NewsInforming & Connecting

Office of Management and Budget Hearing Testimony

A.N.D. Executive Director, Thomas Cook prepared and presented the following testimony to the Office of Management and Budget on January 31st, 2023:

Testimony on the Department of Labor’s FY 2024 Budget

On February 1st, 2023 A.N.D. Executive Director, Thomas Cook presented the following testimony to Delaware’s Joint Finance Committee:

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT – EASTERSEALS IN THE TOP 3%

Congratulations to Easterseals of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore for their recent excellent review by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Services (CARF). Easterseals underwent a rigorous review of their Adult Day Health Services programs; Intellectual Disability Services programs, including Employment Services, Job Development and Community Integration; Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy and Assistive Technology Services; […]

BREAKING NEWS: McNesby Act will be fully funded this year!

The Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.) thanks the members of the General Assembly and Governor Carney for fully funding the McNesby Act, which was passed in 2018. The state’s FY 2023 budget increases funding for I/DD services by $16.4 million, which will draw down another $27.5 million in Medicaid matching funds. This funding is on […]

Ability Network of Delaware’s Response to Governor Carney’s Proposed FY 2023 State Budget – Delaware’s Human Services Need to Be a Higher Priority

Governor John Carney presented his Fiscal Year 2023 budget recommendations to the General Assembly and the state’s citizens on January 27th. A.N.D.’s Executive Director Thomas Cook responded with a press release that requests increased funding of I/DD and SUD services. Cook also noted that more work needs to be done to rebuild the human services […]

A.N.D. Executive Director, Thomas Cook testifies in OMB Budget Hearing for Increased funding for I/DD and Behavioral Health Services

Survey Reports Shed Light on Vaccine Acceptance and the Potential Impact of Vaccine Mandates

Two surveys were recently released with promising results. The first showed that Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) appear to be catching up with other health care workers in accepting vaccines and the second revealed that service providers are not too worried about the impact of vaccine and testing mandates. The Institute on Community Integration, in partnership […]

Delaware Passes Record-Setting $17.225 Million Funding Increase for Disability Services

This funding brings Direct Support Professionals 85% of the way toward the funding benchmark set by Delaware’s Division of Developmental Disabilities Services. WILMINGTON, Del. — May 28, 2021 — Delaware’s Joint Finance Committee passed a record-breaking increase in the State’s budget for intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) services on Tuesday, May 26. The $17,225,400.00 commitment […]

Workforce in Crisis: Chronic Underfunding Puts Disability Services at a Tipping Point

Melinda South, the Delaware executive director for KenCrest and Board President for the Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.), shares her thoughts on the workforce crisis Delaware’s intellectual and developmental disability service providers currently face. “Without fully funding the I/DD services system, Delaware’s disability providers won’t be able to hire, train, or retain direct care workers. […]

A.N.D. Executive Director Testifies at JFC Hearing on FY 2022 Budget for the DDDS and DSAMH

Executive Director of the Ability Network of Delaware Thomas Cook testified at the Joint Finance Committee Hearing on February 25, 2021. He shared his thoughts on Governor Carney’s recommended budget for FY 2022 for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services and the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. Read his full Division of Developmental […]

Delaware’s Impending Workforce Shortage: Why Fully Funding Services for I/DD Is Good for Everybody

Delaware faces a workforce crisis in an industry that serves thousands of our most vulnerable citizens: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The solution is to recognize the costs of providing quality care to people with I/DD by fully funding these critical services to keep the workforce above the minimum wage level. Learn more […]

Coronavirus in Delaware: Updates and News for Providers and the Disability Community

CURRENT & UPCOMING PROVIDER CLOSURES CERTS: Closing Adult Action Centers at close of business on March 18, 2020. Current plans are to re-open on April 6, 2020. Chimes Delaware: Day program services are suspended through March 27, 2020. Easterseals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore: View the full list of closures and service suspensions. Elwyn: Work […]

Failure to Fund the McNesby Act in Delaware’s FY 2021 Recommended Budget Ignores Findings of Economic Impact Study Data Released Today

Independent third-party economic study verifies that Delaware’s investments in services for intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) would create a five-fold impact on Delaware’s economy. Gov. Carney’s FY 2021 recommended budget does not include new funding for these services. The FY 2021 recommended budget for Delaware that Gov. Carney unveiled on Thurs., Jan. 30, 2020 did […]

A.N.D. Unveils a “Simple Solution” to Improve Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Treatment in Delaware

The four-part approach brings together tools Delaware already has in place to help service providers offer more comprehensive and efficient treatment for substance use disorder and mental health issues. Today, the Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.) unveiled a new website detailing the four-part plan to improve substance use disorder and mental health treatment in Delaware. […]

