Please note that the Delaware County Courthouse and the Government Center will be closed on Monday, January 2 in observance of the New Year.

Delaware County Council wishes residents a happy Kwanzaa!

Kwanzaa is a week-long African-American celebration, observed annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, that celebrates family, culture, community, and the harvest. The word “Kwanzaa” itself comes from the Kiswahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning “first fruits [of the harvest]” and the holiday culminates in a communal feast called Karamu.

Kwanzaa, first celebrated in 1966, was the idea of Dr. Maulana Karenga, an African-American author, professor, and activist, who created the holiday with community and cultural spirit of traditional African harvest festivals in mind. 

Kwanzaa focuses on seven essential principles, known as the Nguzo Saba, which are each represented by one day of the seven-day celebration. These principles are:

1. Unity (umoja)
2. Self-Determination (kujichagulia)
3. Collective Work and Responsibility (ujima)
4. Cooperative Economics (ujamaa)
5. Purpose (nia)
6. Creativity (kuumba), and
7. Faith (imani)

During Kwanzaa, people traditionally decorate their homes with straw mats, ears of corn, and a candleholder called a kinara, which is adorned with red, green, and black candles. Red is said to represent ancestry and unity; black, the people; and green, the fertile land (Africa). A candle is lit for each day of Kwanzaa and celebrants may also exchange gifts.

Despite the fact that it is often thought of as a substitute for Christmas or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, and families who celebrate Kwanzaa often celebrate it in addition to Christmas, Hanukkah, or another religious holiday.

Delaware County Council is proud to highlight the County's many 2022 achievements that are fundamentally changing the County's operations and building a stronger future for every resident and worker in the county.

From January's swearing-in of the most diverse Council in the County’s history to the 2022 Alternative Fuel Leadership Award being presented to the Sustainability Office in December, each month of 2022 has included accomplishments and changes to how the County operates through deliberate and purposeful action to implement impactful programs and policies and key investments in the future of Delaware County.

"This year represented the transition from promises and plans to implementation and unprecedented change at the County level," said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. "From launching a new County health department to assuming control of the George W. Hill Correctional to planning for the County's largest park at the former Don Guanella site to continuing to protect people and businesses from the ongoing impact of COVID-19 all while holding the line on taxes, this has been a year of extraordinary progress and achievements for the County.”

Since a new majority assumed control of Council in January 2020, Delaware County has begun to fundamentally rethink how it delivers services and invests in its future and the future of its residents. Plans began in those early first days and went from being ideas to ongoing, successful operations.

Among the major achievements in Delaware County this year were:

January:

• Swearing in of the most diverse and first majority female Council in the County’s history
• Prison Warden Laura Williams hired and begins work to ensure the care, custody, and control of the incarcerated population at George W. Hill prison and the preparation for their successful reintegration into the community

February:

• Health Department Director Melissa Lyon introduces the Delaware County Health Department leadership team that includes Division Administrator of Environmental Health; Division Administrator of Population Health; Division Administrator of Personal Health; a Public Health Physician; and an Epidemiologist 
• County offers continued mortgage and housing-related assistance made available for residents affected by the pandemic

March:

• Council approves a proposal to create a plan to transform the 213-acre Don Guanella property in Marple Township into the largest public park in the county and its first major park in more than two decades.
• The Delaware County Recorder of Deeds Office offers a free property fraud protection tool, called FraudSleuth®, that helps Delaware County property owners safeguard against property fraud

April:

• The Delaware County Health Department is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to act in its official capacity as a health department
• Delaware County officially assumes control of George W. Hill Correctional Facility
• Delaware County receives $1M in funding for Congressionally directed spending projects to be used for Safety Improvements Projects
• Delaware County awarded two Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants totaling $600,000 by the DEP to be used by the County for the purchase of new electric vehicles and related charging stations
• Delaware County receives the prestigious Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence in recognition of the County’s successful Emergency Rental Assistance (Delco ERA) Program
• The Delaware County Office of Sustainability hosts the 1st Annual Sustainability Conference
• Delaware County’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer joins the County team
• Delaware County’s Office of Sustainability receives the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

May:

• Delaware County Elections holds successful and secure Primary Election
• A graduation ceremony is held for the first class of cadets at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility Training Academy since the facility was de-privatized 
• Delaware County announces $475K in grants for community and neighborhood projects specifically designed to provide outreach to historically underserved communities
• Delaware County launches a series of public workshops to gather community feedback as part of an effort to update the County’s 10-year Municipal Waste Management Plan

June:

• Delaware County raises the Pride flag outside of the Courthouse, celebrating diversity in the community and County workplace
• Delaware County Holds Mid-Year Budget Workshop for the public
• Delaware County Park Police launches a new bike patrol
• Delaware County holds first ever County Juneteenth Celebration in Rose Tree Park
• Delaware County Council adopts resolution setting first ever diversity goals
• Delaware County awarded $2M for Gun Violence Prevention Efforts

