DDDS Aims to Expand Opportunities and Access for Individuals with Disabilities to Join the Workforce DOVER (Oct. 31, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) announced today efforts to expand services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to seek and secure employment. “October is National Disability Employment Awareness […]

The marketplace’s 10th open enrollment period started today, Nov. 1, and ends Jan. 15, 2023, at www.HealthCare.gov, where consumers can renew existing coverage or sign up for a new plan. Coverage for enrollees who sign up by Dec. 15 and pay their first month’s premium will be effective Jan. 1.

Los residentes de Delaware encontrarán más opciones en aseguradoras y planes, y subsidios federales incrementados continuos para ayudar con la asequibilidad; la registración se extiende hasta el 15 de Enero del 2023 NEW CASTLE (1º de Noviembre, 2022) – Saliendo de un año con sin precedentes por la inscripción en el Mercado de Seguros Médicos […]

NEW CASTLE (Nov. 4, 2022) – The Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, in collaboration with the Lt. Governor’s Office and the Delaware Art Museum, is seeking personal stories and photos from Delaware families who have lost loved ones to drug overdoses. The submissions will be used to create an emotional and educational exhibition […]

DOVER, DE (Nov. 17, 2022) — The Maternal Child Health Bureau of the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), Delaware 2-1-1 and other state and community organizations proudly recognized Help Me Grow Delaware during an event celebrating Help Me Grow’s 10th anniversary on Nov. 9 at the Route 9 Library & Innovation Center in New […]

In 2021, anonymous reports helped protect 2,184 vulnerable adults from potential abuse; new hotline makes reporting neglect, abuse and exploitation easy and confidential   NEWARK (Nov. 30, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) today announced the launch of the new Adult Protective Services (APS) hotline – 888-APS-4302. With one simple […]

Health Officials Fear Opioid Epidemic Has Not Plateaued   NEW CASTLE (Dec. 8, 2022) – In a heartbreaking sign that the opioid epidemic has not plateaued in Delaware, deaths from suspected overdoses in November set a new monthly high total, according to death investigation reports from the Division of Forensic Science. In November 2022, 43 […]

DOVER, DE (Dec. 20, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing changes to COVID-19 testing access in Delaware. Based on operational needs, DPH’s valued partner Curative has decided not to renew its testing contract with the state when it ends in the next two weeks. As a result, Wednesday, Dec. 28 will […]

DOVER, DE (20 de Diciembre de 2022) – La División de Salud Pública de Delaware (DPH) anuncia cambios en el acceso a las pruebas de COVID-19 en Delaware. Según las necesidades operativas, el valioso socio de DPH Curative, decidió no renovar su contrato de pruebas con el estado cuando finalice en las siguientes dos semanas. […]

NEW CASTLE (20 de Diciembre de 2022) – La División de Servicios Sociales de Delaware emitirá beneficios de emergencia para Diciembre a los hogares elegibles como parte de la respuesta continua del Estado a la crisis de salud pública de COVID-19. Los beneficios se emitirán como parte del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) y […]

DOVER, DE (Jan. 3, 2023) – Through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), Delaware was recently among 47 states to contribute data to the CDC’s Dec. 16, 2022, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, titled “Drug Overdose Deaths Among Persons Aged 10-19 Years – United States, July 2019-December 2021.” The Division of Public Health (DPH) utilizes SUDORS to track available trends and characteristics of […]

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), in conjunction with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), will begin soliciting for new water quality improvement projects Thursday, Jan. 12 as DNREC and DPH start to develop 2023 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving (DWSRF) project priority lists.

DOVER, DE (Jan. 11, 2023) –   The Delaware Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) and the Delaware State Police (DSP) responded to a complaint of suspicious activity at a Seaford residence over the weekend resulting in charges related to dog fighting and the rescue of 14 dogs. One dog died from the […]

NEW CASTLE (Jan. 25, 2023) – The Delaware Division of Social Services (DSS) will issue emergency benefits for January to eligible households as part of the State’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Benefits will be issued as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and two cash assistance programs – Temporary […]

With more choice in plans than ever before, enhanced federal subsidies, and Delaware's reinsurance program keeping the cost of monthly premiums relatively steady, enrollment on Delaware's Health Insurance Marketplace for 2023 again set an all-time high, increasing 8% over the open enrollment total for 2022.

