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The Delaware County Weekly
Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!
—— April 12, 2024 (116th edition) ——
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Delaware County Health Department Invites Public Input on Community Health Assessment | Public comment sought through April 19 | |
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The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) announced the completion of its first Community Health Assessment (CHA) process with the recent publication of a series of final reports now available on the CHA website. DCHD's aim through the CHA was to identify and analyze public health issues affecting Delaware County communities and to provide accurate data that can be used to develop strategies to improve the health of Delaware County residents.
Over the past year, DCHD engaged with a variety of community-based organizations and government agencies, including the AIDS Care Group, Chester Chaplains Corporation, Chester City, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, The Delaware County Intermediate Unit, The Delaware County Medical Society, Family and Community Service of Delaware County, The Foundation for Delaware County, Haverford Township, and Widener University, as well as the Delaware County Departments of Emergency Services, Health, Human Services, Planning, and the Offices of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Medical Examiner.
DCHD’s CHA process also leveraged significant input from Delaware County residents. In 2023, Delaware County residents provided first-hand accounts of their health concerns in the county through numerous public engagement tools, including community health surveys, participation in focus groups, and attendance of community meetings.
This information was coupled with secondary health and population data from local, state, and national sources to identify the County’s leading health concerns.
What the CHA Report Reveals
DCHD identified key health assets, needs, and disparities in Delaware County through comprehensive data collection, research, and analysis from residents. The community health priority areas selected through this process include:
- Promotion of Whole Person Care, and Prevention of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
- Promotion of Maternal, Parental and Infant Health
- Prevention of Chronic Diseases
Public Comment Open Through Friday, April 19
Now, DCHD is asking residents to again provide input regarding the health of our community. We encourage all residents to review the CHA report and provide feedback. Public comment on DCHD’s first Community Health Assessment is open through Friday, April 19.
To provide feedback, visit the DCHD website at DelcoPA.Gov/CHA or contact the Delaware County Wellness Line at (484) 276-2100 or emailing DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.
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Delaware County Recognizes Black Maternal Health Week | |
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Delaware County Council and the Delaware County Health Department were proud to partner with The Foundation for Delaware County to celebrate Black Maternal Health Week, a week-long campaign, held annually from April 11-17, founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to build awareness, activism, and community-building to amplify the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people.
Black and Brown women are three times more likely to die during childbirth compared to White women. Research also shows that Black women are at significantly higher risk for severe maternal morbidity and also have higher rates of admission to the intensive care unit during delivery compared to White women.
There are clear racial disparities in maternal and infant health and it’s critical that we work to raise awareness and create change.
“Addressing the stark disparities in maternal health is not just a professional obligation, it's a personal commitment for me as a woman of color and a mother,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “Ensuring that every mother in Delaware County has access to safe, equitable healthcare is fundamental to our community's wellbeing.”
During Black Maternal Health Week, the Foundation for Delaware County hosted “A Delco Call to Action” on Thursday, April 11 at Widener University. Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor joined a distinguished panel of health stakeholders, including Joanne Craig, Chief Impact Officer, The Foundation for Delaware County, State Rep. Gina H. Curry, Co-founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, Lonnese Bodison, Senior Director of Programs with the Maternity Care Coalition, Melissa Patti, Director Maternal & Infant Health Initiative at the March of Dimes, and Robert Speer, DCHD's Community Health Planner to discuss strategies and collaborative efforts aimed at improving maternal health outcomes.
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“I was honored to moderate this important discussion in celebration of Black Maternal Health Week,” said The Foundation for Delaware County’s Ms. Craig. “We know that Black babies die at 3.6 times the rate of white infants in Delaware County, and we see pregnant people choosing not to go to the doctor because of lack of access to providers, lack of insurance, transportation, comfort level with care, and cost. We must do more and better for our mothers, and our babies.”
During the discussion, DCHD addressed the impacts of the loss of hospitals and lack of medical providers, infant mortality rates, and the need for increased access to birthing education, programs, and resources.