July:

• The Delaware County Controller’s Office awarded a “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting”
• The Delaware County Workforce Development Board 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

August:

• Council approves major upgrade of the public safety radio system to improve public safety response and safety of first responders and the community
• Delaware County breaks ground for new County park at Upland Park

September:

• Delaware County announces historic $62.5M opioid settlement with pharmaceutical distributors
• Delaware County Council votes to establish The Delaware County Commission for Immigrant Affairs

October:

• Delaware County relaunches an enhanced Veterans’ Discount Program
• District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer provides a progress report on the work of the Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods (CPSN) in curbing gun violence in the city: There has been a 59.7% decrease in non-fatal shootings since 2019, a 60% decrease in gun violence homicides since 2020, and a 55% decrease in gun violence incidents since 2019
• Delaware County forms a new committee to lead the planning process for the America250 Celebration and announces plans to hire a Director to leads efforts

November:

• County holds safe, secure, and accountable General Election
• Delaware County Council authorizes $1.7M in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide grants to local fire departments across the county
• Fair Acres recognized as one of “America’s Best Nursing Homes” for 2023 by Newsweek

December:

• Delaware County awarded 2022 Alternative Fuel Leadership Award
• County awards $5 million in new Green Ways Grants to 24 projects across the county
• Delaware County announces plans to create a new land bank to allow the County to reinvest abandoned properties for affordable housing, businesses, and green space
• Delaware County receives grant to create a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQIA+ community 
• Through a partnership with the Delaware County Veteran Affairs Office, Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on four new affordable houses in Lansdowne
• Delaware County Council unanimously approves the County’s FY 2023 budget and holds the line on taxes.
• The Delaware County Health Department announces it has administered over 172,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses since the Health Department was established April 

“The County accomplished a great deal in 2022 and it would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication, and insight of the members of our County team,” said Dr. Taylor. “We are proud of the work we have done to improve and invest in our county and we’re excited about our goals for 2023.”

Beginning on Tue., Jan. 3, the Delaware County Health Department, in partnership with Personic Health Care, will expand its existing COVID-19 testing capabilities at the Delaware County Wellness Center at Yeadon to include influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) rapid antigen testing.

Located at 125 Chester Avenue in Yeadon, the Wellness Center's testing hours will be 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Testing will not be offered on Thursdays or Sundays.  

Previously, access to rapid RSV and flu testing had generally been limited to hospitals and healthcare providers in the region, leaving many of Delaware County’s most vulnerable residents with few options, especially when caring for children and older adults.

The Yeadon testing site will provide same-day flu and RSV testing results via text/email alongside the existing free COVID-19 testing at this location.

Using grant funding to the Delaware County Department of Health, all testing services at the Yeadon location are free to residents—regardless of health insurance or immigration status. This expansion of testing services in Yeadon supports the Health Department’s mission to address health disparities in communities where services are needed the most. By providing convenient and free testing to the communities who have suffered the most severe health impacts, the County takes another step in that direction.

“This cold and flu season has been the most serious season in recent memory,” said Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon. “Access to free RSV and flu testing is one more tool we have to ensure a safe and healthy winter season for all residents. Hospital visits for flu-like symptoms have spiked in recent weeks, but it is not too late to protect yourself. Flu season can extend into the spring. Testing when you are sick and getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 are steps you can take to prevent serious illness and protect your loved ones from getting sick.”

COVID-19, RSV and flu testing appointments at the Delaware County Wellness Center at Yeadon are not required but are strongly suggested. Individuals can schedule a test on the Personic Health Care website, linked below.

Delaware County Council, the County’s Planning Department, the County’s Office of Sustainability, and the County’s Parks and Recreation Department will hold a public Open House on January 14 to hear ideas and feedback from the community about the Master Plan for the new County park in Marple Township.

The County’s newest and largest park—to be located on the former Don Guanella School site near Reed and Sproul Roads in Marple Township—will consist of 213 acres and will be home to woodlands, wetlands, grassland, and many wildlife species. The creation of a park on the Don Guanella tract is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create an open and accessible public space that will provide immediate and ongoing economic, environmental, and quality of life benefits to the Delaware County community. The site is one of Delco’s largest forests.

“We are extremely excited about our new County park and we want to hear from residents from across the County about their ideas on how we can create a destination park and open space that will benefit all residents,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. “The property is already a cherished regional destination for many residents and community engagement and input is important as we plan for this epic new park!”

Residents are invited to the Public Open House for Delco’s New Park Master Plan on Saturday January 14, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon at the Cardinal O’Hara High School Gym located at 1701 S. Sproul Road in Springfield. A snow date is scheduled for February 4, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon at the same location.

Residents can view displays about the park, ask the Delaware County Planning Department questions, and provide ideas, concerns, and suggestions. A children’s’ table will also be set up to hear what the youngest Delco residents would like to have in a new park.

