2019 Delaware Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award Recipients
Mary Baker and Kathleen Truitt, Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
Mary, a Family Crisis Therapist, and Kathleen, a Family Crisis Therapist Supervisor, handle a caseload specifically working with Substance Exposed Infants and their families. This year, they took the initiative to do outreach with pregnant women who have substance abuse issues. They went to substance abuse/MAT facilities to talk with pregnant women because they wanted mothers to be educated on what to expect from the Division of Family Services when their substance-exposed infants are born. This resulted in enhancements to the Plan of Safe Care, a statewide effort.
Carole Mick, Department of State
Carole is an Administrative Specialist with Veteran’s Affairs, and she led the Bear Veterans' Memorial Cemetery team during the Director’s medical absence. She coordinated the cemetery's Memorial Day service, synchronizing work with employees, volunteers, guests and distinguished visitors. She coordinated with funeral directors and grieving families to schedule the accompanying final services at the cemetery chapel honoring veterans’ service to our nation. In all, Carole directed 222 veteran and family interments ensuring impeccable transitions to final resting places.
James Henry, Office of Management and Budget
James is a Master Electrician with the Division of Facilities Management. Among his many accomplishments, James independently upgraded over 200 parking lot lights to LED fixtures at the DelDOT Danner Campus, as well as the exterior lighting at the Kent County Courthouse and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) in Smyrna. His efforts resulted in an immediate savings of approximately $250,000.00 by performing the work himself instead hiring a contractor.
Thomas Gilbert, Department of Transportation
Thomas is an Equipment Operator with the Division of Maintenance and Operations. Recently he was on a scheduled day off when he witnessed two car accidents on the same day. At both scenes, Tom provided assistance to the drivers as well as to the responders. He checked on the injured passengers, set out traffic flares, provided traffic control assistance and stayed on the scene until the emergency services and State Police arrived.
Christopher Miller, Agriculture
Christopher is a Forester with the Department of Agriculture. Among other accomplishments, he recently replaced and adjusted a large culvert at Taber State Forest to raise the natural water table to its historical level, creating wetlands as habitat enhancement for a number of wildlife species. Christopher also helped develop the standards for the new Delaware Department of Agriculture/Delaware Forest Service turkey permits and lottery system created so that the department can better connect with users and manage resources better.