Milford Wellness Village to anchor $1.25M federal grant expanding chronic-disease self-management for adults with disabilities

EHRI, based at the Milford campus, begins implementing the February award with statewide partners

MILFORD, Del. — A $1.25 million federal grant awarded in February is positioning the Milford Wellness Village as a central hub for expanded mental health education services across Delaware, with Education Health & Research International leading the effort.

EHRI, which is headquartered at the Wellness Village, received the funding through the Administration for Community Living, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The organization is responsible for designing and implementing the program, while the Milford campus will serve as the operational base and coordination center.

Planning is now underway, with EHRI working alongside a network of healthcare and community partners to prepare for a phased rollout in the coming months.

“The project directly addresses combined health factors that lower quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities, such as increased healthcare costs and a strain on caregivers and health systems,” said Rabbi Halberstam, EHRI’s chief strategy officer.

How the pieces fit together

The initiative brings together three key elements:

• The federal grant provides funding and a program framework focused on prevention and independent living
• EHRI acts as the lead organization, responsible for program development, coordination, and delivery
• Milford Wellness Village serves as the physical hub where services, partners, and outreach efforts are connected

This structure reflects a broader shift in healthcare toward community-based models that integrate medical, behavioral health, and social services in one location.

Focus on mental health and chronic conditions

The program will prioritize individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and stress tied to caregiving, grief, financial hardship, or new diagnoses.

Rather than providing direct clinical treatment, the initiative emphasizes education and self-management, including:

• Workshops on stress, grief, and anxiety
• Tools for managing chronic illness alongside mental health challenges
• Support resources for caregivers
• Connections to local healthcare and social services

Officials say the goal is to help participants stabilize earlier, reducing the need for emergency care or long-term institutional support.

Statewide reach through local partners

While anchored in Milford, the program is designed to extend across Delaware through a network of partner organizations, including:

• Mental Health Association in Delaware
• Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore
• Jewish Family Services
• La Red Health Center
• WeCare Services
• PACE Your Life
• Beebe Healthcare
• Modern Maturity Center

These partners will help deliver programming in community settings, expanding access to populations that may not engage with traditional healthcare systems.

A growing model for community-based care

The initiative comes as Delaware faces increasing demand for mental health services and caregiver support, particularly among its aging population.

By linking federal funding, a lead nonprofit organization, and a centralized health campus, the program positions Milford as a model for integrated, community-based care—focused on prevention, education, and long-term independence.

What’s next

With planning now underway following the February award, EHRI officials say program details—including enrollment opportunities and community workshops—will be announced in the coming months as implementation begins.

For Milford Wellness Village, the grant reinforces its role not just as a healthcare campus, but as a coordinating center for innovative, community-driven health solutions across the state.