"We are thrilled to be part of such a vital initiative aimed at addressing the critical issues surrounding Black maternal health," said Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon. "A Delco Call to Action serves as an important platform for collaboration, advocacy, and awareness, and we look forward to seeing everyone there."
For those interested in further engagement throughout Black Maternal Health Week, additional events hosted by the Foundation for Delaware County and the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus will take place both in Delaware County, Harrisburg and online.
Local and online events can be found at https://delcofoundation.org/event/black-maternal-health-week.
Registration for Harrisburg events can be completed at https://form.jotform.com/240533723183149.
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Delaware County Elections Issues Guidance for Mail/Absentee Ballots ahead of April 23, 2024 Primary Election | Mail/absentee ballots must be requested by April 16 at 5:00 p.m. | |
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Delaware County Elections reminds voters that completed mail/absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 to be eligible to be counted. Voters can return their ballot by mail or to any of the more than three dozen ballot drop boxes, or in person at the Delaware County Voter Service Center in Media.
However, Delaware County voters who expect to return their mail/absentee ballot during the last week before Election Day—between April 17 and the April 23—are strongly encouraged to avoid using USPS and instead return their ballot using a ballot drop box or the Voter Service Center to ensure the County receives their ballot by the 8:00 p.m. deadline. Postmarks will not be considered; ballots must be received by the deadline or will be ineligible.
Ballot Drop Boxes are Open
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Delaware County offers more than three dozen ballot drop boxes in municipalities across the county. Most drop box sites are open 24/7. The list of sites and hours is available at DelcoPA.Gov/DropBox.
As a reminder, voters must only return their own ballot. The only exception is to assist a disabled voter or an emergency absentee voter, which requires a declaration form (available on the Delco Votes! website) signed by the voter and by the person returning the ballot.
The ballots must be placed in the yellow secrecy envelope, and then place that sealed yellow secrecy envelope into the return envelope, which must be (1) signed by the voter, (2) dated by the voter with today’s date, and (3) sealed before being returned through the mail or at a county drop box. Mail/absentee ballots must be received by the county elections office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, April 23.
Status of Returned Mail/Absentee Ballots
Voters may verify the status of mail/absentee ballots they have already returned at the PA Department of State website at Vote.PA.Gov/MailBallotStatus.
Call or visit Voter Service Center if ballot not yet received
Voters who requested a mail/absentee ballot on or before April 5 should have received their ballot by April 11. If not, call our hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683) or visit the Voter Service Center in Media: Mon., Tue., Thur., Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. / Wed., 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. / Sat., 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon. Voters who visit the Voter Service Center may apply for, receive, vote and return their ballot during the same visit.
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April 16 Deadline to Apply
April 16 is the deadline to apply for a mail/absentee ballot for the upcoming Primary. Applications must include valid ID. To apply for a mail/absentee ballot, registered Delaware County voters may visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website at Vote.PA.Gov/MailBallot and click the “Apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot” button. Voters in Delaware County can also apply in-person at the Voter Service Center.
In Observation of Passover
Pennsylvania’s Primary Election coincides with the first full day of Passover. Registered Delaware County voters who wish to observe Passover and still participate in the April 23, 2024 Primary Election may apply for a mail/absentee ballot at Vote.PA.Gov/MailBallot.
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Announcing Delaware County’s Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Celebration! | |
The County of Delaware, Upper Darby Township, Visit Delco, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Philadelphia, and the Delaware County Office of Workforce Development are partnering to host an Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Celebration on May 10 from 3pm-6pm in Upper Darby.
The free, family-friendly celebration includes a variety of exciting and inspiring performances including Korean Drummers, Giddha- Punjab folk dance, and Zoe Erianna from America’s Got Talent. The celebration will be held in the Upper Darby Municipal Parking Lot located at 100 Garrett Road in Upper Darby.
Residents are also invited to explore an online map to discover local restaurants offering delicious food inspired by Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander heritage and culture.
Observed annually each May, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a time to reflect upon and celebrate the remarkable role of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in our nation’s history. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders make our nation more vibrant through diversity of cultures, languages, and religions.
The first celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month traces back to 1978 and is observed annually in May to commemorate the first Japanese who came to the United States in May of 1843.
