Wilmington – A massive recruitment effort is now underway to fill 30 positions for Behavioral Health Consultants (BHCs) in middle schools statewide. The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) through its Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (PBHS), has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to fill these positions in response to funding made available by the General Assembly through Governor Jack Markell’s budget initiatives to expand access to mental health services for children.

“We owe it to our youth to ensure they have access to the services they need to get the most out of their school experience,” said Governor Markell. “The work of our Behavioral Health Consultants is vital to our mission of giving every Delawarean the best chance to reach their potential. These specialists will fill a critical gap in services and provide help to children at a vulnerable time in their young lives.”

While many Delaware elementary schools have Family Crisis Therapists and high schools have Wellness Centers where children can access help, middle schools have lacked similar supports. In his State of the State, Markell emphasized the “huge gap in our care for adolescents” and asked the General Assembly to help him address this need. The budget funded his proposed ten-fold increase in the number of trained, front line mental health personnel in our middle schools.

BHCs are highly trained and licensed mental health professionals. They provide suicide risk assessments, substance abuse and trauma screening, short-term individual and family counseling, training and consultation for parents, teachers and administrators, and referrals to longer term treatment in the community. As part of the RFP, PBHS is also looking for a Contract Manager to oversee the program along with three County Coordinators. Applications are due by September 12th.

Lt. Governor Matt Denn worked with the Governor and DSCYF to champion this initiative which will place at least one BHC in every school district in Delaware. “Every step we take brings us closer to helping students in need, so I am hopeful that the RFP process brings us quality candidates who can get into schools quickly in order to start making a difference,” said Lt. Governor Denn.

A Delaware Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed the need for middle school students’ access to mental health services through the following data: Over 20% of Middle school students reported having seriously considered suicide at some point in their life; 33% reported using alcohol; 14% reported having used drugs.

DSCYF Secretary Jennifer Ranji says, “The pre-teen, years can be very challenging for our young people. Negative behaviors that stem from an inability to cope with those challenges can result in family stress and suspension or expulsion from school – changes that can impact a child for a lifetime. The BHCs will help us identify at risk children earlier than before, so that we can provide appropriate interventions, and improve the number of positive and successful outcomes for these youth”.

The RFP and application instructions can be found on the DSCYF website at www.kids.delaware.gov, or the State bid website at www.bids.delaware.gov under the title of Behavioral Health Services. Questions should be directed to H. Ryan Bolles, DSCYF Procurement Administrator, at herbert.bolles@delaware.gov or (302) 633-2701.

The Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance problems, have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. For more information, please visit www.kids.delaware.gov.

Wilmington – For the third consecutive summer, hundreds of children in the city of Wilmington will have a safe place to hang out at night. The Delaware Children’s Department’s Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (PBHS), is providing nearly $200,000 in funding to nine city community centers this year, allowing them to extend their operating hours through September, and provide prevention programming.

“After-school and summer programs positively affect the well-being of our youth and help prevent risky behaviors,” said Governor Markell. “By providing kids with opportunities to be active, we help keep them safe and engaged in a variety of activities they may not otherwise experience.”

The extended Hours Program is designed to address violence occurring within the city by providing a safe haven for youth who might otherwise be out on the street, as well as age appropriate services and prevention programming. During the summer and early fall of 2012, more than 6,500 youth participated in the extended hours service, doubling the number of youth served the previous year. Youth participated in suicide awareness, anti-bullying, substance abuse prevention, character building, technology classes, and organized sports.

“We’re pleased to again be able to provide this opportunity for youth to have a safe and structured place to enjoy the summer months,” said Jennifer Ranji, Secretary of the Children’s Department. “It’s important for children to have the opportunity to interact with other children, to play, grow and thrive in a positive setting.”

“The Extended Hours program also provides youth with opportunities to receive prevention messages, as well as another outlet for accessing or being connected to mental health services if needed,” said Susan Cycyk, Director of PBHS.

The following nine organizations have been funded to provide extended hours: the Fraims Boys & Girls Club, Girls Inc., Latin American Community Center (LACC), William Hicks Anderson, West End Neighborhood, YMCA, Wilmington Police Athletic League (PAL), Kingswood, Neighborhood House. PBH is also funding the KiVa anti bullying program, which will be offered through the University of Delaware in seven of the centers to date.

The Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance problems, and/or have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. For more information, please visit www.kids.delaware.gov.

Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Keeps Core Commitments to Education, Public Safety and Healthcare; Lowers Current Personal Income Tax Rate

New Initiatives Focus on Expanding Services for Youth and Enhancing School Safety

DOVER – Governor Jack Markell unveiled a balanced budget proposal that invests in jobs, education and the safety and well-being of our children. His budget keeps the focus on core commitments such as healthcare and public safety and ensures continued fiscal responsibility.

“We want to make sure we are growing jobs while ensuring the safety and well-being of our children,” Governor Markell said. “This budget addresses critical needs of the world we now live in, while considering demands that will be placed on us in the years ahead.”

The Governor expanded on a series of proposals from his State of the State aimed at ensuring Delaware’s children are fully supported within their communities and exposed to positive opportunities. Specifically, he recommended $3.3 million in funding to increase the number of trained, front-line mental health personnel in our middle schools – an area currently under-resourced, with just three of Delaware’s middle schools having full-time professionals responsible for the mental health needs of students. This budget would increase that number to 30.

“I am proposing a ten-fold increase in the availability of mental health professionals who can work with our middle school children to make sure that their issues are being diagnosed and referred to proper treatment,” said Governor Markell.

An additional $2.2 million investment in statewide targeted prevention programs for youth.

“Research tells us by investing in after-school and summer programs, we can improve academic performance, reduce dropout rates, improve self-esteem and prevent risky behaviors,” Governor Markell said. “By funding these initiatives, we address a critical gap in services for children and help ensure they are given the best chance at growing up to be healthy, successful, productive adults.”

The Governor proposes an allocation of $300,000 to accelerate development of school safety plans and $530,000 to hire six Delaware State Police Troopers to fight violent crime; $515,000 to the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families to support youth aging out of foster care; and $93,000 to the Delaware National Guard for its Youth Challenge program, which helps 16-18 year old high school dropouts gain the values, life skills, education and self-discipline they need to succeed.

While the Governor’s new initiatives represent just .194% budget growth, the recommended budget furthers the Governor’s priorities of stronger schools and job growth.

The budget proposal includes significant investments in public education, including $8.7 million for 110 new teacher units in schools, $8.5 million for step increases for school employees and $1.5 million to annualize salary increases for paraprofessionals. The recommended capital budget dedicates $99.0 million for construction projects in school districts throughout the state.

“Investing in education remains a guiding principle of our budgeting strategy,” said Governor Markell. “We must continue to strengthen our schools and prepare students to be in the workforce of tomorrow.”

The Governor also highlighted efforts by State agencies to govern responsibly through efficiencies and reductions.

“As the demands on state government increase and out year revenue forecasts decrease, we must remain fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars,” said Office of Management and Budget Director Ann Visalli.

The Governor has proposed reducing personal income tax rates and other revisions to the series of revenue increases enacted in 2009 that are scheduled to sunset. These revisions are aimed at relieving the burden on small businesses and manufacturers while stabilizing the state’s revenue base for Fiscal Year 2014 and beyond.   If the current tax sunsets are allowed to take effect, the state could face a projected revenue shortfall of $266M in FY2015.  The governor’s proposal helps address that shortfall while reducing current tax rates on individuals and small businesses.

“The tax proposals are aimed at stabilizing our revenue situation this fiscal year while being mindful of the need to consider challenges we face beyond the upcoming fiscal year,” said Tom Cook, State Secretary of Finance.  “If we let taxes completely sunset, we will likely face a formidable fiscal problem in FY15.”

