

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. 


Commissioner Navarro Signs Health Policy Letter to President-Elect Biden

Joins ten Insurance Commissioners in providing short- and long-term recommendations to the incoming administration

A group of the nation’s state insurance commissioners joined together in a pledge to work with President-elect Joe Biden by providing health policy recommendations to the incoming administration.

The commissioners share President-elect Biden’s vision that no American should have to go without health care coverage. They believe comprehensive and progressive health care is essential to addressing urgent public health priorities, such as the COVID-19 and opioid crises, addressing racial disparities in the health care system, and ensuring enforcement of mental health parity.

“President-elect Biden knows the healthcare needs of Delaware residents first-hand. So many of the healthcare challenges we face are being felt across the country, and I am proud to join Insurance Commissioners from coast to coast in recommending short and long-term policy solutions,” said Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro.

A letter sent by the group of commissioners detailed six immediate or critical policy recommendations and six longer-term recommendations for the Biden administration to consider.

Immediate policy recommendations

  • Ensure immediate access to the federal marketplace, Healthcare.gov, through a special enrollment period.
  • Provide immediate relief from Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidy clawbacks created by COVID-19 uncertainty.
  • Provide clarity on COVID-19 testing coverage requirements, especially in regard to tests that are ordered as part of state-based contact tracing efforts.
  • Partner with states in actively focusing on programs and practices that address the needs of historically marginalized communities.
  • Address problematic elements of the recently proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for Plan Year 2022.
  • Allow flexibility for states aiming to pursue progressive policy aims by empowering them to apply for ACA innovation waivers beyond reinsurance.

Longer-term policy priorities

  • Reverse policies, such as the weakening of non-discrimination protections and the public charge rule, that undermine the ACA and deny health care coverage to many people.
  • Encourage both people and small businesses to enroll in ACA programs, and stop encouraging enrollment in insurance plans that do not provide the ACA’s most critical consumer protections.
  • Improve income counting rules to allow consumers greater flexibility.
  • Extend premium tax credits to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients so that legally present noncitizens have access to health care coverage.
  • Modernize Department of Labor oversight of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to ensure all health insurance coverage is held to similar standards.
  • Consider a national reinsurance program to stabilize health insurance markets and improve affordability of health insurance coverage.

Enacting these policy recommendations will provide immediate relief to many Americans affected by the COVID-19 crisis, provide states with flexibility to strengthen health insurance markets, remove discriminatory barriers to health coverage, protect the coverage needs of Americans with pre-existing conditions, and ensure comprehensive health insurance access is available to all Americans.

The following state insurance commissioners developed these recommendations and are committed to working with the Biden administration on its national health care plan:
Commissioner Ricardo Lara, California
Commissioner Michael Conway, Colorado
Commissioner Trinidad Navarro, Delaware
Commissioner Colin M. Hayashida, Hawaii
Director Anita G. Fox, Michigan
Temporary Commissioner Grace Arnold, Minnesota
Commissioner Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon
Commissioner Jessica K. Altman, Pennsylvania
Health Insurance Commissioner Marie Ganim, Rhode Island
Commissioner Mike Kreidler, Washington
Commissioner Mark Afable, Wisconsin

View the Commissioners’ Letter