In his weekly message, Governor Markell recognizes organizations throughout the state that help people in need, as well as the individuals who volunteer their time and talents.
“Volunteering offers a sense of purpose and has shown to make us healthier too,” said Governor Markell. “Through volunteerism, we help ensure that assistance is there for our neighbors and communities when they need it – and that keeps Delaware moving forward.”
Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/cXCtocANEVg
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
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Full text of Message:

The most important measure of progress for our state is whether we give as many Delawareans as possible the best chance to reach their potential. And government has an important role: ensuring access to a high quality education, protecting health, making our communities safer. But we must also recognize the vital efforts of our non-profit community and other organizations that help people in need and improve our quality of life.

I’ve been amazed and grateful for the work of initiatives like Project Renewal, which has renovated and refurbished Boys and Girls Clubs that serve low-income youth, and Habitat Humanity, which provides affordable housing for struggling families. Their success, and the success of hundreds of other programs, is a result of thousands of hours donated by generous Delawareans. We recognized some of their extraordinary work at the state’s annual Volunteer Service Awards, which showcased people like Marilee Bradley. For 45 years she has been dedicated to the Stockley Center in Georgetown, advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. At 92, she is still actively raising funds for projects and awareness about the center.  Other honorees are helping people recover from addiction, raising awareness about Alzheimer’s; working at free tax clinics; providing free legal aid to disabled veterans, and much more.

Volunteer opportunities exist for everyone to tap into their individual strengths. I urge you to get involved by visiting https://volunteer.delaware.gov. And remember those you help will not be the only ones who benefit. Volunteering offers a sense of purpose and has shown to make us healthier too. Through volunteerism, we help ensure that assistance is there for our neighbors and communities when they need it. And that keeps Delaware moving forward.

Dover, DE) – In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights efforts focused on evaluating student-readiness among children entering kindergarten and its impact on their long-term success.

“When we ensure kids have a great start to their education, we give them the best chance to reach their potential and contribute their talents in our communities,” said Governor Markell. “And for many years to come, that will keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/zHWqmdkuNb8
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/governormarkell
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FULL TEXT OF MESSAGE

As we work to grow the economy and build on the thousands of new jobs created this year, we also have a responsibility to ensure Delaware keeps getting stronger for generations to come. One of the keys to success will be the early education opportunities our children receive.

Research has shown that when they arrive in kindergarten ready to learn, kids are much more likely to thrive in school and even in their future careers. It’s why we have made it a priority to increase access to high quality early learning and offer more support to early childhood centers. That initial investment was important.

Last year the number of low-income children attending a high quality program increased by 50 percent. Now we must sustain our momentum. Soon we will understand better than ever before how our children are developing during their pre-school years. That’s a result of a statewide survey of students’ abilities when they enter kindergarten. Michelle Wilson at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Dover, along with 80 percent of Delaware kindergarten teachers, are taking note of how students interact with their peers, whether they follow directions, and if they speak clearly, among other signs of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Next year, 100 percent of kindergarten classes will participate. The results will help early childhood centers recognize the areas in which kids need more support to be ready for school. And the state will make the most effective use of our resources.

When we ensure kids have a great start to their education, we give them the best chance to reach their potential and contribute their talents in our communities. And for many years to come, that will keep Delaware moving forward.

Wilmington –  As a guest host for the Governor’s weekly message, Delaware Children’s Department Secretary Jennifer Ranji discusses a statewide effort to place licensed mental health professionals into middle schools.

“We know the middle school years can be especially challenging for our youth as they  face new academic and social pressures when they enter adolescence,” said Governor Markell. “By giving our students the support they need to overcome their challenges, we’ll help them thrive in school and achieve a bright future, and that will keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/W4_h2GWzTLs
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/governormarkell

FULL TEXT OF MESSAGE

We know the middle school years can be especially challenging for our youth as they face new academic and social pressures when they enter adolescence. Until last year, Delaware’s elementary and high school students had someone at school to talk to if they felt overwhelmed, but middle school students did not.  That’s why Governor Markell proposed and the General Assembly approved $3.3 Million to place licensed mental health professionals into middle schools throughout the state.

We have implemented the program in 30 middle schools this year, providing screening, counseling, referral services, and much more for our students. The need for these Behavioral Health Consultants is clear. Last spring they completed over 2000 consultations, based on referrals from school personnel, parents, and even student themselves. Students are actively engaged in group therapy and hands on activities with professionals like Lisa Groak at Springer Middle who facilitates group sessions about the anxiety of transitioning to middle school. Students at Chipman, Postlethwait and Laurel Middle have taken nature walks to conduct team building and trust exercises and to show how outdoor activities and exercise can help with stress relief.

