NEW CASTLE (Sept. 19, 2022) – Delaware Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) offices in all three counties will be closed Friday, Sept. 23, due to an in-service staff meeting. Child support customers who have in-person business are encouraged to come earlier in the week. Account information can be accessed 24/7 by calling the Automated […]

NEW CASTLE (Septiembre 19, 2022) – Las oficinas de la División de Servicios de Manutención Infantil (DCSS por sus siglas en Ingles) estarán cerradas en los tres condados el Viernes, 23 de Septiembre, debido a una reunión de personal en servicio. Los clientes de manutención infantil que tienen asuntos para resolver en persona se les […]

A small listening session held by the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) led to more than 1,000 non-custodial parents being notified that that the suspension of their Delaware licenses has been lifted. The Division learned from a group of parents that although they were now in compliance with their child support obligation, they had […]

NEW CASTLE (Sept. 27, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Social Services will issue emergency benefits for September 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 (27 de Septiembre de 2022) – La División de Servicios Sociales de Delaware emitirá beneficios de emergencia para Septiembre 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 (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 […]

NEW CASTLE (Septiembre 26 del 2022) – Una pequeña sesión de audiencia realizada por la División de Servicios de Manutención de Menores (DCSS, por sus siglas en inglés) llevó a que a más de 1,000 padres sin custodia fueron notificados que la suspensión de sus licencias de Delaware ha sido levantada. La División se enteró […]

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 […]

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 […]

DOVER, DE (Oct. 10, 2022) – Delaware’s cancer mortality, or death, rate has further declined, according to the latest cancer data from the Division of Public Health (DPH).  Between 2005 and 2019, mortality rates for cancer at all locations throughout the body, known as all-site cancer, decreased an average of 1.7% per year in both Delaware and […]

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 […]

While the hustle and bustle of summer may be over, Fall is the perfect time to get out and visit Delaware farmers’ markets and on-farm markets to access fresh fruits and vegetables. Many of these venues will be open until right before Thanksgiving; however, the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) reminds seniors and WIC participants with Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program vouchers to spend these by October 31.

DOVER, DE (October 14, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reports that the 7-day average of new positive COVID-19 cases has decreased for the third consecutive month. Deaths remain low, and hospitalization rates are holding steady. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels data tracker, which factors in data on hospitalizations […]

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 […]

NEW CASTLE (Oct. 26, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Social Services will issue emergency benefits for October 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 […]

The Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (DHCI) in Smyrna is asking members of the community to sponsor a resident for the holidays. Since many residents have little family involvement or support, the nursing home relies on the generosity of community members including neighbors, local businesses, community organizations, and volunteers to help fulfill resident wishes at the holidays through the Adopt-A-Resident Program.

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 […]

DOVER, DE (OCT. 28, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is concerned about increases in respiratory viruses in the state, particularly influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). For the week of Oct. 16, 2022, through Oct. 22, 2022, there were 44 laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu, compared to 19 cases the week […]

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 […]

NEW CASTLE (Nov. 2, 2022) – The Division of Child Support Services’ (DCSS) today announced a new partnership with TD Bank. As of Nov. 14, 2022, Division of Child Support Services paper checks will no longer be drawn on PNC Bank. On Thursday, Oct. 20, DCSS sent letters to all state child support agencies, all […]

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 […]

NEW CASTLE (2 de Noviembre, 2022) – La División de Servicios de Manutención de Niños (DCSS) anunció hoy una nueva asociación con TD Bank. A partir del 14 de Noviembre de 2022, los cheques en papel de la División de Servicios de Manutención Infantil ya no se emitirán en PNC Bank. El Jueves 20 de […]

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.

NEWARK (Nov. 14, 2022) – The Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) is using the findings from a report based on caregiver focus groups held late last year across the state to enhance its current supports and develop a new approach to caregiver services. This includes the formation of the […]

DOVER, DE (Nov. 18, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reports that the statewide 7-day average of new positive COVID-19 cases has decreased for the fourth consecutive month. Hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19 have remained low over the same time period. Average new positive cases are lowest in Kent County, with Sussex County only slightly higher. However, […]

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 (16 de Diciembre de 2022) – La División de Salud Pública de Delaware (DPH) anunció hoy la primera muerte sospechada a estar relacionada con la influenza en el estado para la temporada de influenza 2022-2023. El paciente era residente del condado de Kent y tenía entre 55 y 64 años y no se […]

NEW CASTLE (Dec. 21, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Social Services will issue emergency benefits for December 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 […]

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 […]

DOVER, DE (Jan. 13, 2023) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is seeing an increase in post-holiday COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, though the increase is not nearly as high as the 2022 post-holiday surge. Still, DPH encourages individuals to take specific action steps to stay healthy and prevent the spread of the virus, such as staying home when sick, testing […]

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 […]

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 […]

Over the past three months (November and December 2022 and January 2023), preliminary data indicates that suspected overdose deaths in Delaware have increased. Suspected accidental overdose data is reported by the Division of Forensic Science (DFS) and is considered preliminary until all data is finalized. Since November, the average monthly increase of suspected overdose deaths is 18.4%. In January 2023, 53 people died from suspected overdoses in Delaware, which represents a 47% increase over […]

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.

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 6, 2023) – Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Molly Magarik presented the State’s third annual Benchmark Trend Report at today’s Delaware Health Care Commission (DHCC) meeting. This report displays trends in Delaware’s health care spending and quality, comparing new 2021 data against a set benchmark, as well as baseline […]

NEW CASTLE (May 30, 2023) – Governor John Carney will present the 2023 Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards to 11 individuals, four groups, and five emerging leaders during a June 21 ceremony to recognize their remarkable service to Delaware. These prestigious awards acknowledge the significant impact that young volunteers make in their communities, inspiring others […]

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 […]

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 […]

Delaware Animal Services (DAS), the enforcement unit within the Office of Animal Welfare, announces the arrest of a man and a woman involved in an animal cruelty case.  On Aug. 25, 2023, Delaware State Police (DSP) Troop 7 received a tip from a concerned citizen that Dillon Hensey, age 32, and his wife, Chelsie Puckett, age 33, were seen […]