New campaign underway to highlight support, services available to First State caregivers NEW CASTLE, Del. (Jan. 30, 2023) — The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has launched a new campaign designed to raise awareness around the many resources available to those who care for and support an older adult or someone living […]

NEW CASTLE (Feb. 8, 2023) – Divisions from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and the Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families (DSCYF) are working together to prevent opioid abuse among young athletes by funding innovative prevention programs in the community. The Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental […]

Due to a recent change in federal law passed in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, this will be the final emergency benefits payment as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Emergency benefits paid as part of two cash assistance programs – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and General Assistance (GA) – will continue until the end of the federal Public Health Emergency in May.

Congress sets April 1, 2023, as Medicaid renewal start date; Members should verify contact information with DHSS  The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) will resume the standard eligibility renewal process for Medicaid and CHIP recipients starting April 1, 2023, as required by federal law. Annual renewals have not been required since March […]

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney and Lt. Governor Hall-Long on Wednesday announced a partnership with the Food Bank of Delaware to fill community food pantries statewide and hold food drives in each county for three months to help ease the transition from the ending of the federal Emergency benefits for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households. The […]

NEW CASTLE, Del. (March 21, 2023) – Nominations for the 2023 Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards are being accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism now through Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The awards recognize the tireless efforts of young Delaware volunteers aged 17 and younger. Award recipients will be honored at a ceremony June 21, […]

LEWES, Del. (March 29, 2023) – The Delaware Division of Public Health Office of Animal Welfare’s Delaware Animal Services (DAS) is seeking the public’s help with providing any information that may lead to an arrest in an act of animal cruelty. On the afternoon of Friday, March 24, DAS was contacted by Lewes Police who […]

NEW CASTLE (April 3, 2023) – Delaware’s Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Board announced today the start of its 2023 Organ Donor Awareness Video Scholarship Contest, with a total of up to $5,000 in scholarships available to Delaware high school students. The board funds the video public service contest to raise awareness among young people […]

Medicaid renewals began April 1;   Members should verify contact information with DHSS, watch for renewal information  The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has resumed the standard eligibility renewal process for Medicaid and CHIP recipients as of April 1, 2023, as required by federal law. Annual renewals were not required from March […]

The Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) celebrated the 60th anniversary of Older Americans Month with an event at the Wilmington Public Library on Monday. This year’s theme for Older Americans Month is “Aging Unbound,” which offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and to […]

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) recently held its 24th Prescription Drug Take-Back Day event. Organized nationally by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is operated locally by DPH. The twice-a-year event (April and October) aims to reduce the risk of prescription medications being diverted for misuse and has resulted in 114,470 pounds of medication being collected in Delaware since 2010. […]

MILFORD (June 6, 2023) – Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long and leaders from the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Department of Education (DOE), and Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF) led a community response briefing on Friday to provide the latest information regarding the state’s efforts to address substance use […]

Wildfires in eastern Canada emitting particulate matter into the atmosphere continue to cause poor air quality.

NEW CASTLE (June 16, 2023) – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance announces that it has extended Medicaid postpartum health care coverage from 60 days to 12 months after the end of a pregnancy. This expansion is made possible through a State Plan Amendment approved by the Centers […]

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing its first reported rabies case of 2023. DPH received a report last week of a human and their pet dog who had been exposed to a potentially rabid groundhog in a residential neighborhood located near Bringhurst Woods Park on Washington St., off Carr Road. The groundhog was tested for rabies and the results came […]

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) will host a series of in-person town hall events to discuss ways to improve Delaware’s State Service Centers. The four events will take place in July across the state and will highlight the steps DHSS is taking to transform how they serve Delawareans […]

Wilmington, Del. (August 3, 2023) – The Delaware Division of the Arts recently secured new funding from a national grant program to advance creative aging programs for adults aged 55+ in Delaware. Building upon the transformative success of the Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging program, which catalyzed arts learning opportunities for adults aged 55+ […]

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) recently announced a new financial assistance program for homeowners who receive their drinking water from private wells. The program is operated by the agency’s Health Systems Protection section.   Starting Sept. 1, 2023, Delawareans can now receive free test kits for their primary residence in the state, which were previously available for $4 per kit. The test kits cover […]

The Delaware Division of Social Services is issuing retroactive emergency food assistance benefits under the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program for School Year 2022-2023 and Summer 2023 to Delaware households with eligible children. Eligible households began receiving P-EBT benefits beginning in August. Benefits from Fall 2022 (September-December 2022) are available on EBT cards as […]

The Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) has identified a case of SARS-CoV-2 lineage BA.2.86 from a specimen provided to the laboratory for testing. This is the first case of BA.2.86 detected in Delaware, currently classified as a Variant Being Monitored (VBM) by the SARS-CoV-2 Interagency Group (SIG). The case was detected in a Pennsylvania resident seen at a Delaware Hospital. The […]

The Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) has identified this year’s first human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in three men 50 years of age and older, all of whom reside in New Castle County. All three individuals who contracted WNV were hospitalized due to infection from the mosquito-borne illness. At this time, it appears that each WNV victim […]

DOVER – Tuesday, leaders from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) joined partner community agencies for a community response briefing to provide the latest information regarding the state’s efforts to address disparities in outcomes related to Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder for minority and vulnerable populations. Organized by the DHSS […]

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), in a coordinated effort with fellow government agencies, community partners, and Delaware residents, today announced the launch of the new, redesigned, and revamped HelpIsHereDE.com, available in English and Spanish. Designed after months of listening sessions and focus groups, the new HelpIsHereDE.com is the state’s comprehensive […]

SMYRNA (October 16, 2023) – The Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (DHCI) in Smyrna is asking members of the community to sponsor a resident for the holidays. DHCI is a licensed Skilled Nursing Facility, operated by the Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, dedicated to comprehensive nursing home services […]

Delaware will hold its 25th National DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Delawareans can discard their expired or unused medications at locations statewide between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Sharps disposals for needle disposal will be available at select locations, as well as overdose response education with free Narcan available at […]

NEW CASTLE – Delawareans seeking coverage for 2024 will find more choice in insurers and plans than ever before on the Health Insurance Marketplace in the 11th year of open enrollment. The marketplace’s open enrollment period started today, Nov. 1, and ends Jan. 15, 2024. Consumers can renew existing coverage or sign up for a […]

To recognize the interconnectedness between the health of people, animals and the environment we share, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) celebrates One Health Day on November 3, 2023. Today, we are awakening to the fact that without open discussions and mutual understanding, we are unable to solve issues such as climate change, pandemics […]

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has partnered with hospitals and imaging facilities across Delaware to present National Lung Cancer Screening Day (NLCSD) as a statewide event. On Saturday, November 11, representatives from the Bureau of Cancer Prevention and Control within the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) will be on-site at several imaging facilities. Delaware is the […]

Delaware’s Birth to Three Program is proud to announce a dynamic and engaging virtual event, “Explore Delaware’s Birth to Three Journey with Special Guest Ms. Rachel,” scheduled for December 6, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM (EST) via Zoom. This one-hour live event is divided into two captivating segments, designed to educate, inspire and […]

DOVER, Del. (Jan. 8, 2024) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting a potential measles exposure in a Delaware health care facility. On January 5, 2024, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health identified a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated individual. While infectious, the individual sought care at a healthcare facility […]

 The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting a potential measles exposure at the Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington on December 29, 2023. An extensive contact tracing investigation identified between 20-30 people exposed to the individual who was not symptomatic but was infectious at the time of their visit to the facility. 

NEW CASTLE (January 22, 2024) – Today, Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long and leaders from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) along with partner community agencies led a community response briefing to provide the latest information regarding the state’s efforts to support individuals facing homelessness and housing instability related to substance use disorder. […]

Animal welfare officers rescued 76 animals from a mobile home in Felton after being found living in cramped, unsanitary conditions. The Office of Animal Welfare (OAW)’s Delaware Animal Services (DAS) received a call from Delaware State Police about a potential animal cruelty case. Animal welfare officers arrived at the home to investigate, discovering 66 small breed dogs, 9 cats and 1 bird living in inhumane conditions.

NEW CASTLE (March 19, 2024) – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and Governor John Carney announced additional investments in child care for the upcoming year. Building on the Governor’s Recommended Budget, which proposes expanding eligibility for Purchase of Care to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and creating over 200 additional […]

On April 9, 150 Delaware Cancer Consortium (DCC) members gathered for their 2024 retreat for presentations by prominent local and national speakers, including four cancer survivors who shared their diagnosis, care, and experience living with cancer. The theme was Vision. Purpose. Action. Coming Together to Eliminate Cancer Disparities, aligning with DCC’s goal to implement culturally inclusive initiatives […]