Wilmington, – In his weekly message, filmed at Delaware College of Art and Design, Governor Markell discusses efforts to revitalize downtowns and surrounding neighborhoods in Delaware’s neediest areas through the Downtown Development District program. The first three designated districts were announced earlier this week.

“More Americans are seeking dynamic and exciting urban environments and our ability to continue to create opportunities for Delawareans will depend, in large part, on whether we meet these demands,” said Governor Markell. “We remain focused on ways to give our cities the best chance to thrive and see Downtown Development Districts as a key part of the solution. With the support of leadership in each of these districts, along the residents, businesses, and non-profit communities who live and work there, we can generate a surge of cultural, real estate, and business activity to jumpstart progress in areas that have long been overlooked, 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:

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Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
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Transcript of Governor Markell’s Weekly Message:  Growing the Economy by Strengthening Our Downtowns

 DDD Grant Program FAQ

Inaugural round of applications results in designation of one District in each county

Wilmington, DE – Following through on the state’s commitment to help revitalize downtowns and surrounding neighborhoods in Delaware’s neediest areas, Governor Markell today announced he has selected Seaford, Dover, and Wilmington for designation as Downtown Development Districts (DDDs). Under the DDD program, the first three DDDs must include one District in each county.

“The Downtown Development District program has generated a high level of enthusiasm and interest, and I was impressed by the overall quality of the applications submitted,” said Governor Markell. “In addition to demonstrating significant need, each of the winning applicants submitted thoughtful plans with detailed strategies to strengthen neighborhoods, spur private investment, and improve housing opportunities for residents of all walks of life. On behalf of the state, I look forward to working in partnership with the winning applicants as they make their plans a reality.”

The DDD program was created by legislation proposed by the Governor and passed unanimously by the General Assembly last year. Under the program, designated Districts will be entitled to receive significant development incentives and other benefits to spur investment and community development.

A total of nine localities applied to have a portion of their city, town, or unincorporated area designated as a DDD.  The applications were evaluated in accordance with three main criteria: (1) need and impact; (2) the quality of the district plan submitted by the applicant; and (3) local incentives offered.

Among other benefits, investors who make qualified real estate investments in DDDs will be entitled to receive grants of up to 20% of the cost of their investments. The DDD Grant program is modeled in part after a Virginia program that has proven successful in leveraging significant amounts of private investment in under-served areas.

The DDD Grant program, which was funded last year by a $7 million allocation by the General Assembly, will be administered by the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA). DSHA will begin accepting DDD Grant applications next week.

Events to celebrate the designation and allow local officials to discuss the details of their plans will be held in each of the three designated districts this week as follows:

• Monday, January 12^th at 9:30 a.m., Seaford City Hall, 414 High Street, Seaford
• Tuesday, January 13^th at 11 a.m., Bayard Plaza, 200 W. Loockerman Street, Dover
• Wednesday, January 14^th at 9 a.m., DCAD, 600 N. Market Street, Wilmington

More information on the events to come in the Governor’s Week/Day Ahead schedules.

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Visits Old State Elementary School
Delivers Speech on Public Education at The Rotary Club of Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. – On Thursday, May 29th, Lt. Governor Matt Denn will be in New Castle County.

He will visit Old State Elementary School in the Appoquinimink School District, where he will be in Carrie Maxwell’s 4th grade class. Her class extended an invitation for the Lt. Governor to visit and learn more about the Leader in Me process at the school. Mrs. Maxwell’s 34 students have been working on a presentation for the Lt. Governor and he will then take a short tour of the school.

The Leader in Me process helps develop the essential life skills and characteristics students need in order to thrive in the 21st century and is designed to be integrated into a school’s core curriculum. Based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®, The Leader in Me produces results such as higher academic achievement, fewer discipline problems, increased self-confidence, and increased engagement among teachers and parents.

