Site Logo Delaware Health and Social Services
    Site Logo Delaware Health and Social Services

    Category: Food Assistance

    Delaware Distributes Initial First State Food Relief Funds

    Posted on by joshua

    NEW CASTLE (November 7, 2025) – Nearly 60,000 Delaware households woke this morning to find First State Food Relief Funds from the State of Delaware added to their EBT card balance. The deposits represent time-limited support to protect eligible Delawareans’ access to food in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Families will be receiving texts and emails informing them that their benefits have been loaded.

    The temporary relief fund program is a direct result of the State of Emergency declared October 29, 2025 by Delaware Governor Matt Meyer in response to the federal government shutdown. Under the State of Emergency, the State identified and transferred funds to the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to be disbursed to those eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance benefits on a week-by-week, as-needed basis, currently limited to the month of November.

    “Delaware families should never have to wonder where their next meal is coming from,” Governor Matt Meyer said. “Delawareans cannot eat political promises, nor can they eat pending court rulings. We will continue to work tirelessly for affordability for every Delaware working family every week of the year, even when the federal government is focused on gold ballrooms and benefits for billionaires.”

    Delaware’s issuance of approximately $5.2 million — promised and delivered to EBT accounts today — represents 25% of an individual or household’s normal monthly SNAP benefit. Additional weekly deposits of the state funds may be issued in November, pending disbursement of federal SNAP benefits.

    “Today’s funds reflect DHSS and Governor Meyer’s commitment to keeping Delawareans connected to essential nutrition support,” DHSS Secretary Christen Linke Young said. “DHSS is prepared to issue additional weekly relief as needed this month and we encourage households to monitor their EBT accounts for updates.”

    States have not yet received guidance for when to expect federal funds for disbursement of SNAP benefits to eligible individuals.

    “We know how vital these benefits are to the families we serve,” DHSS Deputy Secretary Lisa Schieffert said. “Our dedicated staff is working to ensure these funds reach households as smoothly as possible. As federal guidance comes in, we’ll continue to do everything we can to make sure eligible households are supported and informed.”

    Delaware Paramedics Administer 250th Unit Of Whole Blood For Prehospital Care, Reach More Significant Milestones

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    DOVER, Del. (Dec. 9, 2024)– Paramedics in all three Delaware counties achieved significant milestones in administering whole blood for prehospital care between Saturday, Nov. 23 and Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. A leader in prehospital care, the state has also become the first in the nation that has paramedic agencies in every county providing whole blood for patients before they reach the hospital.

    On Nov. 23, New Castle County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) gave the 150th unit in their county and soon after, the 151st, which became the 250th unit in the state. Sussex County also achieved a significant milestone on Nov. 25 when it administered its 100th unit of whole blood. Additionally, Kent County EMS delivered their first unit on Nov. 24, which despite the critical nature of the patient’s injuries, provided improvement in vital signs.

    Paramedics value whole blood because all of its components– red blood cells, clotting factors, platelets, and plasma– are present. Their most common application is when patients have suffered traumatic injuries resulting in massive blood loss.

    “We are incredibly proud of these achievements and the positive impact the treatment has had on our community,” said Dr. Robert Rosenbaum, state medical director, Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Section at the Delaware Division of Public Health. “Every unit of blood administered represents another patient that has been given a better chance at survival and recovery.”

    Paramedics in New Castle and Sussex counties first used whole blood as a pilot (test) program since the treatment was approved in May 2023. Early success led to statewide adoption for all paramedic agencies with Kent County currently carrying blood and Delaware State Police paramedics adding blood in early 2025. Nationally, less than 10% of EMS agencies carry and administer whole blood, according to the National Association of State EMS Officials.

    The program’s success is attributed to the collaborative efforts of county paramedic agencies and DPH’s Office of EMS (OEMS) with additional support from Delaware Emergency Management Agency and in partnership with the Blood Bank of Delmarva. The processes showing significant patient benefits are being shared with EMS systems across the country as a guide for establishing EMS whole blood programs, serving as a benchmark for other states and highlighting innovative medical interventions.

    For more information about OEMS, visit https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/DPH/ems/ems.html

    250th Unit of Blood

    The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation.

    Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by dialing 711 first using specialized devices (i.e. TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, please visit delawarerelay.com.

    Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

    Delaware Partners With American Cancer Society To Reduce High Mortality Rates For 2nd Annual Lung Cancer Screening Campaign

    Posted on by admin

    DOVER, DEL. (Oct. 31, 2024)– The American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable (ACS NLCRT), American College of Radiology® (ACR®), Radiology Health Equity Coalition (RHEC), and GO2 for Lung Cancer (GO2) have partnered once again for the second annual National Lung Cancer Screening Day (“National LCS Day”) on Saturday, November 9, 2024, which has been officially proclaimed by Governor John Carney and Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long in Delaware. As an additional contribution, Mayors Michael Purzycki and Robin Christiansen of Wilmington and Dover issued proclamations in support of the observance from Delaware’s largest cities. The American Cancer Society, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and other Delaware partners will also promote lung cancer screening throughout the entire month of November to reduce disparities, improve access to care, and ultimately save lives.

    Lung cancer continues to have the highest mortality rate of cancers worldwide, with populations from lower socioeconomic backgrounds having the highest incidence rates. Each year, lung cancer claims the lives of over 125,000 Americans and is the most common type of cancer death in the First State. Regular screening can help find it early when it is easier to treat, but only one in 10 people in the U.S. at higher risk get screened. A persistent barrier to screening is a patient’s availability for screening appointments, as most screening centers operate on traditional Monday to Friday work schedules. These operating hours afford little opportunity for patients with the greatest need to schedule and attend necessary screening appointments.

    As a solution, this campaign asks that facilities open their doors on the second Saturday in November for low-dose CT (LDCT) lung screening. Opening on a Saturday allows individuals who have already been referred for LDCT to access screening without having to take a day off work, thereby increasing the accessibility of screening overall. It will also serve to increase the profile of early detection of lung cancer to those in the community who were referred to by their doctors but might be unaware of the option.

    It is important that you talk to your health care provider to see if you are eligible for a lung cancer screening. For screening locations, visit the Lung Cancer Screening Locator Tool.

    “Delaware is proud to support National LCS Day, as this proactive approach is vital in saving lives and reducing the burden of lung cancer on families and communities within our state,” said Dawn Hollinger, chief of the Bureau of Cancer Prevention and Control at DPH. “Screenings are used to find cancer early when it is more treatable and even curable. Through this collaborative effort, we hope to increase awareness about the lifesaving benefits of lung cancer screening and encourage individuals at risk to take action.”

    Delaware organizations who have endorsed the 2024 National LCS Day Campaign:

    National LCS Day is meant to serve as a catalyst for screening in general. Rather than waiting until November to work lung screening into their routine, patients, clinicians, and health systems alike are encouraged to make screening a year-round priority. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3ozryBJ.

    Lung Screening

    The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation.

    Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by dialing 711 first using specialized devices (i.e. TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, please visit delawarerelay.com.

    About The American Cancer Society

    The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 110 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345. Connect with us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

    Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.