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 […]

DOVER, DE (Jan. 30, 2023) –   The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has been notified of multiple positive cases of COVID-19 that could be related to several in-person events last week in and around Legislative Hall. Out of an abundance of caution, DPH is offering recommendations to those planning to attend Joint Finance Committee hearings beginning […]

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 […]

DPH Sees Decrease in Cases and Hospitalizations Since Last Month, but Increase in Deaths. DPH Encourages Public to Get Updated Boosters         DOVER, DE (FEB. 10, 2023) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) saw a 28% decrease in COVID-19 cases and 29% decrease in hospitalizations in the last month and is encouraging residents to continue to remain current on their vaccinations by getting the updated COVID-19 bivalent booster.   Still, Delawareans, many with underlying health conditions, are dying from COVID-19. In the […]

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 […]

CostAware Compares Health Care Costs Based on Delaware Medical Claims NEW CASTLE (March 3, 2023) – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) announced today the launch of a new version of its CostAware website, designed to help Delawareans understand how their health care dollars are spent by comparing the variation of average […]

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 […]

Due to a reduction in the Air Quality Index (AQI) CASH BOOTHS at the toll plazas OPENED at 4:45 pm today, June 8, 2023. The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will continue to monitor the AQI forecast and determine the effects it may have, if any, on DMV operations for Friday, June 9, 2023. Residents […]

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

The Latin American Community Center (LACC) presents a unique art contest and invites participants to explore addiction through artistic expression. ArtAddiction, a juried art competition hosted by the LACC’s Prevention Promoters Program, seeks to explore addiction, recovery, and mental health through artistic expression. This year’s theme, “Change IS A Process,” has categories that include painting, drawing, […]

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 […]

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) announces the launch of the Health Equity Advancement Project, consisting of two funding opportunities that seek to develop strategies for addressing rising opioid overdose deaths among Black and African American communities in Delaware. DSAMH will award eight mini grants as well as […]

NEW CASTLE (July 6, 2023) – Delaware’s Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Board announces the winners of its 2023 Organ Donor Awareness Video Scholarship Contest open to Delaware high school students. The board funds the video public service contest to raise awareness among young people about the importance of becoming a designated organ and tissue […]

In collaboration with the Delaware Division of Forensic Science (DFS), the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announces the addition of suspected drug overdose death counts to the agency’s publicly available My Healthy Community (MHC) data dashboard. These data can be viewed on the Drug Overdose Deaths tab within the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder section of MHC. […]

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+ […]

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), through the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service, is actively seeking community engagement to develop a State Service Plan that will transform the impact of service and volunteerism across the state. To best serve the needs of Delaware communities, DHSS and the […]

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 […]

Amidst a shortage of prescription stimulants, concerns have been raised about the potential increase in illicit drug use. With many individuals relying on prescription stimulants to manage conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the shortage has left many struggling to access the medication they need. This has led some individuals to turn to illicit drugs […]

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 […]

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) announces significant advancement in capabilities for the Delaware Treatment and Referral Network (DTRN) with the launch of DTRN360, a Behavioral Health Coordination platform. DTRN360 is designed to bridge the gaps experienced by providers in caring for […]

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. […]

Getting the annual flu vaccine is important for all people ages 6 months and older to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death that can result from the flu virus. Hospitalization and death from the flu can occur in previously healthy individuals, though persons with underlying health conditions are at significantly increased risk for serious outcomes.

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 (February 12, 2024) – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the Delaware Health Care Commission have launched the Benchmark Trend Report Dashboard to further support the State’s efforts to improve health care quality for all residents, while simultaneously working to monitor and reduce the economic burden of health care spending. […]

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 […]