DHSS invites public to Town Hall meetings to provide feedback on upcoming changes

DELAWARE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is holding in-person town hall events starting this week.

“Over the last year or so, since 2022, the Department has really engaged in what we call our safe services center reimagination project,” says Daniel Walker, Deputy Secretary for Social Service and Immigration Leader for the Department of Health and Social Service. “It’s an initiative of the Governor’s Family Cabinet Council, which is meant to streamline services to better assist and help those who are service users.”

DSHH has planned four town hall events in the month of July to highlight steps they are taking to transform how they service Delawareans.

Walker says, “It’s not lost on us that people are not coming into our building on their best day, they’re often coming in on their worst day, when all they need is not a hand out, but a hand up.”

Officials want to offer a uniform experience, no matter which service center you visit in the state. They say they realize there has been a gap in keeping everything updated at service centers.

“When you engage community it takes time, because you have to be intentional. But we were extremely intentional and we think we’re at a place now where we can share what we have learned, what we’re going to do and invite you to join us,” says Walker.

DHSS wants residents and their families to come out, listen and weigh-in on their plans for the future.

“Walker explains, “It really is to share our plan our vision after this year-long listening tour and also get a gut check, a reality check on ‘are we going in the right direction?'”

The Town Hall events will take place on the following dates:

July 13, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover
July 15, 2023,1:30 p.m., Route 9 Library & Innovation Center, 3022 New Castle Ave., New Castle
July 18, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Georgetown Public Library, 123 West Pine St., Georgetown
July 26, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Wilmington Public Library, 10 E. 10th St., Wilmington

The public is encouraged to register online for the town halls so that officials can make any accommodations necessary. Spanish translation and ASL interpreter services will also be available at each event. Each town hall will also include a resource fair in which representatives from DHSS will be on hand to assist individuals who have questions related to their benefits or who are seeking assistance. You can register for a town hall here.