Importantly, our Behavioral Health Consultants also communicate with families, even making home visits to ensure parents are engaged. We’re pleased that these professionals have been met with support and positive feedback from school administration and staff, as well as from students and parents.

By giving our students the support they need to overcome their challenges, we’ll help them thrive in school and achieve a bright future.  And that will keep Delaware moving forward.

Dover – In his weekly message, Governor Markell announces the application process is open for cities and towns to participate in the Downtown Development Districts program, with applications due by November 1.

“Downtown Development Districts will spur private capital investment in commercial business districts, stimulate job growth, help build a stable community of long term residents by improving housing opportunities; and strengthen our neighborhoods,” said Governor Markell. “By spurring economic activity in our downtowns, Delaware will attract more talented people, innovative small businesses and residents from all walks of life. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.”

Created by Senate Bill 191 and funded in the FY 2015 Bond Bill at $7 million, the initiative provides economic development and other incentives that promote revitalization of downtown areas and surrounding neighborhoods selected through the application process. Localities will be able to apply to have a portion of their city, town, or unincorporated area designated as a Downtown Development District (DDD).  Applications are available online and will be evaluated using three main criteria: (1) need; (2) the quality of the development plan submitted by the applicant; and (3) local incentives offered. The Governor will select at least one but no more than three Districts this year. Under the program, the first three Districts must include one District in each county.

Following designation, investors in the selected Districts will be entitled to grants of up 20 percent of their construction costs. Grants will be available for all types of projects (residential, commercial, and mixed-use), and may be used by for-profit builders and investors, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and homeowners. The grants will be administered by the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA). In addition, several state agencies will offer targeted incentives in DDDs to improve neighborhoods, enhance economic development, and otherwise enhance quality of life in these Districts.

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/ccIjttp15hE
Delaware.Gov:  http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell
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Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message  Spurring Economic Activity through Downtown Development Districts

“Our continued economic success is dependent on ensuring individuals and businesses can grow and thrive in safe and vibrant communities across our state. That was the motivation behind a proposal we unveiled this spring to create Downtown Development Districts in every county in the next few years. These designated areas would offer affordable residential, commercial, and industrial development, while using historic preservation tax credits and prioritizing state projects that will help revitalize and reinvigorate the communities.

To ensure this program gets off to a good start, we asked municipal officials and other community leaders to lend their insight and expertise. Their feedback is incorporated into the final application for cities and towns, which is now available online at stateplanning.delaware.gov/DDD. Applications are due by November 1st and the Office of State Planning stands ready to assist applicants with any questions they may have.

Through this program, we have the opportunity to generate a surge of cultural, real estate, and business activity that could jumpstart underdeveloped areas of our cities. Downtown Development Districts will spur private capital investment in commercial business districts, stimulate job growth, help build a stable community of long term residents by improving housing opportunities; and strengthen our neighborhoods.

By spurring economic activity in our downtowns, Delaware will attract more talented people, innovative small businesses and residents from all walks of life. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.”

DOVER – In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights efforts to strengthen Delaware’s schools by reforming the State’s teacher compensation system.

 “We can only strengthen our schools if we attract and retain more great teachers. But saying so is the easy part. To make that a reality requires significant changes to a long established compensation system – a system that offers too little financial support for those entering the profession and only rewards teachers for years of experience and obtaining academic credits and degrees.

Legislation passed this year provides an unprecedented opportunity to change the status quo by setting a new framework for teacher salaries. A group is now hammering out details of a plan that will raise starting salaries, while creating leadership opportunities that pay more, especially in high needs schools. If we get it right, we’ll retain more teachers like John Sell, Delaware’s 2013 Teacher of the Year, who left his teaching job at Sussex Tech to become an administrator because it was the only way to move up. And like Delaware State Education Association President Frederica Jenner, who excelled at teaching science at H.B. DuPont for decades, but never had the chance earn more pay despite additional responsibilities she assumed to help her colleagues.

This past week, I had the chance to meet with our districts’ teachers of the year about ways the state can better support them. They and so many of their colleagues spend countless hours helping students after school and working to improve lesson plans. They didn’t choose their career for the money, but they deserve a compensation system that respects the work they do. It will mean more great teaching in our schools and better opportunities for our students, and that will keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/oVlmAjv_zpQ
Delaware.Gov:  http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/governormarkell