NEW CASTLE (July 26, 2018) – As part of the State Innovation Model (SIM) initiative, the Delaware Health Care Commission is seeking applications from Delaware health care providers for one-time, value-based payment reform mini-grants to grow their capacity to integrate data, improve the coordination of patient care or increase their readiness to integrate into a total cost of care or Alternative Payment Model (APM).

The Delaware Health Care Commission is prepared to award up to 10 applicants in amounts ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 through the Value-Based Payment Reform Fund for work that must be completed or services procured by Jan. 31, 2019. Mini-grant applicants must be primary care providers, behavioral health providers, hospitals, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or clinically integrated networks, and must be licensed in the State of Delaware. Bidders may apply for multiple projects. The Health Care Commission expects to award grants for small projects (up to $50,000) and large projects (up to $250,000), based on the scope of the project. Applications are due no later than Aug. 30.

“These one-time mini-grants offer a great opportunity for health care providers in Delaware to conduct pilot projects in the area of value-based payment reform,” said Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, a board-certified family physician. “To embrace this change, we urge providers to test out collaborations or partnerships in the areas of data integration, care coordination or readiness to integrate into an ACO or an Alternative Payment Method.”

“In our continuing work with the State Innovation Model, the Health Care Commission has embraced innovative ways to help practices succeed in the changing health care delivery environment,” said Dr. Nancy Fan, Chair of the Delaware Health Care Commission. “These mini-grants, along with the ongoing work through our practice transformation vendors, give us practical ways to help facilitate that change.”

Applications must be made in one of three areas:

• Data integration: Project must enhance the applicant’s data integration, clinical informatics or population-based analytics capabilities. Examples include data exchange infrastructure and analytics projects or support; data warehousing and reporting capacity; and development of data-sharing agreements.
• Improve the coordination of patient care: Project must enhance the applicant’s clinical integration. Examples include conducting data analytics and developing care guidelines for a primary care-based system of complex care management for high-risk population(s); implementing improvements in care transitions such as new business processes or mutual agreements with partner providers; and implementing a practice support call center.
• Increase readiness to integrate into an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) or operate through an Alternative Payment Method (APM): Project must develop, expand or enhance the applicant’s shared governance structures and organizational integration strategies, linking the applicant with ACO leadership and across the continuum of care with providers already contracted with an ACO. An example would be support to model costs of care in preparation for participation in value-based payment arrangements with multiple payers.

“The Delaware Center for Health Innovation (DCHI) is a public/private partnership, supporting innovative changes in the way health care is delivered and paid for in order to drive quality and better health for all in our state,” said Julane Miller-Armbrister, executive director of DCHI. “We encourage Delaware health care providers to apply for these mini-grants as a way to pilot their ideas for comprehensive reform.”

Applications will be evaluated and considered as they are received, with the final notifications of award coming by Sept. 30. For potential applicants, the Health Care Commission will host a Q&A session via conference call at 2 p.m. Aug. 9. Please email DHCC@delaware.gov for call-in information. All questions and final applications also must be submitted by email to DHCC@delaware.gov.

NEW CASTLE (May 3, 2018) – Ranking in the bottom half of states in a variety of health measures, including adults who smoke, annual diabetes treatment testing, and adults who are obese, Delaware fell four spots in The Commonwealth Fund’s 2018 Scorecard on State Health System Performance released today.

Delaware ranked 22nd among all the states on the more than 40 measures, which are divided among access to health care, quality of care, efficiency in care delivery, health outcomes and income-based health care disparities. Delaware’s worst trend was in deaths from suicide, alcohol and drug use increasing from 38.2 deaths per 100,000 population in 2013 to 49 deaths per 100,000 in 2016. Delaware ranked 31st in that category among the states.

On the positive side, Delaware ranked in the top five in three categories, including the top ranking for the lowest rate of deaths within 30 days of hospital discharge among Medicare beneficiaries. The state ranked third for the lowest rate of adults with a mental illness reporting an unmet need and fourth for the lowest rate of children ages 19-35 months who did not receive all recommended vaccines.

“This is another national health scorecard that indicates we are not a top state for overall health, despite being one of the top-ranked states in terms of per-capita health care spending,” said Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, a board-certified family physician. Last June, a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) analysis found that Delaware ranked third among the states for per-capita health care spending in 2014 at $10,254, or 27 percent above the U.S. average of $8,045. If that rate is maintained, CMS estimated that Delaware’s overall health care spending could double by 2025.

In September, Gov. John Carney signed House Joint Resolution 7 authorizing DHSS to develop a health care spending benchmark to bring transparency to how Delaware’s health care dollars are spent across the system – commercial insurers, Medicare and Medicaid. In February, Gov. Carney signed an Executive Order creating the Health Care Delivery and Cost Advisory Group to advise Secretary Walker on the creation of statewide health care spending and quality benchmarks.

“Across the health care spectrum, our goal is to examine health care costs and how to slow the growth of those costs, while improving the overall health of Delawareans at the same time,” Secretary Walker said. “The Commonwealth Fund rankings provide us with valuable insights into the areas where we need improved health outcomes.”
Dr. Karyl Rattay, director of DHSS’ Division of Public Health, said the rankings show there is more work to do to improve population health across the state. In a note of caution, Dr. Rattay said The Commonwealth Fund appeared to report Delaware’s infant mortality rate incorrectly at 9.1 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015. Dr. Rattay said Delaware’s rate peaked at 9.3 deaths per 1,000 live births for the five-year time period ending in 2005 and has declined to 7.5 deaths per 1,000 live births for the five-year time period ending in 2016. “Our rate is still significantly higher than the U.S. average of 5.9 deaths, with higher disparities among populations and in specific geographic areas,” she said.

