The Delaware County Workforce Development Board has been awarded a $1.5M Pathway Home Program grant to provide training and employment services to adults reentering the workforce following incarceration at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.

Pathway Home Program grants, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, are provided to improve employment opportunities and reduce recidivism, helping residents become productive members of the community and labor force. The Delaware County Workforce Development Board is one of only 18 organizations nationally to be awarded a grant this year.

“County Council is thrilled to learn that this grant money will be coming to Delaware County,” said Councilman Kevin Madden. “Reducing the barriers to employment and providing fresh opportunities to these residents is critical to reducing recidivism, and the targeted pre-release and post-release services that will be provided as a result of this grant will make a real difference here in Delaware County.” 

Pre-release services include needs assessment, individual development plans, comprehensive case management, career exploration and planning, job preparation, counseling, and assistance with linking inmates to the social services required to help them transition back to the community.

Post-release activities include linking participants to employers (including apprenticeship opportunities), external service providers, and skill-building services, and providing access to occupational training for in-demand jobs, pathways to earn industry-recognized credentials, and follow up career support and services.

Laura K. Williams, named the new warden of the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in February, welcomed the grant award. “The timing of this grant is exciting for the institution as we continue to enhance existing programs and introduce additional opportunities to break the cycle of criminogenic behavior,” explained Warden Williams. “The Pathway Home Program grant will allow us to significantly improve support of our population and the community towards this goal.”

The grant money—which funds the program from 2022 through 2025—will also be used to improve coordination between key partners in the reentry process, including community and state corrections agencies, local health and human service providers, employers, unions, and PA CareerLink® Delaware County. 

The Pathway Home Program in Delaware County is funded by the US Department of Labor. 100% of the $1,499,999 grant allocation is Federally funded.

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) will begin offering free screenings, testing, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on Monday, July 11, at the Delaware County Wellness Center in Yeadon, located at 125 Chester Avenue.

In 2021, the Pennsylvania Health Advisory Network (HAN) issued an advisory regarding an increase in reported syphilis cases in Delaware County. This followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2020 STD Surveillance Report which indicated rates of sexually transmitted infections, while lower in the early months of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, had resurged by the end of that year. The CDC also suggested that declines in reported STIs during the same time, as was the case with chlamydia, were likely due to decreased STI screenings and underdiagnosis during the height of the pandemic, rather than a reduction in new infections.

As a function of its duties to the residents of Delaware County, the Delaware County Health Department will expand its STI clinical operations to the Yeadon location.

Currently, screenings, testing, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections are available at the Delaware County Wellness Center, located at 151 W. 5th St. in Chester. Walk-ins are welcome and appointments are available during Sexual Health Clinic hours on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“From 2020 until now, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life as we know it and STI program resources were not exempt,” said Delaware County Health Department Director, Melissa Lyon. “We are excited in our role as a Health Department to offer Delaware County residents these important screening, testing, and treatment services in support of the long-term health and safety of our communities.”

Beginning Monday, July 11, and every other Monday (except National Holidays) at the Delaware County Wellness Center at Yeadon, STI screenings, tests, and treatment, will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Delaware County Wellness Line by phone at (484) 276-2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.

The County of Delaware Services for the Aging (COSA) is sponsoring the acclaimed Chronic Pain Self-Management Program developed at Stanford University. This program is for those 60 and older who live with chronic pain.

The program will meet online once a week for six weeks on Wednesdays, from July 13 through August 17, 2022, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon.

1 in 5 people live with chronic pain. Chronic pain can impact all aspects of a person’s life - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Chronic Pain Self-Management is the idea that individuals are in control over how they deal with their pain. Individuals are the experts with regards to their own bodies and therefore, play the biggest role in managing their pain.

The Chronic Pain Self-Management Program provides participants the self-care tools and life skills that support them in reaching their personal goals to manage their chronic pain. Topics include dealing with frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep; learning exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance; using medications effectively; communication; nutrition; and evaluation of new treatments.

This evidence-based program is FREE through support from COSA and the PA Department of Aging. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, contact Ellen Williams, Health and Wellness Program Manager, at williamse@co.delaware.pa.us, or call (610) 499-1937.  

Have you heard of Visit Delco PA’s Summer Trail Pass?

It’s a mobile-exclusive pass that incentivizes Delco residents and visitors alike with a chance to win a $25 gift card after exploring some of our County’s favorite places and outdoor spaces.

To get the pass, visit the Visit Delco, PA website and follow the links to the “Get Your Pass” button (or click the "Get Your Pass" button included below, provide your name and phone number, and a few seconds later you'll receive a text that will get you started on the trail.

Whenever you visit a participating location, just check in. The Winter Trail pass will provide discounts to many of the participating locations – you’ll just present the phone to your attendant or staff member to receive the discount. It’s that simple. 

Check in at 5 participating locations for a chance to win a $25 gift card to a local Delco business. 