The Lt. Governor will then be the featured speaker at The Rotary Club of Wilmington with his speech focusing on the future of public education. The Wilmington Rotary Club, founded in 1914, is an established Community Service Organization with a practicing motto of “SERVICE ABOVE SELF.” This Club proudly supports life-enhancing services to citizens of all ages in the City of Wilmington and greater Wilmington areas through their finances, time and talent. The Wilmington Rotary Club has a membership of over 240 community and business leaders.

Thursday, May 29, 2014
9:30am – 10:30am Visits Old State Elementary School
580 Tony Marchio Drive
Townsend

12:45pm – 1:30pm Featured Speaker at The Rotary Club of Wilmington
Hotel DuPont, Gold Ballroom
42 W. 11th Street
Wilmington

82% of non-profit funding dedicated to re-entry services; up from 46% in 2007

WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn, Chair of the Criminal Justice Council, and Chris Kervick, Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Council, announced the 2014 Byrne Grant recipients at a press conference at the Rick VanStory Resource Center in Wilmington.

This year’s Byrne Grants were awarded to seven non-profits agencies – representing all three counties – that specialized in the CJC’s priority areas of Re-entry and Recidivism Reduction for Adults and Juveniles, Juvenile Prevention and Intervention, and Reducing Homicide and Violent Crime. The total of all awards is $501,079.76 and 82% of funding is dedicated to re-entry services, up from 46% in 2007. The increase in re-entry funding reflects a decision by the CJC to concentrate its limited federal grant resources in this important area.

Lt. Governor Denn said, “These groups have proven track records of providing quality services that continue to make a difference in our communities. I am impressed with their plans to expand these much-needed programs in our state.”

“The Byrne Justice Assistance Grant is the cornerstone federal assistance program for the Criminal Justice Council,” said Executive Director Chris Kervick. “It allows the flexibility required to support local programs as they provide much needed services to the people who need them most. The Criminal Justice Council congratulates this year’s grant recipients and we look forward to working with the agencies to make each program successful.”

Rick VanStory Resource Center CEO Allen Conover said today, “We would like to thank the Delaware Criminal Justice Council for the opportunity to enhance our ability to provide essential services to individuals involved with the criminal justice system that are mentally ill and/or that suffer from substance abuse. We look forward to utilizing our collective experiences to assist others.”

Here is a list of recipients, the award amount, and short description of what the funding will be used for:

Boys & Girls Clubs at Oak Orchard/Riverdale: Stop It Before It Starts Prevention Program $50,930.00
Facilitating 2 curriculums: “Positive Action” on bullying, substance abuse, and suicide for 8 to 13 year-olds; and “Courage to Speak” on drug abuse prevention for parents. Grant will fund program facilitators, counselor, and educational equipment.

Courageous Hearts Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning Center Equine Assisted Learning: Power Tools for Living Program $39,690.00
Providing therapeutic equine activities for at-risk youth. The program teaches youths to interact with and care for horses, and offers mental health counseling. Grant will cover salary for the director, bookkeeper, equine specialists, & therapist, as well as facility rental.

Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing, Inc.: Re-entry Opportunity and Recidivism Prevention $97,900.00
Provide shelter, job placement, case management, and counseling to former inmates.

The Hospitality School, Inc.: Culinary Arts & Restaurant Training Reducing Recidivism $69,933.00
Provide culinary training for hard-to-employ individuals, specially focusing on ex-offenders. This free, 14-week program also teaches soft skills & financial literacy, and includes an internship.

Rick VanStory Resource Centers: Case Management for Mental Health Offenders $115,711.76
Provide case management, mental health counseling, and substance abuse treatment to homeless former inmates. Program will operate in all counties.

Victims’ Voices Heard: Victim Impact: Listen and Learn / Stand Down: Courage to Change $60,000.00
Implement two programs that involve group sessions at correctional institutions; one focuses on victim impact awareness and the other on setting and working toward re-entry goals.

The Way Home, Inc.: Expanding Way Home Case Management Services $66,915.00
Add to the agency’s case management staff to serve inmates who are re-entering the community. Case manager will assist with employment, education, and basic needs.

Background: The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program (42 U.S.C. 3751(a)) is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system from multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

Event pictures can be found here.

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.