The specific proposals include:

• Personal Income Tax – Already reduced in 2012, the Governor’s proposal reduces the top personal income tax rate again. In 2009, the top personal income tax marginal rate (on income above $60,000) was increased from 5.95% to 6.95%. Effective January 2012, that rate was reduced to 6.75%. The Governor proposes dropping that rate to 6.6%. (Effective January 1, 2014)
  • The proposed top rate of 6.6% is still among the most competitive in the region:
    • New Jersey = 8.97%
    • Maryland (Including counties) = 8.625%
    • Washington, DC = 8.5%

• Gross Receipts Tax – In 2009, the gross receipts tax increased 8% across all business categories. Effective January 2012, rates were reduced by 3%, and the monthly exclusion was increased from $80,000/month to $100,000/month, removing 330 businesses from the tax rolls. The Governor proposes cutting the tax on manufacturers by 30% and dropping the gross receipts tax for all other businesses by another 1%, while maintaining the more generous $100,000 exclusion. (Effective January 1, 2014)

The Governor’s gross receipts tax package supports two of Delaware’s most critical economic drivers – small businesses and manufacturing. Compared to the original sunset proposal, small businesses fare better under the Governor’s package:

§         For example, businesses in the service sector with annual receipts under $7.6 million pay less under the Governor’s proposal; and

§         Businesses with annual receipts under $1.2 million generally pay no tax.

• Corporate Franchise Tax – In 2009, the corporate franchise top tax rate increased from $165,000 to $180,000. The Governor proposes keeping the current tax rate in place.

• Estate Tax – The Governor proposes lifting the sunset. Under the Governor’s proposal, farms in the Aglands Preservation program will still be excluded from the tax.  In 2011, the estate tax exemption increased from $3.5 million to $5.12 million.

The Fiscal Year 2014 Recommended Operating Budget totals $3,712.0 million. The proposed Fiscal Year 2014 Recommended Bond and Capital Improvements Act totals $423.5 million and includes $239.3 million in State agency capital projects and $184.2 million in Transportation projects. The Governor also set aside $43.0 million for Grants-in-Aid.

A power point of the proposal is available online: http://budget.delaware.gov/fy2014/budget_presentation.pdf.

A supplemental document for the Capital Budget is also available online: http://budget.delaware.gov/fy2014/capital/cap_budget_supplement.pdf

 

Mental Health Concerns, School Safety, Gun Laws

(Wilmington, DE) The Governor issued the following statement in response to troubling questions raised by the Connecticut school shooting :

As the father of two, I, like so many others around the country, have spent the last few days thinking about the issues that this awful incident raises. In homes, in businesses and in government, we are having conversations about what this means and what we need to do. What is clear is that we have a culture of violence in this country, coupled with ready access to guns, and we continue as a society to fail adolescents struggling with mental illness.  That reality is deeply concerning to me, as I know it is to others.  I see three areas of discussion taking place:

Mental Health

When skilled mental health professionals are present in the schools, they provide the best possible opportunity we have to identify young people who are in need of services and to connect those young people and their families with appropriate services.  We must work to remove more of the stigma associated with mental illness and recognize it for the disease that it is.  Access to treatment is critical, and my administration is preparing plans to expand that access, especially for children and teens.

School Safety

This year we created a new statewide protocol for comprehensive school safety plans in every public school.  Schools are now in the process, working with the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and with local emergency responders, of creating those plans.  To date, 30 schools have completed these plans and we have funded creation of school safety plans for the next 50 schools.  We need to make sure that we complete the effort to have comprehensive school safety plans completed for all schools. And it is important to recognize – and this is already inherent in the plans that are being created — that teachers and school officials are going to be the true first responders in an incident like this.

Guns Laws

In 2011, I proposed, and the General Assembly passed bills designed to strengthen enforcement around existing gun laws, including legislation to make sure Delaware does its part to keep those with disqualifying mental illnesses from obtaining guns. I am on the record as supporting  a ban on assault weapons with large magazines. As we move forward, I think and hope there are measures that reasonable gun owners can agree with — and in fact have started to voice support for in the last few days.

As we talk about access to mental health, and school safety, and access to guns, we also need to talk about family and social responsibility.  Too many kids are spending countless hours on video games and television shows and movies that glorify violence and treat human life as cheap and dispensable.  As parents, we need to exercise judgment.   As a society, we need to provide young people with other opportunities that will teach them to value themselves rather than devalue others.

These are the areas we need to discuss as a state – and in which we need to do a better a job for our citizens and our kids.