Government & Civics Archives - Page 26 of 77 - Milford LIVE! - Local Delaware News, Kent and Sussex Counties

Council hears suggestions for modernization of city utilities

Terry Rogers July 30, 2024Headlines, State Government

At a recent meeting, Milford City Council heard a presentation from the Shpigler Group, a strategy management consulting service, about options available to modernize city utilities. The report focused on electric and water services. “We engaged with them back in April to evaluate the current state of electric utility and also parts of the Public Works, specific to water and …

Use extreme caution traveling through work zones

Terry Rogers July 29, 2024Headlines, State Government

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) urges all drivers to use extreme caution when traveling through work zones. The urgency of the message follows a recent rise in work zone crashes. In 2023, 15 DelDOT vehicles were struck by motorists. As of July 22, 2024, that figure is already over double last year’s with 37 vehicles struck by motorists, 6 involving injuries. …

The audit request comes after a series of educator arrests for inappropriate contact with students in recent years. (Photo by bialasiewicz/PhotoDune)

Senator calls for audit of credentials for school counselors

Jarek Rutz July 26, 2024Headlines, State Government

One state legislature is looking to bolster the verification process for the credentials of educators. Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, is specifically calling for a comprehensive audit of the credential verification process for child counselors. Among a number of recent arrests due to educators having inappropriate contact with minors, Pettyjohn cited a recent report by WHYY in which a …

While some grant funds have gone toward Narcan and clean needle distribution, the commission now faces calls for better oversight on grantees. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE BY NICK STONESIFER

Delaware opioid officials blast the AG, then award $2 million in grants

Staff Writer July 18, 2024Headlines, State Government

This article is from Spotlight Delaware, written by Nick Stonesifer. Nearly three weeks after Attorney General Kathy Jennings sent a letter calling for a freeze to new state opioid grants, Delaware officials awarded $2 million to dozens of nonprofits that provide addiction services across the state. They approved the money during a heated meeting on Tuesday of the Behavioral Health Consortium …

Several car-related bills passed the state legislature this year.

Legislative Wrap-up: road, traffic, car bills passed in 2024

Jarek Rutz July 12, 2024Headlines, State Government

The Delaware General Assembly concluded its 2024 session with a flurry of bills affecting highways, traffic and cars, many focused on improving safety and reducing crashes. RELATED: Legislative Wrap-up: gun bills passed in 2024 House Bill 373 – donations for highway safety Sponsored by Rep. Bill Bush, D-Cheswold, the bill enables the Office of Highway Safety to solicit and receive …

a man using a laptop computer sitting on top of a wooden table

Council approves First State Inspection contract

Terry Rogers July 9, 2024Headlines, State Government

At a recent meeting, Milford City Council approved rate increases and a slight expansion in the contract with First State Inspection Agency (FSIA). The city has used the inspection agency since 2017 as an on-call option to cover when city building inspectors are overloaded or out of the office. The new contract includes changes in the fee structure used by …

Delaware Small Business announces two summer webinars

Terry Rogers July 8, 2024Business & Economy, Headlines, State Government

For businesses looking for retirement programs for their employees, Delaware EARNS is an option that can allow them to create such programs. Delaware EARNS is a retirement savings program for private-sector workers who don’t have access to a plan through their employer. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17 from 12 Noon until 1 PM. “This is a webinar …

A handful of dog bills and other animal-related bills passed through the General Assembly this year. (Photo by TheDogPhotographer/iStock Getty Images)

Legislative Wrap-up: animal-related bills passed in 2024

Jarek Rutz July 5, 2024Headlines, State Government

This year’s legislative session had a slew of bills related to animals and domestic pets that passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate. RELATED: Legislative Wrap-up: gun bills passed in 2024 From laws pertaining to financial and legal penalties for owners to laws aiming to prevent dog fighting, here are the animal bills that passed in 2024: House …

The Delaware General Assembly passed a few firearm bills this year, and a few more are hung up and can be brought back next year. (Photo by Mariusz Blach/Adobe Stock)

Legislative Wrap-up: gun bills passed in 2024

Jarek Rutz July 2, 2024Headlines, State Government

Delaware’s state legislature is not immune to the national discussions on key societal issues, such as firearms. With this year’s legislative session ending Sunday, here’s a look at the bills relating to guns that passed in 2024: House Bill 357 – definition of “firearm” Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, R-Clayton, the bill derives from a task force charged with updating …

Milford city clerk reflects on 45 years with the city

Terry Rogers July 1, 2024Headlines, State Government

At the end of June, Terri Hudson, Milford City Clerk retired from office, leaving a position she held since 1997. Over the years, Hudson has seen many changes come to the city. “When I responded to a newspaper ad for a crime analyst assistant in the Sussex Burglary Analysis Unit which was a federal program at Milford Police Department in …

