2025 Governor's Team Excellence Award Recipients

GEAR P3 Innovation and Efficiency Award Recipients

This award recognizes teams that serve as role models in their application of continuous improvement techniques and achievement of outstanding results.

Continuous Quality Improvement Post-Permanency Success Committee
Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families

After identifying that 5–6.25% of youth entering foster care in Delaware had previously been adopted—many of whom were placed in costly residential facilities—the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families established this committee to address their concerns about adoption disruptions. The committee analyzed data, conducted surveys and interviews, and developed strategies to better support adoptive families. Their efforts included launching awareness campaigns, expanding training opportunities, strengthening court and community partnerships, and improving access to post-permanency services.

These initiatives led to measurable improvements. Awareness of available supports among adoptive parents increased from 47% in 2020 to 73–74% in 2025. During the same period, foster care re-entries declined significantly, from 45 children in late 2019 to 17 in early 2025. Now in Phase 2, the project is expanding to support kinship and guardianship families, with the goal of further reducing disruptions and improving long-term permanency outcomes.

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The Delaware Treatment and Referral Network Care Coordination Platform (DTRN360) Team
Department of Health and Social Services

DTRN360 is the nation’s first behavioral health care coordination platform, transforming care by connecting behavioral and physical health systems in one unified, real-time dashboard. By breaking down information silos, the team integrated data across hospitalizations, crisis calls, justice involvement, social services, and the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program—giving providers a complete view of each individual’s needs. Developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, the platform allows providers to track referrals, monitor outcomes, and coordinate care more effectively.

Early results show faster response times, improved follow-up after crises, and more efficient use of resources. By creating a scalable, sustainable, and data-driven solution that improves outcomes for vulnerable populations, the DTRN360 team has set a new national standard and is recognized as a model for behavioral health system modernization.

Champions Award Recipients

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a superior use of continuous quality improvement tools to achieve exceptional results in process efficiency, customer service, and cost savings.

The Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Team
Department of Transportation

The AFV Project Team played a critical — though often behind-the-scenes — role in successfully implementing House Bill 164, which restructured Delaware’s transportation revenue system. While the legislation is best known for introducing the Alternative Fuel Vehicle fee, the team ensured essential updates within Driver Services, including changes to licensing fees, system functionality, workflows, staff training, and customer communications. Working closely with DelDOT, DTI, Vehicle Services, and vendors, they navigated a complex, high-impact transition with precision and strong coordination. Their efforts ensured consistent implementation across DMV services, accurate fee collection, and a smooth customer experience, ultimately helping maintain public trust during a significant statewide change.

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Avian Influenza Response Team
Department of Agriculture

When Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in Delaware in January 2025, the response team quickly mobilized a coordinated, multi-state effort alongside Maryland, Virginia, the US Department of Agriculture, the University of Delaware, and industry partners to contain and manage the outbreak. Their work included quarantining affected farms, conducting surveillance and testing, and overseeing the safe movement of flocks to maintain industry continuity. The outbreak was successfully limited to nine farms, with no lateral spread, and all impacted operations returned to normal production within four months. Building on lessons learned from a 2022 incident, the team’s prior planning, training, and process improvements led to a more efficient response, including a 33% reduction in overtime hours. Their efforts ensured the continued safety and stability of Delaware’s poultry industry and earned them the Department’s Service to Agriculture award.

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Blackbird Creek Bridge Replacement Team
Department of Transportation

The replacement of the North and South bridges over Blackbird Creek on US 13 was a critical project addressing two aging and deficient structures that serve over 13,500 vehicles in each direction daily. Using innovative Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques, the team designed and delivered a solution that minimized disruption on this major roadway, avoiding significant economic impact to the state. The project incorporated new materials and methods for the Department, including foamed glass aggregate to raise the roadway, ultra-high performance concrete connections, and fully precast structural elements. Through strong coordination, extended work schedules, and responsive field support, the team completed construction ahead of schedule—reopening one bridge in 43 days and the other in just 37 days—while improving safety, efficiency, and long-term performance.