Nominations for the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards are being accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism through March 27. These awards recognize the important contributions made by Delaware’s youth volunteers to their communities. Award recipients will be announced in May.

DOVER, DE (March 11, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) Contact Tracing Team has launched a pre-call SMS/text messaging initiative to individuals who test positive for COVID-19. It involves sending a text message to COVID-positive individuals and providing initial isolation guidance and recommendations through a secure web platform before they receive a call from […]

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) on Tuesday announced almost $17 million in financial support for Delawareans impacted by the COVID-19 emergency, as well as health care professionals at DHSS’ 24/7 facilities. The new support, which also will expand COVID vaccinations and testing, and […]

DOVER, DE (March 15, 2022) – The Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Office of Health Crisis Response (OHCR), has initiated a Restaurant Accolade Program to train and educate restaurant industry staff on how to reverse an opioid overdose and support coworkers with substance use disorder (SUD). The program was developed to assist restaurants, hospitality groups, and […]

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, in conjunction with the Division of Public Health, will begin soliciting for new water quality improvement projects March 24 as DNREC and DPH start to develop 2022 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving (DWSRF) project priority lists.

State agencies will begin accepting applications to loan or grant money for drinking water and wastewater system improvements around the state, with capacity for historic levels of investment in water infrastructure from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the state Clean Water Trust, created in 2021.

NEW CASTLE (April 7, 2022) – The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has launched a new website called CostAware to help Delawareans understand how their health care dollars are spent by comparing the variation of average costs for different episodes of care and medical services based on actual medical claims in Delaware. Hospital […]

 DOVER (April 12, 2022) – The Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing the first flu-related death of the 2021-2022 flu season. The individual was a 54-year-old Kent County female infected with influenza A who died in early April. She had underlying health conditions and was not vaccinated. As of April 2, 2022, the most recent […]

DOVER, DE (April 14, 2022) – Today, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing the launch of the COVID-19 Test-to-Treat program in Delaware as part of a federal initiative aimed at providing convenient testing and treatment options combined in one location. Test-to-treat locations are designed to be a “one-stop shop” for individuals seeking diagnosis and […]

NEW CASTLE (April 25, 2022) – Governor John Carney will present the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards to 13 young people, four emerging leaders and two groups during a May 17 ceremony to recognize their service to Delaware. “I am honored to celebrate the young people across our state who continue to serve our communities […]

Delaware will hold its 22nd National DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Delawareans can discard their expired or unused medications at locations statewide between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. There will also be Sharps disposals for needle disposal at select locations, and overdose response education with free Narcan available at select locations.

NEW CASTLE (May 4, 2022) – The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has launched a state-sponsored Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program (HCPLRP). Under the new loan repayment program, eligible clinicians may receive up to $50,000 per year in loan repayment for a maximum of four years of employment in Delaware. Governor John […]

Eligible SNAP Households Will Receive P-EBT Emergency Food Assistance on June 3 NEW CASTLE (June 1, 2022) – Delaware families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits will get emergency food assistance through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program for children under the age of 6 living in their households. Eligible SNAP households […]

DOVER, DE (June 1, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing the launch of Delaware WIC’s new educational website. The website includes information on nutrition, breastfeeding, and WIC’s programming for families, covering all stages of pregnancy, postpartum, infancy and children up to five years of age. It currently includes a link to […]

DOVER, DE (June 17, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reports an overall decrease in COVID-19 cases and hospitalization since the previous monthly COVID-19 update released on May 21, 2022. While COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are experiencing a decreasing trend, DPH encourages Delawareans to rely on trusted prevention actions to stay one step ahead of COVID-19 during this event-filled weekend that […]

DOVER, DE (June 18, 2022) – Parents of children ages 6 months through 5 years old, will be able to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19 starting the week of June 20, 2022, according to the Division of Public Health (DPH). Vaccines for this youngest age group received final sign off for Emergency Use Authorization, from the Food […]