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Medical journal points to Milford Wellness Village as model for rural health care
Peer-reviewed article says the Milford campus is improving access, supporting seniors and demonstrating the potential to reduce health care costs By George D. Rotsch, Editor of Milford LIVE MILFORD — A new article in the peer-reviewed Delaware Journal of Public Health identifies Milford Wellness Village as a promising model for delivering coordinated health care and social services in rural communities. The article concludes that the Milford campus is helping older adults manage chronic illnesses, remain independent and gain access to services that are often difficult to find in Kent and Sussex counties. Published by the Delaware Academy of Medicine and Public Health, the journal describes Milford Wellness Village as an integrated campus that brings together more than 30 health care and social-service providers at the former Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital property. The journal uses a formal peer-review process in which qualified experts evaluate submissions for scientific, policy and analytical value, including the strength of their conclusions and interpretation of evidence. That review gives the article greater credibility than a traditional promotional report, although its conclusions remain those of the authors. The article, “Milford Wellness Village — Foundation of Value-Based Care in Rural Delaware,” was written by health policy consultants Jeanne De Sa and Andrew Spicer. It argues that the village’s combination of medical care, senior services, rehabilitation, care coordination and social support could provide a blueprint for other rural communities. “By transforming this space into a co-located, multi-organizational ecosystem,” the authors wrote, Milford Wellness Village provides a broad continuum of care in one location. The 22-acre campus includes a 256,000-square-foot former hospital building that has been redeveloped rather than demolished or converted to an unrelated commercial use. The journal said the approach preserved a familiar, centrally located health care facility while avoiding some of the time and expense associated with building a new campus. Addressing rural health care gaps The article says older residents in southern Delaware face a series of interconnected challenges, including provider shortages, transportation difficulties, social isolation and fragmented medical care. Those barriers can contribute to unnecessary emergency-room visits, interrupted treatment and the premature placement of seniors in nursing facilities, according to the authors. Milford Wellness Village was designed to address those problems by placing providers and support organizations near one another and creating systems through which they can coordinate care. Services on the campus range from primary and preventive care to physical therapy, behavioral health, chronic-disease management, senior care and skilled nursing. Providers and programs identified by the journal include Village Primary Care, La Red Health Center, Aquacare Physical Therapy, Easterseals Delaware, PACE Your LIFE and Polaris Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center. PACE Your LIFE provides coordinated medical, nutritional, rehabilitative and social services for older adults who need a nursing-home level of care but prefer to continue living in the community. Polaris operates a 100-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility designed in part to help patients recover after hospitalization and return safely to independent living. Evidence of improved outcomes The journal points to the WeCare program as one of the strongest examples of the village’s potential impact. Administered by Education Health and Research International, WeCare uses nurses and care coordinators to assist at-risk seniors across southern Delaware. Its services include chronic-disease education, diabetes management, fall prevention and medication support. According to the article, a three-year independent evaluation by the University of Delaware found that WeCare participants reported improvements in quality of life and maintained or improved their ability to perform activities associated with daily living. A related analysis conducted with the Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance and the Delaware Health Information Network found measurable savings in health care use among participants when compared with a similar group of older adults who were not enrolled, the journal reported. The authors said those findings suggest coordinated community care can reduce the risk of expensive hospitalization or institutional care while allowing more older adults to remain at home. Moving toward value-based care The article describes Milford Wellness Village as an example of “value-based care,” a system in which providers are rewarded for improved health outcomes and efficient care rather than simply for performing a larger number of services. Under that approach, services such as patient navigation, disease management, nutrition assistance and transportation support can be treated as part of health care because they may prevent more costly medical problems later. The journal argues that the village’s structure is particularly well suited to that model because providers can coordinate treatment, monitor outcomes and address both medical conditions and the social circumstances that affect a patient’s health. The article says the campus could help reduce spending by Medicare and Medicaid if coordinated care results in fewer hospital admissions, emergency visits and unnecessary nursing-home placements. Training the rural workforce The journal also highlights Milford Wellness Village’s role in addressing southern Delaware’s health care workforce shortage. Milford Wellness Village and Education Health and Research International are working with Delaware State University on training and clinical programs focused on the needs of older adults. The article says the federal Health Resources and Services Administration awarded a $5 million grant to Delaware State University and its lead partner, EHRI, to expand evidence-based chronic-disease programs for older adults with complex medical needs. The authors conclude that the village offers “a highly reproducible blueprint” for geriatric and rural health care by combining clinical treatment, social services, workforce training and the reuse of an existing community asset. TO-GO BOX Milford Wellness Village What it is: A 22-acre health care and social-services campus developed at the former Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital property. What the journal says: A peer-reviewed article in the Delaware Journal of Public Health identifies the village as a promising model for coordinated rural health care, particularly for older adults and people managing chronic illnesses. Services available: Primary care, rehabilitation, behavioral health, chronic-disease management, senior services, skilled nursing, care coordination and social support. Key finding: The article cites research indicating that participants in the WeCare program experienced improved quality of life and maintained or […]