Ability Network of Delaware Hosts the 10th Annual DSP Day Celebration on Aug. 29

Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.), a nonprofit association founded in 1988 to represent community service providers, today announced that legislators, advocates, families and friends will join hundreds of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at the 10th annual DSP Day celebration on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. At the awards luncheon held that day, DSPs will be honored […]

Ability Network of Delaware’s Response to the Joint Finance Committee Vote on McNesby Act Appropriation

Today, Delaware’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) voted to approve $4 million for FY 2020 to help close the funding gap for services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). “Because so many DSPs have left their positions in nonprofit agencies like Elwyn and Easterseals to take better-paying jobs in Delaware and the mid-Atlantic region, […]

14 Is Fair for Direct Care – a Rally to Support Funding for the McNesby Act – Will Take Place on May 15th at Legislative Mall in Dover

Rally attendees will advocate for full funding of services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. WILMINGTON, Del. – May 9,  2019 –  Family, friends, legislators and advocates for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) will gather at 10:30 a.m. on May 15, 2019 at Legislative Mall in Dover to support full funding for […]

A.N.D. Executive Director Testifies at JFC Hearing on FY 2020 Budget for the DDDS and DSAMH

Executive Director of the Ability Network of Delaware Thomas Cook testified at the Joint Finance Committee Hearing on February 21, 2019. He shared his thoughts on Governor Carney’s recommended budget for FY 2020 for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services and the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. Read his full Division of Developmental […]

The Truth About Homelessness in Delaware

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) who cares for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Delaware makes $11.50/hour on average. To afford a 2-bedroom apartment, they need to work 76.5 hours per week. This is why it is so important to fully fund the I/DD system in Delaware Learn more about the cost of low-income […]

Summary of Payment Issues Experienced by Treatment Providers of Substance Use Disorders in Delaware

On September 12th, 2018 the Ability Network of Delaware conducted a roundtable meeting with the CEOs of its member organizations that provide behavioral health services. Three organizations that do not belong to the provider association accepted an invitation to attend; two of them subsequently joined the association. The invitation included the following discussion topics: Payment […]

Gov. Carney to Sign the McNesby Act Sept. 4, 2018

On Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018 at 9:45 AM, Delaware Gov. John Carney will sign HB 104, known as the “Michael McNesby Full Funding for Adults with I/DD Act.” The signing will take place at Elwyn, a nonprofit human services agency located at 321 E. 11th St. in Wilmington, Del. The McNesby Act was introduced last […]

U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D) to Give Keynote Address at the A.N.D. Direct Support Professionals Day Celebration on Aug. 30

Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.), founded in 1988 to represent disability service providers and Delawareans with disabilities and their families, today announced that U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D) will join hundreds of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at the annual Direct Support Professionals Day on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. The luncheon honors DSPs for the […]

A.N.D Executive Director Thomas Cook Delivers Testimony to the House Health and Human Development Committee Hearing on The McNesby Act

On June 13, 2018, A.N.D. Executive Director Thomas Cook Delivered Testimony to the House Health and Human Development Committee Hearing. He spoke about House Amendment 1 to House Substitute 1 for The Michael McNesby Full Funding for Adults with I/DD Act. Read his full testimony here.

Statement from C. Thomas Cook on Joint Finance Committee Funding Appropriation

This week, the State of Delaware’s Joint Finance Committee drafted its recommended operating budget for the next fiscal year. Among the notable milestones was the approval of $4.67 million in funding for services supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ability Network of Delaware Executive Director C. Thomas Cook expressed his appreciation to Governor Carney and members of the JFC. […]

Delaware House Bill 104 Renamed to Honor the Late Michael McNesby

Dover, Del., May 2, 2018 – As momentum grows for the state of Delaware to fully fund programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Representative Melanie George Smith announced that the bill written to mandate this funding will be renamed in honor of Michael McNesby. What has been known as House Bill 104 will […]

The Whole 9 – A Rally to Support HB 104 – Will Take Place on May 10th at Legislative Mall in Dover

The Whole 9 Rally participants will gather on May 10, 2018, at Legislative Mall in Dover to make their voices heard on an important issue: the need to fully fund services for Delawareans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants will gather to tell Governor Carney and the General Assembly that the time is now to […]

A.N.D. Executive Director Thomas Cook Delivers Three Testimonies at 2018 Joint Finance Committee Hearings

On January 30, 2018, Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.) Executive Director Thomas Cook testified at the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) budget hearing for the Office of Management and Budget on Supporting Employment of People with Disabilities. Click below to read his testimony: Support Employment of People with Disabilities: Bring the State Use Set-Aside Contract Up to […]

$5,363,842 total wages earned! 476,499 total hours worked! $11.26 average hourly wage!

