Initiatives
First, Lt. Governor John Carney challenged Delawareans to get fit. Now, he's asking state employees to set a great example by doing something else that can add up to a healthier life: Know Your Numbers!
Screening tests for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose can lead to early detection of major illnesses like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. If found early, high blood pressure, elevated LDL cholesterol and high blood glucose levels are all very treatable and can be controlled. Screenings are easy and they take only a few minutes.
Better health is the best reward, but, when employees know their numbers, they can also go online at www.IknowMyNumbers.com and sign up for another reward - a T-shirt featuring the colorful Know Your Numbers characters and logo!
Models of Excellence in Education
The Models of Excellence in Education project was developed by Lt. Governor John C. Carney, Jr. to serve two purposes.
With a decade’s worth of education reforms holding real consequences for the first time in the 2001-02 school year, it was clear that much of the initial focus on the results of the Delaware State Testing Program would center on those schools and students that did not meet or exceed standards. The Lt. Governor wanted to find a way to celebrate the schools and programs that successfully raised student achievement – a major goal of education reform in Delaware.
In addition to identifying those schools, the Lt. Governor wanted to learn from their success in improving student achievement and to identify a forum for them to share their models and practices with other schools, teachers and parents.
To learn more about this project, please visit the Model of Excellence in Education website.
Internet Access Locater Project
The University of Delaware maintains an online atlas of community access points, where Delaware citizens without Internet access can locate a computer (e.g., libraries, community centers, etc.). This pilot project was focused on developing a system to "voice-enable" the atlas already being maintained by the University. This will dramatically improve access to this valuable information. This project is now complete, and a production version of this new "Internet Access Locater System" can be accessed by calling (866) 276-2353.
This project not only enabled the State to test the concept of voice enabling locational information (i.e., the location of
certain facilities across the State), it has allowed for the development an infrastructure that can house multiple VoiceXML
applications. This will allow the State to support other efforts to voice enable similar information. For example, the
infrastructure now in place could support voice applications to provide information on the location of unemployment offices,
state service centers or even polling places.
To learn more about this project, or to submit information on a public access site visit the Department of Technology and Information website.
During my campaign for Lt. Governor, I said I wanted to find some common ground between people on either side of the gun issue. Working with the National Conference of Lt. Governors and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, I was able to do that.
Project ChildSafe is a firearms safety program that has a goal of getting people to
lock up their firearms at home. Funded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and a grant from the United State Department of
Justice, Project ChildSafe hopes to distribute 3 million gun locks across the country, including 25,000 in Delaware. These locks can
be used on 90 percent of the firearms on the market and are being handed out free of charge.
We kicked off our six-day, 10-stop tour with announcements in Wilmington and Dover on Oct. 23, 2001. Surrounded by members of the law enforcement community and students from Warner Elementary School in Wilmington and Fairview Elementary School in Dover, I began the effort with endorsements from the Million Moms March, the National Rifle Association and the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council.
We spent the next six days offering free locks at stops in Dover, Milford, Georgetown, Rehoboth, Seaford, Bear, Middletown, Wilmington, Brandywine Hundred and Claymont. We distributed more than 8,000 cable locks at those stops, including more than 1,000 in two places. In doing so, I believe many children in Delaware become safer.
The program was so successful, my office is planning another tour for sometime during the spring of 2002. We also have made locks available to many of the local police departments across the state as well as to the State Park Rangers and The Delaware State Police.
Police departments and others interested in obtaining locks should call my office or go to the contact page on my Web site and send us a message.
One of my main goals while in office is to motivate Delawareans to become more active and to make the "First State the Fit State".
As such, I have teamed up with The American Cancer Society, Christiana Care Health Systems, Division of Public Health, University of Delaware, YMCA and the DE State Chamber of Commerce to develop and promote this free program. The goal is to get Delawareans started toward a more active lifestyle. So far, over 42,000 people have taken The Challenge in the past six years, including about 26,000 children.
There is no need to invest in expensive exercise equipment or join a gym. The program offers a framework for Delawareans to become more physically active, and a variety of activities that will earn you points towards a Lt. Governors Challenge achievement medal.
For more information about the program visit http://www.getupanddosomething.org/index.html.
Wilmington's Hope Basketball League
For several years the void left by Stormin's Classic has been felt by the youth in Wilmington. Clearly there is a need to recreate some portion of this program that provided recreation and so much more than basketball for young people throughout our city. It is in that spirit that a group of concerned Wilmingtonian's and myself have taken a first step at trying to fill this void through the creation of the Wilmington's Hope Youth Basketball League which will target boys between the ages of twelve and fourteen.
This League is aimed at teaching more than just basketball however. Ideas such as teamwork, leadership, and responsibility are some of the main principles that will drive the success of the League. During the season several prominent figures from the region will be invited to offer words of encouragement and provide instruction to the League participants. Several clinics will also be offered to League participants to further their development on and off the basketball court.
Twelve teams representing communities from Wilmington and across New Castle County will be chosen to compete in a six-week season, concluding with a playoff tournament. With the help of The Wilmington Department of Parks and Recreation we look forward to creating a lasting summer tradition.
Basketball is in this case the vehicle to accomplishing a bigger goal and it is our hope to expand the size and mission of the league over time.
The Criminal Justice Council is an independent body that promotes collaboration and creativity between the components of the Delaware criminal justice system and the community. Recently, the Council successfully secured funding for programs that combat drugs and violent crimes, promote local law enforcement, and provide help to victims of domestic violence. In 2006, the Criminal Justice Council began a partnership with the City of Wilmington to help support the newly formed Wilmington Hope Commission.
For more information about the Criminal Justice Council visit http://www.state.de.us/cjc/default.shtml.
Delaware Science & Technology Council
Formed in June 2006, the Delaware Science & Technology Council works to develop a state economic development plan encompassing the key fields of agriculture, human health, clean energy, information technology, and the environment. Under Lt. Governor Carney's leadership, the Council is focused on creating growth opportunities within the state that promise to enhance Delaware's economy well into the 21st century.
For more information about the Delaware Science & Technology Council visit http://www.epscor.dbi.udel.edu/outreach/economics/index.php.