NEW CASTLE (June 22, 2022) – Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Molly Magarik today announced five leadership changes for the agency involving the Office of the Secretary and the Division of Public Health. The changes: Dava Newnam, who has served as Associate Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Chief Operating Officer for DHSS, has […]

NEW CASTLE (June 28, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Social Services will issue emergency benefits for June 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 Assistance […]

NEW CASTLE (28 de Junio de 2022) – La División de Servicios Sociales de Delaware emitirá beneficios de emergencia para Junio 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 […]

NEW CASTLE (Julio 12, 2022) – El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Sociales (DHSS) anunció hoy que ha seleccionado tres compañias para operar su Programa de Atención Administrada de Medicaid. La División de Medicaid y Asistencia Médica (DMMA) del DHSS continuará su asociación de MCO con Highmark Health Options Blue Cross Blue Shield, que empezó […]

NEW CASTLE (July 12, 2022) – The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) announced today that it has selected three companies to operate its Medicaid Managed Care Program. DHSS’ Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) will continue its MCO partnership with Highmark Health Options Blue Cross Blue Shield, which began in 2015, and […]

Getting vaccinated and boosted when you are eligible remains one of the key ways to Stay One Step Ahead of COVID-19 in our state.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and Delaware Healthy Mother & Infant Consortium (DHMIC) are seeking applicants for Healthy Women, Healthy Babies (HWHB) Zones mini-grants to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in Delaware using community-based approaches.   It is anticipated that two new mini-grantees will be funded for the new grant cycle — each […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised Delaware’s COVID-19 community levels to the High category (red) in all three counties on July 28, 2022.   As a result, the Division of Public Health (DPH) is asking Delawareans to follow the CDC’s key strategies at this level of community spread:   ·      Wear a well-fitting mask […]

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing the state’s fourth, fifth and sixth cases of monkeypox (MPX). All cases are considered probable pending confirmatory testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

DOVER, DE (Aug. 8, 2022) — The Delaware Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention Program (PANO) is seeking mini-grant applications as part of the Advancing Healthy Lifestyles (AHL) initiative to improve community health and reduce chronic health conditions.   PANO expects to award five to eight mini-grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 in September.  All applications are due no later than August 17. The project period will run from October 2022 to May […]

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing five additional cases of monkeypox (MPX), bringing the state’s total to 11. All cases are considered probable pending confirmatory testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing additional locations where those who meet eligibility criteria can get the monkeypox (MPX) vaccine. On Monday, DPH expanded access to the vaccine to those living with HIV and those receiving HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing six additional cases of monkeypox (MPX), bringing the state’s total to 17. 

DOVER, DE (Aug. 29, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Office of Health Crisis Response (OHCR) is announcing it will begin including fentanyl test strips in Narcan kits it distributes to the public. The effort is part of a harm-reduction strategy aimed at preventing accidental overdoses due to fentanyl consumption.   Fentanyl is now the leading cause of […]

DOVER, DE (August 30, 2022) – The Division of Public Health (DPH) is releasing a 2020 State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) fact sheet on all drug overdose deaths that occurred in Delaware. This snapshot contains fatality data abstracted from the state’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) collaborative. DPH collects and analyzes unintentional drug overdose […]

DOVER, DE (Aug. 31, 2022) – The Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing this year’s first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV), in a 78-year-old Sussex County man. West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause serious health problems.    In addition to the first human WNV case, there also have been confirmed cases in a horse in New Castle County, and in […]

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is sharing upcoming opportunities for individuals to get vaccinated against the monkeypox virus (MPX). The current case count for MPX in the state is 33, including 22 cases in New Castle County, two cases in Kent County, and nine cases in Sussex County. Delaware continues to offer vaccinations to people […]

Goal is to Connect At-Risk Community Members to Substance Use Disorder Services WILMINGTON (Sept. 19, 2022) – As a way to directly connect community members struggling with opioid use disorder and other behavioral health issues to treatment, recovery and prevention services, the Community Well-Being Initiative (CWBI), which began in 2021 in high-risk areas of New […]