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Milford Wellness Village helps parents manage care, time and family life
From primary care and pediatrics to childcare, therapy, transportation and pharmacy services, the Milford campus can help families save time, reduce stress and receive more coordinated care. By George Rotsch, Editor of Milford LIVE MILFORD, DE: For a Milford mother juggling work, school schedules, medical appointments and the everyday demands of raising young children, health care can quickly become a maze of separate offices, long drives and missed time. Milford Wellness Village is designed to make that easier. The campus brings together a wide range of health, childcare and family-support services in one location, giving parents a place where they can address many of their family’s needs without traveling from office to office across town — or across the county. For families with young children, that can mean more than convenience. It can save time, reduce stress, help parents keep up with appointments and allow families to spend more of their limited free time together. A parent could visit the campus for primary care, pediatric care, pharmacy support, therapy, childcare, physical therapy or help navigating a child’s developmental or medical needs. For a mother managing care for more than one child — or caring for a child with a chronic condition, disability or behavioral-health need — having so many services in one place can make follow-through more realistic. Primary care, pediatrics and pharmacy in one place Among the key services available at Milford Wellness Village are primary care options for parents and children. Village Primary Care offers full-service primary care for adults and families including preventive care, chronic care, and acute visits. For children and adolescents, La Red Health Center offers pediatric and adolescent care, along with women’s health, oral health, behavioral health and chronic disease screening. That combination can be especially helpful for families that need care for both a parent and a child. The campus also includes Genoa Healthcare Pharmacy, an on-site pharmacy that provides personalized medication support. For parents, that can reduce the extra stop that often comes after a doctor’s appointment. Childcare and specialized support for children The village also includes services that go beyond the traditional doctor’s office. Bright Path Kids offers affordable, high-quality childcare with small group sizes, low ratios and flexible scheduling — an important resource for working parents. Nurses ’n Kids provides specialized care for infants and children with acute or chronic medical needs, developmental delays or nutritional challenges. The program is one of only a few of its kind in Delaware and can be a major source of support for families whose children need more than standard childcare. Families of children with disabilities or developmental needs can also find support through Easterseals, the Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism and the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative. Easterseals provides children’s therapies, respite services, caregiver support, and case management. The Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism offers training and support for families of children with autism. The Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative helps families access assistive devices for children with developmental or physical needs. Support for the whole family The village’s model also recognizes that parents need support, too. Essential Voyage provides therapy for women and children dealing with issues such as PTSD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder and depression. Serenity Consulting offers counseling for individuals, couples, children and families. Those services can be especially important for parents managing stress, family transitions, behavioral-health challenges or the emotional toll of caring for a child with complex needs. Aquacare Physical Therapy also serves families through orthopedic care, pelvic therapy and a wellness gym — services that may be useful for mothers recovering after childbirth or parents dealing with pain, mobility issues or injury. For families without reliable transportation, AEC Medical Transport provides non-emergency medical transportation to help patients get to appointments. And for parents moving between appointments, childcare pickup or therapy sessions, the Village Café offers on-campus breakfast and lunch options. Less driving, more family time For a busy parent, the value of Milford Wellness Village may be measured in hours saved and stress avoided. Instead of scheduling appointments at multiple locations, arranging transportation across town, filling prescriptions somewhere else and trying to coordinate childcare separately, families can find many of those services on one campus. That can make it easier to keep children on track with care, help parents stay current with their own health needs and reduce the burden that often falls on families trying to manage everything alone. For Milford families, the village is more than a collection of providers. It is a practical support system — one that can help parents care for their children, care for themselves and still have time left to live life together as a family. Family-focused services and partners at Milford Wellness Village Primary care Village Primary Care Pediatrics and child-focused care La Red Health Center Nurses ’n Kids Pharmacy Genoa Healthcare Pharmacy Childcare Bright Path Kids Therapy and behavioral health Essential Voyage Serenity Consulting Family and caregiver support Easterseals Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative Physical therapy and wellness Aquacare Physical Therapy Transportation AEC Medical Transport Food and convenience Village Café
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Delaware healthcare professionals to gather in Dover for geriatric care symposium