“While we are pleased to see Delaware ranked sixth among the states in the broad category of prevention and treatment,” Dr. Rattay said, “the Commonwealth Fund’s results indicate the areas where we must seek further improvement, especially in the healthy lives and disparity indicators.”

In another national health scorecard released earlier this year, Delaware ranked 30th in United Health Foundation’s 2017 America’s Health Rankings Annual Report, exceeding the national average in drug deaths per 100,000 population, obesity and physical inactivity rates among adults, cancer deaths per 100,000, diabetes rate among adults and violent crime offenses per 100,000. Delaware’s 2017 ranking improved one spot from 2016.

To read The Commonwealth Fund’s 2018 Scorecard on State Health System Performance:
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/interactives/2018/may/state-scorecard/

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The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of life of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Dover- Principal Shan Green of Central Middle School proudly presented opening remarks at the kickoff of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens (GACEC) Heart 2 Heart Hugs warm clothing drive. The annual drive, in its 9th year, collects new warm items for the children in Delaware who are homeless, under housed, or in foster care. This years campaign is an initiative to collect a broader range of warm items. New items such as sleeping bags, coats, hats, sweatshirts and gloves that will bring warmth to a child in need.

“As the weather gets colder and the holiday’s approach, it is important we remember to help Delawareans most in need.” Said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “I’m proud to support he Heart 2 Heart Hugs campaign and its efforts to provide needed items to thousands of homeless and foster care children across the state.”

“Heart 2 Heart Hugs is a statewide drive that begins in November- with various organizations and companies throughout the state offering their time and resources to collect and deliver items to Delaware’s Nearly 5,000 children who are homeless, in foster care or under housed. Representative Harvey Kenton shared, “It was an honor and privilege to attend the Heart 2 Heart Hugs kickoff event today. Everyone deserves to have warm clothing and a hug. I encourage everyone to get involved…”

“Additionally, out of the nearly 5,000 children in Delaware who are homeless or in foster care, approximately one-third are children with disabilities,” explained Wendy Strauss, Director of GACEC which serves as the state advisory panel for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its amendments. “We connect hearts and collect hugs for children who are underprivileged.”

Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen, who has been involved with the drive for many years, shared “Heart 2 Heart Hugs is a program that for 9 years has warmed not only the children in need but also the hearts of those who embrace this cause. It helps each of us, young and old, to live the Golden Rule. I heartily encourage everyone to become a part of something bigger… by helping others.”

The warm clothing drive will collect new items through February 10, 2018. Drop off points are located throughout the state and can be found on the GACEC website at www.gacec.delaware.gov. Interested parties may also contact GACEC offices (302) 739-4553 for additional information a bout drop offs or about becoming a partner.

-Program contrasts the experiences of veterans returning from World War I with those of today-

(DOVER, Del.—June 12, 2017)—Richard Claypoole, Vietnam veteran and former director of the Office of the Federal Register at the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, will  facilitate “Coming Home, the Toll of War,” a program that explores the experiences of veterans returning home following World War I and how they compare with today’s veterans’ experience. The two-part program will take place on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, from 1 to 4:15 p.m., at the Lewes Public Library located at 111 Adams Ave. in Lewes, Del. Admission is free and open to the public. For additional information call 302-645-1148.

The agenda for the program is as follows:

Beginning at 1 p.m.
Part 1: “Soldier’s Home” by Ernest Hemingway
Discussion of Hemingway’s story found in “World War I and America: Told by the Americans Who Lived It.” This fictional context provides for a conversation regarding the lives of veterans returning home following World War I and how that compares with today’s veterans’ experience.

Reading material for the discussion may be obtained at the following Web address: http://history.delaware.gov/museums/zm/events/chautauqua/pdf/At_HomeClipped.pdf

Additional material regarding World War I in America can be found at the following: http://wwiamerica.org/wwi-writers-writings.php

Beginning at 2:45 p.m.
Part 2: “License to Remember”
Viewing and discussion of “License to Remember,” the Delaware Humanities Forum’s 17-minute film focusing on the homecoming reception received by some of Delaware’s Vietnam War veterans and how this experience of returning from war has changed in the last 100 years.

“Coming Home, the Toll of War” is a component program of Delaware’s 19th annual Chautauqua tent show, “Service, Suffrage, and Swing: World War I Era in Delaware,” that will take place at a variety of downtown Lewes, Del. locations from June 18–22, 2017. The five-day event is being held in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into the “war to end all wars” that was fought between 1914 and 1918. Except where noted, admission is free and open to the public. Go here for a complete listing of Chautauqua activities.

Service, Suffrage, and Swing: World War I Era in Delaware” is co-sponsored by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs and the Lewes Historical Society, and is partially funded by a grant from the Delaware Humanities Forum, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone: 302-736-7413
E-mail: Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web: http://history.delaware.gov

(DOVER, Del.—June 7, 2017)—In recent months, the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs has been working with partners from across the state on the development of Delaware’s next statewide historic preservation plan. As part of the process, the division has been gathering public input regarding issues and priorities facing historic places in the state.

Members of the public are urged to provide input for the preservation plan by taking the survey that can be accessed at the following web address: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DelawareHistoricPreservationPlanning2017.

The survey contains nine questions requiring approximately 15 minutes to complete. The deadline for completing the survey is Friday, June 30, 2017. For additional information, contact the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ State Historic Preservation Office at 302-736-7400.

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Contact:
Bev Laing
State Historic Preservation Office
Phone: 302-736-7437
E-mail: bev.laing@delaware.gov
Web: http://history.delaware.gov/preservation/index.shtml

Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone: 302-736-7413
E-mail: Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web: http://history.delaware.gov