Dover, DE (Sept. 20, 2022) The Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing their youth-led #MyReasonWhyDE campaign. #MyReasonWhyDE asks Delaware youth to make short Public Service Announcement (PSA) videos that promote the positive aspects of their lives that keep them happy, healthy, and drug-free, engaged citizens. Using the collective campaign ad model, like the “Got Milk?” […]

NEW CASTLE (Sept. 27, 2022) – Nominations for the 2022 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards, which honor exemplary service and the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals, age 18 or older, and organizations who are making a difference across Delaware communities, are now open. “Volunteers all across our state are doing incredible things on […]

DOVER, DE (Sept. 29, 2022) – October 2 marks the official start of the 2022-2023 influenza (flu) season. The flu vaccine plays a pivotal role in helping to avoid significant flu-related illnesses, including hospitalization and death. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) believes it is vital for Delawareans to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting […]

DOVER, DE (Oct. 6, 2022) ­– The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has created new resources and a new webinar specifically for pharmacists as part of its ongoing work to reduce substance use disorder.  DPH has worked with partners in the medical community to develop Delaware-specific, evidence-based education materials, aiming to reduce the risk of […]

Delaware Will Issue Spring 2022 P-EBT Child Care Benefit on Oct. 7 to Children under Age 6 in Households Receiving SNAP Benefits NEW CASTLE (Oct. 6, 2022) – Delaware families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits will get emergency food assistance through the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program for children under the […]

NEW CASTLE (Oct. 10, 2022) – As part of its strategic plan to make access to services easier for Delawareans across the state, the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) will begin a critical community engagement phase in which the public can weigh in on the kinds of changes they want to see. For […]

NEW CASTLE (Oct. 10, 2022) – Como parte de su plan estratégico para facilitar el acceso a los servicios para los residentes de Delaware a través del estado, el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Sociales (DHSS) comenzará una fase crítica de participación comunitaria en la que el público puede opinar sobre los tipos de cambios […]

DOVER, DE (Oct. 11, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing two new laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza, one each in New Castle and Sussex counties for the 2022-2023 flu season. The cases involve an unvaccinated 43-year-old Sussex County woman, and an unvaccinated child under 5 years – old in New Castle County, both with influenza strain A. The new […]

DOVER (Oct. 21, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services is announcing today that it is mailing letters to service recipients and legal guardians who were impacted by a recent data breach incident and is providing information to the public regarding the incident. On August 23, 2022, staff within the Division of Developmental […]

*Editor/Reporter note: We originally stated that five DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back locations would be offering Overdose Response Training and Narcan distribution to the public; there are only two – Milford and Middletown. We also erroneously stated that there are 23 locations currently participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back event; there are 22.    […]

DOVER, DE (OCT. 27, 2022) – As part of the Delaware State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) will conduct a series of community health assessments. The health assessments will help improve understanding of the health concerns and needs of Delaware communities and to improve the future health in Delaware. DPH […]

The greenhouse is operated by Bright Spot Urban Farm, a program operated by West End Neighborhood House in Wilmington. The Department of Health and Social Services has an agreement with West End to operate the greenhouse and gardens on the Herman Holloway Campus. Proceeds from the sale of the nearly 3,000 poinsettias grown this season will help support youth programs at West End.

DOVER, DE (Nov. 9, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing the launch of the My Healthy Community (MHC) influenza (flu) dashboard, which shares weekly as well as seasonal data on positive cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and for the first time, vaccinations in the state. The dashboard is intended to provide an accurate […]

Ten individuals and six groups will be honored with the 2022 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Awards during a ceremony to be held Dec. 1 at the Executive Banquet & Conference Center in Newark. The award recipients will be recognized for exceptional contributions and outstanding dedication to service and volunteerism in Delaware.

DOVER, DE (Nov. 29, 2022) ­– The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announces the launch of a multimedia fentanyl campaign that targets youth, ages 14 through 25. This campaign aims to inform youth about what fentanyl is and that fentanyl can be found in various illicit drugs. This campaign highlights the risk of experimental drug use […]

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 […]