Those are the remarkable numbers that represent the success of the 2017 State of Delaware’s commitment to employing individuals with disabilities. The Ability Network of Delaware’s State Use Law program, under the guidance of the State Use Law Commission, is able to place hundreds of adult Delawareans with disabilities and other life challenges in meaningful […]

A.N.D Hosts Direct Support Professionals Day 2017 Celebration

On August 31, 2017, Ability Network of Delaware and its members came together to honor Direct Support Professionals in our community on the 8th annual Direct Support Professionals Day. This special event is meant to show our appreciation for the hard work DSPs do every day helping Delawareans with disabilities while supporting themselves and their […]

Registration is Open for 2017 Conducting Serious Incident Investigations Training

A.N.D. is offering the Conducting Serious Incident Investigations training to meet the requirement in PM 46 regarding investigations training. The curriculum and will include the fundamental principles of conducting investigations including: the types and forms of evidence, investigative techniques for collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, taking statements and reconciling conflicting testimony. This training teaches investigative skills […]

A.N.D. Leadership Gives Testimony at FY18 JFC Budget Hearings

This week, members of the Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.) leadership team testified at Joint Finance Committee (JFC) budget hearings for both the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health and the Division of Developmental Disability Services.  On Tuesday, February 7th, A.N.D. Associate Executive Director, Carolyn Petrak, spoke to the JFC about the need to […]

Report Points to Solutions for the Public Health Crisis of Addictions

On Thursday, November 17, A.N.D. received the following message from Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO, National Council for Behavioral Health: Addiction is one of the nation’s most pressing health concerns. One in seven Americans experience an addiction in their lifetime, and even more will misuse substances. Addiction is a chronic disease that puts a person […]

A.N.D. Executive Director, Thomas Cook Delivers Testimony at OMB Budget Public Hearing

Ability Network of Delaware, Executive Director, Thomas Cook, delivered testimony on Wednesday, November 9th at an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) public hearing in Dover.  Mr. Cook spoke in front of OMB director, Brian Maxwell and staff to encourage the support of $393, 496 in proposed price adjustments to contracts in janitorial services that […]

A.N.D. Applauds Collaboration that Fosters Future Social Service Workers

At the monthly quality meeting of the Document Imaging and Scanning (DIS) team of the Division of Social Services, Ability Network of Delaware member agency,  DePaul Industries  awarded 3 temporary staff certificates of appreciation for their outstanding performance provided to the state. There are multiple service centers in the state that provide countless support services […]

Ability Network of Delaware Launches Petition Campaign in Support of HB433

On September 1, 2016 the Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.) launched a petition campaign in support of House Bill (HB) 433, legislation introduced in June 2016 by Representative Melanie George Smith, the co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee.  HB 433 mandates that services to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities be funded at 100% of the market […]

Thomas Cook, Executive Director Testifies at House Health Committee in Support of HB433

On Wednesday, June 22, 2016, Thomas Cook, executive director of the Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.) testified in support of House Bill 433, an act that will mandate the funding of developmental disability services in Delaware at 100% of the market rate. In his testimony, Thomas reported the House Health Committee that the Developmental Disability […]

DelARF Relaunched as the Ability Network of Delaware

March 23, 2016, marked a new beginning for the Delaware Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (DelARF). As of that date, DelARF began doing business as the Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.). This new identity more accurately reflects the focus of the Association’s membership on the strengths of the people they serve and the rich community interactions […]

April Member Spotlight

DelARF is proud to shine our Member Spotlight for the month of April, Autism Awareness Month, on Autism Delaware. As part of the month’s awareness activities, Autism Delaware was on hand in Legislative Hall on April 2nd for Smart Cookie Day, an annual opportunity to meet with members of the First State’s General Assembly. Autism […]

2015 DSP Day Call for Nominations!

It is time once again to honor our most dedicated and remarkable professionals at the 2015 DSP Day Luncheon. Nominate an outstanding DSP and join us for 2015 Direct Support Professionals Day on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. Download the Call for Nominations for this year’s event for instructions, guidelines and more details. The deadline […]

A.N.D. Sponsored Janitorial Training

Working in collaboration with our partners from SourceAmerica, DelARF sponsored a 3-day Janitorial Training event in New Castle April 7th through 9th. The training was designed to benefit the entry-level custodial employee as well as teach seasoned managers some of the best practices in the janitorial services arena. Source America’s Charles “Mickey” Crowe, one of the […]

Member Advantages

We are pleased to announce that we have entered into a new partnership to benefit all of our members. The Outside-In® Companies, CBI Group, Placers and Barton Career Advisors provide talent management services in recruitment, temporary staffing, and outplacement. “We know that talent can be a real difference maker in your company. As a DelARF member, […]