Delaware Hope Line: Community Resources For Your Behavioral Health
Outbreaks are stressful. Fear and anxiety about a disaster can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Managing your mental health and coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger! Call the Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE if you or someone you care about are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others.
Weather: 8/27 – 8/29
The remnants from Hurricane Laura will bring a risk of severe storms, isolated tornadoes and heavy rain to the region Saturday afternoon and evening. Ahead of this, heat will build today and Friday with heat index values 100 degrees and hotter.
Scattered thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening and again Friday afternoon. Some storms may produce damaging winds and heavy rain. There is a better chance for severe storms Saturday afternoon and evening as the remnants of Hurricane Laura track across the region.
It will be hot today and Friday with heat index values 100 degrees or hotter.
Small Craft Advisories are likely Saturday into Sunday with south winds of 20 to 25 kt. Expect higher gusts in thunderstorms especially Saturday afternoon and evening.
State Formalizes Mask Guidance for Children, Requires Schools to Notify Families of Public Cases
Governor John Carney on Wednesday signed the 25th modification to his State of Emergency declaration, formalizing new face covering requirements for children. The modification also requires Delaware schools to notify families if they become aware of positive cases of COVID-19 in their schools.
Click here to read Governor Carney’s modification.
“Delawareans are beating this virus and driving our numbers down. But if we hope to get more children and educators back in school, and more Delawareans back to work, we need to stay vigilant, ” said Governor Carney. “Wear a face mask. Wash your hands frequently. Stay at least six feet away from others. Stay home if you’re sick. And – whether you have symptoms or you don’t – consider getting a test at de.gov/gettested.”
The modification also suspends formal observations under the DPAS II system until November 1, and directs the Department of Education to work with educators to develop a modified system for tracking student growth, taking into account the challenges of remote and hybrid learning. For the months of September and October, the Department of Education will work with districts, charters, and educators on informal observation strategies and ensure educators are receiving feedback and administrators are giving feedback in a new way given the challenges presented by hybrid and remote learning.
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
Report violations of COVID-19 restrictions by emailing HSPContact@delaware.gov.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to //de.gov/coronavirus.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: 8/25/2020
Strong to severe thunderstorms, capable of producing damaging winds, are possible across the region later this afternoon and evening.
Damaging winds could lead to tree damage and power outages.
Grant Program for Small Businesses & Non-Profits Affected by COVID-19
Governor John Carney, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and the Delaware Division of Small Business on Wednesday announced grant program of at least $100 million to assist Delaware small businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
The DE Relief Grants program announced on Wednesday is a joint initiative of the State of Delaware and New Castle County, and is funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The program is expected to reach more than 3,000 small businesses and nonprofit organizations with grants ranging from $30,000 to $100,000. The Division of Small Business is administering the program and will begin accepting applications in early September at delbiz.com/relief.
“Delaware small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they have made considerable sacrifices during the COVID-19 crisis. We owe them our gratitude and support,” said Governor Carney. “These relief grants will help Delaware small businesses begin the process of recovering and will help make investments necessary to create safer spaces for their customers and staff.”
“Small businesses and nonprofits are facing expensive costs as they retrofit their workplaces,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “We’re pleased to be able to join with the State of Delaware in supporting this important program.”
DE Relief Grants can be used for:
- Purchasing equipment to make a workplace suitable for COVID-19 safety (such as PPE, plexiglass, air purifiers, etc.)
- Refinancing of debt incurred due to COVID-19 (including State of Delaware HELP loans)
- Advertising efforts undertaken as a result of COVID-19
- Fixed expenses the applicant accrued during COVID-19
“I’ve seen small businesses across Delaware do some amazing things to adapt and stay afloat under the extraordinary circumstances of the last six months, but so many are hanging by a thread as the pandemic drags on,” said Representative Bill Bush, who chairs the House Economic Development, Banking and Insurance Committee. “This grant funding represents a lifeline that will help our small business community overcome the next phase of this crisis.”
“This is about much more than making up for lost revenue,” said Senator Trey Paradee, chair of the Senate Banking, Business and Insurance Committee. “It’s about helping keep the doors open at the small businesses in Kent County and across the state that provide Delawareans with the paychecks and health care their families are relying on now more than ever. It’s about making our businesses safe.”
“Delaware small businesses and nonprofits have been remarkably resilient in dealing with this pandemic,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “They are the backbone of Delaware’s economy, and we feel it is imperative that the state continues to support them.”
