2025 GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award Recipients
The Systems Integration with Meal Providers Team
Dortris Downs, Allison Hendrickson, and Amy Maguire - Department of Health and Social Services
Through strong public-private collaboration, this team from the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities developed a process to integrate meal provider data systems with the Division’s case management system. This work has improved data accuracy, strengthened federal reporting, and ensured participants receive timely, appropriate services. It has also uncovered billing inaccuracies, creating potential annual savings of over $50,000. Their efforts demonstrate a practical, results-driven approach that improves both service delivery and fiscal responsibility.
The Juvenile Civil Citation Team
Joanna Campbell, Ginny Franklin, Marie McLaughlin, Georgia Vaughn, and Emily White - Department of Service for Children, Youth, and Their Families
This team from the Division of Youth Rehabilitation Services improved the division’s Juvenile Civil Citation program by streamlining processes, enhancing training for law enforcement, and improving data collection. Their reforms reduced the average referral-to-case-manager time from 25 days to 3 days and eliminated contracted roles, saving $68,510 annually. These changes helped lower recidivism for program participants to 18.1%, compared to 47.1% for eligible youth who did not participate. The team implemented a new FOCUS case type, strengthened stakeholder relationships, and ensured consistent program oversight and reporting. Their data-driven approach and commitment to continuous improvement have made a meaningful impact on outcomes for Delaware’s youth and the broader justice system.
The Smart Simple Implementation Team
Christine Beste and Thomas Schultz - Department of Safety and Homeland Security
The Smart Simple Implementation Team transformed operations at DEMA by digitizing nine grant workflows and one administrative program into a streamlined, cloud-based system. The new system integrated fiscal and program data, reducing processing times from weeks to days and improving transparency, accountability, and compliance. Christine and Tom standardized workflows through visual process mapping, detailed test plans, and user guides, ensuring staff and external partners could easily navigate the system. The project managed $18.9 million in grants for 2025 and allowed stakeholders to track tasks in real time while preserving historical records. Overall, their work increased efficiency, enhanced stakeholder satisfaction, and strengthened DEMA’s capacity to focus on disaster preparedness and response.
Taylor Shannon - Department of Safety and Homeland Security
As a Management Analyst II at the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner, Taylor Shannon created the Social Equity Financial Assistance (SEFA) Grant Program to close a critical gap in Delaware’s cannabis market by delivering capital to social equity licensees. Interpreting the mandate of the Delaware Marijuana Control Act, she designed a milestone-based funding model that balances urgent startup needs with rigorous fiscal accountability. Partnering with the Department of Technology and Information, they built an automated Salesforce system that streamlined application review, milestone tracking, and grant disbursement. Since its September 2025 launch, SEFA has awarded $495,000 in grants and established a scalable framework to distribute $6 million to 47 licensees from historically impacted communities. Through strategic leadership, technical innovation, and cross-agency collaboration, Taylor transformed a statutory promise of equity into a sustainable and transparent funding mechanism.