Locations featured on the Summer Trail include:

2SP Brewing Company, the Brandywine River Museum of Art, Colonial PA Plantation, the Colonial Playhouse, the Community Arts Center, the Delaware County Veterans Memorial, Linvilla Orchards, Media’s State Street District, Penns Woods Winery, the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum, the Philadelphia Union, Players Club Of Swarthmore, Sterling Pig Brewery, the Media Theatre, Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden, Tyler Arboretum, and many more.

Delaware County’s newest and largest County park will be located on the former Don Guanella site in Marple Township. The 213-acre park will be focused on the woodlands that now serve as one of the county’s largest forests. 

Public input is a cornerstone of the project and will guide key elements of the plan. Delaware County is seeking fifteen community leaders to join the new Master Plan Advisory Committee for the former Don Guanella property. The master plan, to be completed in the Spring of 2023, will be the guiding document that identifies long-term conservation, woodland protection, infrastructure, and recreation improvements for the future county park.

The new committee is part of a public planning process that began earlier this year in order to engage the public in the planning process for the conservation and public use of the 213-acre property. 

The committee will meet an estimated six to eight times with the consulting team and key stakeholders from Delaware County through March 2023. Members will provide information, ideas, and perspectives to help develop a plan for the new park. 

Click below for more information on the Advisory Committee or to apply to serve as a member of the Advisory Committee. The deadline for submitting an applications is Friday, July 22.

Delaware County is hosting a one-day job fair on Saturday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Upper Darby Municipal Building, located at 100 Garrett Road in Upper Darby. The County has a large number of open positions and is actively hiring staff for multiple departments and agencies, including the 911 Center, Central Purchasing, County Courthouse, Fair Acres, George W. Hill Correctional Facility, the Health Department, Human Services, IT/Information Technology, Juvenile Justice Services, Medical Examiner’s Office, Park Police, the Planning Department, Public Works, and the Sheriff’s Department.

Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the Recruitment Team to discuss open positions to gain a better understanding of the job duties and the benefits offered, and have the team review their resume and skill set to determine if they are a candidate for that position (or a different position that might be a better match).

Interested applicants are advised to bring copies of their resume and will have the opportunity to apply in person during the fair. On-site interviews may be held for qualified attendees.

Full-time positions include: Accountant, Administrator (Population Health), Administrator (Office of the Medical Examiner), Administrative Assistant (Human Resources), Assistant Director of Compensation, Assistant Public Defender, Audit Manager, Benefits Coordinator, Capital Project Manager, Caseworker 2 (Office of Mental Health), Clerical (multiple departments), Clerk Typist 2, Compensation Analyst, Conservation Technician, County Nurse, Correctional Officer ($2,000 sign-on bonus), Court Information Officer, Database Administrator, Deputy Sheriff, Deputy Warden of Security, Direct Observation Therapy Specialist, Director of Planning, Domestic Relations Officer, Environmental Planner, Senior, Environmental Planner, GIS Specialist, Disease Investigation Specialist (Health Department), Information Center Representative, Infrastructure Manager, IT Helpdesk Analyst, IT Security Analyst, Juvenile Probation Officer, Lead Emergency Planner, Maintenance, Maintenance Clerk, Maintenance Technician, Master Mechanic, OST Planner, Park Police Officer, Purchasing Assistant, Pre-Trial Bail and Diagnostics Service Director, Property Portfolio Manager, Senior GIS Specialist, Senior Talent Management Recruiter, Senior Transportation Planner, Substance Abuse Counselor, and numerous nursing positions (RN, LPN, CNA, Nursing Supervisor, and Unit Manager) and other support staff openings at Fair Acres.

Part-time positions include: Autopsy Technician (weekends only) and Court Officer.

Positions offer competitive employee benefits as well as opportunities for advancement. Interested individuals can also review open positions and apply online by clicking the button below.

The Delaware County Department of Parks & Recreation annual Rose Tree Park Summer Festival concert series continues, with free concerts scheduled throughout the summer, Wednesdays through Sundays, typically at 7:30 p.m.

Upcoming performers include: 

• Hot Club of Philadelphia. Gypsy Jazz, Americana, and more, inspired by the jazz talents of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. [Friday, 7/8]
• Whole Lotta AC/DC. A full authentic stage show complete with cannons and Hells Bells! [Saturday, 7/9]
• 22 Park Avenue. A toe-tapping evening with the best loved music of the the fabulous Big Band Era. [Sunday, 7/10]
• Legacy. Stellar 9-piece, all-pro lineup preforms party classics to today's top hits-- the most popular dance music ever! [Wednesday, July 13]
• The Rockdale Boys Bluegrass. A six-piece traditional bluegrass band delivers toe-tapping music with mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, guitar, and bass. [Thursday, July 14]

For the complete schedule, visit the Rose Tree Summer Festival website (linked below).

Concerts are weather permitting; there are no rain dates. Admission and parking are free. Handicapped parking is available. For more information, please call (610) 891-4455. 

Delaware County Govt Official 2022 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website