“Multiple programs are necessary to address the challenges Delaware’s small businesses face,” said Damian DeStefano, Director of the Division of Small Business. “We believe this assistance, coupled with other efforts, including the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP) and the COVID-19 Customer Protection Standards, help make the difference for some of our small businesses.”
The Division of Small Business will begin accepting applications in early September and will follow with funding rounds in early October and November.
“DE Relief Grants are a welcome commitment by the state to help support our small business community and the valuable jobs they offer to so many Delawareans,” said Carrie Leishman, President & CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association. “The effects of the pandemic have and continue to hit the food services industry particularly hard. While no single effort is a panacea, this program will certainly help restaurants as they work to stabilize revenues while protecting the health and safety of customers and employees.”
“Enhanced financial support for small businesses was a key recommendation of the business subcommittee of Governor Carney’s Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee, and has been advocated for by the state chamber,” said Katie Wilkinson, chair of the PRAC Business Subcommittee and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. “These grants can make the difference for the survival of some of our small businesses over the next few months.”
The Division of Small Business’ team of Regional Business Managers is available to help companies prepare their applications. Small businesses can connect with the manager for their part of the state at delbiz.com/contact. For more information on DE Relief Grants, visit delbiz.com/relief.
The size of the relief grant will be based up the business or nonprofit’s 2019 revenue:
- $0-$500,000: Up to $30,000
- $500,000-$1 million: Up to $50,000
- $1 million-$2.5 million: Up to $72,500
- $2.5+ million: Up to $100,000
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
Yard Waste Pick-Up: 8/18/2020
Due to truck issues, the yard waste pickup originally scheduled for today has been postponed until tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19th. Please leave everything out by the road and it will be picked up in the morning.
Flash Flood Watch: 8/13/2020
A flash flood watch is in effect until midnight. Showers and thunderstorms into this evening will be capable of producing heavy rain. Much of our region is more vulnerable than normal to flash flooding due to the recent heavy rainfall. The ground remains saturated, and streams and creeks are already running high.
Red Cross Recovery Assistance (Tropical Storm Isaias)
The American Red Cross is continuing to support communities affected by Tropical Storm Isaias across the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region. A hotline has been set up for those who are still in need of Red Cross recovery assistance. Please call 202-796-8451 if you are in need of assistance.
What kind of services does the Red Cross provide after a disaster?
After emergencies, the Red Cross helps meet the urgent needs of people affected. We focus on providing safe shelter, food, emotional support, first aid and health services, and emergency relief supplies, such as blankets, hygiene items and cleaning supplies.
The Red Cross also plays a critical role in helping families and communities recover in the weeks and months after a disaster. We think about the future and planning for how to help impacted communities recover in the months and years ahead—which often includes bringing groups and agencies together to plan recovery activities.
The Red Cross works closely with local partners to create plans and coordinate recovery services to ensure people get the assistance that they need to get back on their feet.
Red Cross caseworkers may connect one-on-one with people to create individual recovery plans, navigate paperwork and locate help from other organizations.
Who is eligible for Red Cross services?
When an emergency happens, the Red Cross delivers help to whoever needs it, and, as part of our humanitarian mission, will feed, shelter and provide other forms of support regardless of race, religion or citizenship status. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and people who have disaster-caused needs do not need to be American citizens to access Red Cross services.
Council Organizational Meeting: 8/10/2020
Three Council Members were re-elected and sworn in for another 2-year term today! Congratulations to Gardner Bunting, Vicki Carmean, and Bernie Merritt!
Also, congratulations to the following Council Members on retaining their positions for another year:
- Mayor Gene Langan
- Vice Mayor Richard Mais
- Treasurer Gardner Bunting
- Secretary Bernie Merritt
Governor Carney Formally Extends State of Emergency Until 9/4/2020
Governor John Carney on Wednesday formally extended the State of Emergency declaration another 30 days to confront community spread of COVID-19, and issued the following statement:
“The precautions you’re taking are working. We are beating COVID-19, but we can’t let up. This virus is still out there, and it can cause serious illness. We know from public health experts that following basic health precautions is the best way to prevent community spread. Wearing a face mask in public settings is still required by this State of Emergency declaration. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Keep your distance from others outside your household. Know your COVID-19 status by getting a test. Visit de.gov/gettested to find a testing site near you. Thank you to all Delawareans and visitors who are following these precautions.”
Governor Carney’s State of Emergency declaration – including each of its modifications – carries the full force and effect of law. Delawareans and visitors also must follow local restrictions in place to limit community spread of COVID-19.
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
Report a business for COVID-19 non-compliance using this form.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