This year, Delaware County is excited to be hosting an Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Celebration and we encourage the entire community to join in celebrating!
Learn more about the celebration at www.aapidelco.com.
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Four Weeks Until Delco Gives Day! | |
The deadline for non-profits to register to participate is April 17 | |
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Delaware County Council reminds residents that the inaugural Delco Gives Day — a 24-hour day of giving and county-wide celebration of generosity, unity, and shared purpose hosted by The Foundation for Delaware County — will be held May 8 through May 9, 2024 (7:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.), providing Delaware County residents a unique opportunity to support local nonprofits that tirelessly serve our community and make a difference in the lives of the people in our county.
To-date, more than 250 nonprofits have signed up! Participating organizations include those focused on education, healthcare, the arts, social services, the environment, seniors, and more. A complete list of nonprofits (with more being added every day!) can be found on the Delco Gives Day website at DelcoGives.org.
Residents are invited to visit Delco Gives website to check out each participating nonprofit’s profile page and learn more about their mission and activities.
Every donation made on Delco Gives Day qualifies for bonus funding provided by The Foundation and Delco Gives sponsors, maximizing the impact of each contribution. Additional cash prizes will also be given out throughout the 24-hour giving period.
The website opens for donations on May 8 at 7:00 p.m. Donations can be made online from a computer, smartphone, or any web-enabled device. All transactions will be secure and private.
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Nonprofits Can Still Register!
The nonprofit registration window will remain open through Wednesday, April 17!
Details about how to register can be found on DelcoGives.org (just check out the Nonprofit toolkit and registration link from the website menu). Interested nonprofits can also contact The Foundation for Delaware County team by phone at (610) 744-1010 or email at delcogives@delcofoundation.org.
Delco Gives Day Kickoff & Closing Celebrations
Delco Gives Day officially kicks off on May 8 at Dining Under the Stars, in Media, PA, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., with performances, live bands, and an appearance from Cecily Tynan of 6ABC. Chester will also help kick off Delco Gives Day with a Block Party at Chester City Hall, featuring live DJs and musical performances from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Residents are also invited to a closing celebration at Rose Tree Park, featuring live broadcast from iHeart Radio DJs Bex and Buster, and Jason Martinez from FOX29. We hope to see you there!
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Delaware County Celebrates National Library Week with Read at Rose Tree | |
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Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor was excited to join newly-appointed Delaware County Libraries Director Anny Laepple, the Delaware County Libraries team, and residents from across the county for the inaugural Read at Rose Tree event on April 10 in celebration of National Library Week.
Nearly 100 residents gathered at the Rose Tree Park amphitheater in Media to enjoy the beautiful spring weather, relax, and enjoy a good book. A raffle was held to give out gift baskets, and library card signups and a pop-up library with materials for checkout were made available by the library team.
“We’re grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate National Library Week with us by gathering to read,” said Laepple. “It was inspiring to see so many families sharing stories, friends talking about their love of books, and others simply reading silently, together.”
Read at Rose Tree is just one of several events being held by Delaware County Libraries this week to help celebrate National Library Week, including a photo contest (ongoing through Saturday, April 13 at www.delcolibraries.org/Photo-Contest), a new StoryWalk featuring “The Earth Book” by Todd Parr, solar eclipse glasses giveaways, and many other fun activities being held at the 26 independent member libraries. Residents are invited to visit their local library to check out what is going on this week and beyond.
“It's wonderful to see such enthusiastic participation from our community members,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, who attended with her husband and three daughters. “Libraries are the heart of our community, and events like Read at Rose Tree highlight the vibrant role Libraries play in our lives.”
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National Library Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable role libraries and library workers play in transforming lives through education, support, and community engagement. The Read at Rose Tree event embodied this spirit, spotlighting not only the vast resources and services offered by the Delaware County Libraries but also their unwavering commitment to fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Through initiatives like Read at Rose Tree, Delaware County reaffirms its dedication to nurturing spaces where learning, reflection, and community ties flourish.
Delaware County Council and Delaware County Libraries extend their heartfelt thanks to all who joined in this celebration and look forward to fostering more such gatherings that highlight the beauty of reading and the strength of our community.