Wesley College of Health & Behavioral Sciences at Delaware State University and Education Health & Research International at Milford Wellness Village are collaborating to bring healthcare professionals together to explore geriatric and age-friendly care. DOVER — As Delaware’s population continues to age, healthcare professionals from across the state will gather on June 5 at Delaware State University for a symposium focused on one critical question: How can healthcare systems, providers, and community partners work together to improve care for Delaware’s aging population? The Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program Symposium, presented by the Wesley College of Health & Behavioral Sciences at Delaware State University and Education Health & Research International at Milford Wellness Village, will take place from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center on the university’s Dover campus. The event is designed to help nurses, physicians, caregivers, social workers, and other healthcare professionals better understand the unique and changing needs of seniors as they age. Organizers say the symposium will focus on translating evidence-based practices, education, and current geriatric care practices into practical knowledge that can improve care for older adults throughout Delaware. Addressing Delaware’s aging population The symposium comes as Delaware continues to experience significant growth in its senior population, increasing demand for healthcare workers trained in geriatric care. The event is part of Delaware’s broader Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, a federally funded initiative supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program is helping to strengthen Delaware’s ability to care for older adults through workforce training, caregiver support, and community partnerships. At the center of that effort are Karen L. Panunto, EdD, MSN, RN, Principal Investigator for the Delaware GWEP and Tracy Harpe, DNP, RN, Co-Principal Investigator for the program. Panunto oversees the more than $5 million federal grant supporting the program and directs partnerships among Delaware State University, Education and Health Research International at Milford Wellness Village, and aging services organizations across the state. Her work focuses on strengthening geriatric education, expanding dementia-capable care, supporting family caregivers, and preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to meet the needs of an aging population. Building a stronger geriatric workforce The symposium reflects the broader mission of the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, which seeks to improve care for older adults by educating current and future healthcare professionals. Through collaboration between the Wesley College of Health & Behavioral Sciences at Delaware State University and Education Health & Research International at Milford Wellness Village, the program supports education and training in gerontology, chronic disease management, dementia care, and community-based healthcare. Because Delaware State University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), organizers say the program also emphasizes reducing health disparities, expanding access to care, and serving underserved communities across Kent and Sussex counties. The agenda focuses on practical senior-care challenges. This year’s symposium theme is “Advancing Age-Friendly Care Across the Continuum: Strengthening Geriatric Care Systems in Delaware through Education, Practice, and Community Partnerships.” The day begins with a Welcome and Opening Remarks featuring: Dr. Gwendolyn Scott-Jones, Dean of Graduate, Adult & Extended Studies | Wesley College Health & Behavioral Sciences at Delaware State University Rabbi Halberstam, Chief Strategy Officer for Education Health & Research International Dr. Karen L. Panunto, Associate Professor/MSN Program Director, & Principal Investigator for Delaware Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program at Delaware State University Morning sessions will address several key challenges facing seniors and their healthcare providers: Pharmacology and Geriatric Patient: Avoiding Harm from Medication Lois Chappel, DNP, APC, will discuss how aging affects how the body processes medications and explore strategies to reduce medication-related harm among seniors. Advanced Care Planning in Skilled Nursing Facilities Christie Whitlock, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, will present advanced care planning in skilled nursing facilities, helping providers and families better prepare for future healthcare decisions. Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model Clinton Middleton, MSN, APRN, FNP-D, will introduce the GUIDE Model (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience), which focuses on improving care for individuals living with dementia while providing support for family caregivers. Comprehensive Primary Care: Across the Lifespan Following lunch, Louis Silverstein, MD, will discuss how healthcare providers can deliver coordinated care that addresses the changing physical, emotional, and social needs of adults as they age. Strengthening Geriatric Care Systems in Delaware The symposium concludes with a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Gwendolyn Scott-Jones that explores ways healthcare providers, educators, and community organizations can work together to improve services for older adults. Why the symposium matters Organizers say the topics reflect many of the most important issues affecting seniors today, including healthy aging, medication management, dementia care, caregiver support, mental health, and maintaining independence. The goal is not only to educate healthcare professionals but also to strengthen the network of organizations and providers working to improve the quality of life for older Delawareans. As Delaware’s senior population continues to grow, leaders at Delaware State University, Education Health & Research International, and the Delaware Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program hope the symposium will strengthen Delaware’s healthcare workforce with knowledge, skills, and collaborative partnerships needed to support healthy aging for years to come. If You Go What: Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Symposium Theme: Advancing Age-Friendly Care Across the Continuum: Strengthening Geriatric Care Systems in Delaware through Education, Practice, and Community Partnerships When: Friday, June 5, 2026 Time: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center, Parlor A, Delaware State University, 1200 N. Dupont Highway, Dover Presented by: Wesley College of Health & Behavioral Sciences at Delaware State University, Education Health Research International at Milford Wellness Village, and the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program Who Should Attend: Physicians, nurses, CNAs, social workers, case managers, community health workers, senior-care professionals, students, and caregivers Registration: go.desu.edu/GWEP2026 Cost: Free Purpose: To share education on evidence-based age-friendly care practices that support senior health, wellness, and caregiving with Delaware’s healthcare workforce and community partners.
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