For information about the wide range of library services available to all county residents, visit www.delcolibraries.org.
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Thank you to new Delaware County Libraries Director Anny Laepple, Chief of Social Services and Community Programs Sandy Garrison, and the entire Delaware County Libraries team! | |
Delaware County Council Celebrates 'Week of the Young Child' with Visit to Rose Tree Early Learning Center | |
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Delaware County Council Member Christine Reuther was excited to visit the young students at the Rose Tree Early Learning Center in Media on April 11 as part of ‘The Week of the Young Child,’ an annual celebration created to bring public attention on the needs of young children and their families, to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs, and the critical role early childhood educators play in a child’s development and learning.
With its nearly 60,000 members and a network of 51 Affiliates, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) sponsors ‘The Week of the Young Child’ each year with an understanding that early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the critical foundation for children's success in school and later life.
Across the country, schools, pre-schools, and educational centers host book readings, music workshops, dance performances, interactive story times, and other fun events to highlight the importance of learning.
During her visit to the school, Council Member Reuther read "The Rainforest Grew All Around" to the students in Ms. Debby and Miss Kayla’s Pre-K class, who had transformed their classroom into a mini rainforest, with greenery and crafted materials made to mimic the dense, vibrant world of the rainforest.
The story, written by Susan K. Mitchell, explores this lush environment through cumulative, engaging verse and vivid illustrations. The book educates children on the diverse ecosystem and the interconnectedness of plants, animals, and insects living in the rainforest, fostering an early appreciation and curiosity for environmental science and conservation—a great example of how reading and learning can stimulate imagination and inspire a deeper connection with the natural world.
For more information about the National Association for the Education of Young Children, visit their website at www.naeyc.org.
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Thank you to Executive Director Andrea Sampson, Educational Coordinator Marianne Conway, and the staff and students of Rose Tree Early Learning Center! | |
Delaware County Health Department Advises Residents About the Spread of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) | |
The Delaware County Health Department reminds residents that cases of Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is rising again in our area. It is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be serious, especially for infants and young children.
Symptoms can begin like the common cold with the development of a high-pitched “whoop” sound when inhaling at the end of a coughing fit.
Pertussis cases increase every 4-6 years, and the current increase is following that trend here in Delaware County and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Although cases are currently being seen primarily among high school students, the potential for exposure to vulnerable populations exists.
The CDC recommends active screening (testing) for potential cases in schools, childcare centers, and hospitals in order to reduce exposure to people with whooping cough. DCHD encourages timely medical evaluation and treatment of people with whooping cough and the use of antibiotics for high-risk close contacts.
In addition to these measures, the DCHD strongly advises residents to ensure their vaccinations are up to date to help prevent the spread of pertussis. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against this infection, particularly for young children, pregnant women, and those who have close contact with infants. The pertussis vaccine, part of the DTaP immunization for children and the Tdap booster for adolescents and adults, is available at local health providers and pharmacies.
If you are uninsured or underinsured, please reach out to the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line at (484) 276-2100 or by email (DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us) to determine your eligibility and schedule an appointment for a free vaccine.
We urge everyone, especially parents and caregivers, to verify their family's vaccination records and consider vaccination if not already protected!
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Registration Reminder: Earth Day Tree Planting and Park Clean Up in Chester | |
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The Delaware County Office of Sustainability, in partnership with Delaware County Council, the City of Chester, the Chester Shade Tree Commission, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, will be hosting a Tree Planting and Park Clean Up at William Penn and Ethel Waters Parks in Chester (2nd Street and Penn Street, Chester, PA 19013) on Saturday, April 20, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
This event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities to learn how to plant trees and participate in beautifying the historic landing site of William Penn. Gloves and planting materials will be provided.
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Other County and Community Earth Day Events
In addition to the County-sponsored events, The Delco Office of Sustainability and the Delco Sustainability Board have compiled a list of Earth Day events and activities that will be celebrated throughout Delaware County in the coming weeks.
Go to DelcoPA.Gov/EarthDay/Communities for event details.
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