In June 2021, the County announced its intention to acquire the 213-acre Don Guanella parcel after its development into housing and institutional use was unanimously rejected by the Marple Township Board of Commissioners and opposed by the Planning Commission. In March 2022, Delaware County Council approved and funded a proposal to create a plan to transform the property into the largest public park in the county. In September 2022, an Advisory Committee was formed to assist the County with the planning of the new park.

For questions or more information on the Open House, please contact the Delaware County Planning Department by email at DelcoNewParkPlan@co.delaware.pa.us or by phone at (610) 891-5200.

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD), under the direction of Melissa Lyon, is proud to detail its accomplishments since first opening in April 2022. In the short nine months of its operations, the newly created County Health Department has accomplished significant achievements.  

“This has always been a rare and exciting opportunity for me,” said DCHD Director Melissa Lyon. “Everyone has had challenging moments, building a health department from the ground up is a daring endeavor. The staff here is the most courageous and dedicated group I know. When we take a moment to look back, it is clear we accomplished so much in such a short period of time.” 

The DCHD was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to act in its official capacity as a health department on April 2, 2022. This marked the first health department to be established in the state of Pennsylvania in the past 33 years. And the first county-run health department ever in Delaware County.  

Major milestones since the DCHD's official opening on April 2, 2022, include the following:

January 2022: Melissa Lyon Officially Starts as First Director of DCHD

April 2022: Delaware County Wellness Line Began Operations 

The Delaware County Wellness Line—accessible by phone at (484) 276-2100 and by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us—has been a lifeline to resources for many residents and offers help that they may not have known was available. Many residents have reached out to the Wellness Line team in times of need and during times of fear and uncertainty during the pandemic, fielding a total of 6,906 calls since April 2022. The Wellness Line team strives to offer support and comfort to every caller and helps point them in the right direction.

The Wellness Line intake call center The DCHD Wellness Line is available during traditional business hours and is primarily intended for non-urgent inquiries. After hours, DCHD’s Wellness line remains available to take messages. Residents in need of immediate assistance for life-threatening emergencies should dial 911.

April 2022: Environmental Health Initiates Licensing and Inspection of Businesses 

The Health Department’s Environmental Division began visiting businesses for licensing and inspections in 42 municipalities in Delaware County. The Environmental Health Division is responsible for the prevention of human injury and illness, the promotion of a healthy environment, and protecting the community from environmental hazards. The department prevents, minimizes, and contains adverse health events and conditions resulting from communicable diseases like food, water, vector-borne outbreaks, chronic disease, environmental hazards, injuries, and health disparities. The team has conducted almost 4,000 since April. 

May 2022: DCHD Formally Assumes Primary COVID-19 Vaccination Operations 

Previously, vaccination services were conducted at the Watkins Avenue Senior Center in Upper Darby, and the Keystone First Wellness and Opportunity Center in Chester. This marked the relocation of all county run vaccinations to the Department’s new clinic locations: the Delaware County Wellness Centers in Yeadon and Chester. The Health Department has administered 172,615 COVID-19 vaccine doses as of the end of November. 

June 2022: DCHD and Personic Health Care Open COVID-19 Testing Site in Yeadon 

In an effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 testing during a time of surging positive cases, the Delaware County Health Department partnered with Personic Health Care, a local Springfield-based health provider, to open a new outdoor, community testing site at the Delaware County Wellness Center at Yeadon. This partnership remains and has plans to expand beyond COVID-19 testing in 2023. 

August 2022: Delaware County Health Department Wellness Center in Yeadon Becomes Fully Operational

The Wellness Center had primarily operated as a robust and busy COVID-19 community vaccination site as well as COVID-19 testing location. Starting in April and fully functioning by August, it began operating public health clinics that work to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections (STI). It was also necessary to begin operating broader vaccination clinics for the uninsured and underinsured clients through the Free Vaccine for Children (VFC) program and adult immunization program. In addition, there is a whole team of disease intervention specialists and epidemiology staff that work tirelessly to prevent the spread of reportable infectious and communicable diseases such as Salmonellosis, Hepatitis, measles, chicken pox, influenza, etc.   

August 2022: Environmental Health Inspection Management System (IMS) Database Deployed 

The Health Department implemented its data processing system that allows tracking of accurate documentation and records for most of the services the Health Department provides. This allows DCHD to easily track monies, applications, licensing, inspection, staff workload, and other efficiency functions. 

September 2022: Epidemiology Team Develops Plans for the First County-Wide Community Health Need Assessment     

The Community Health Assessment is a robust report that captures data and analysis of information that demonstrates the state of the health of Delaware County. This document is a pillar for which all public health work will be prioritized. The framework is established, and the work will commence in early 2023.  

October 2022: Epidemiology Team Develops First County and Municipality Level Childhood Lead Poisoning Report 

This is the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD)’s first childhood lead surveillance report. This Lead Poisoning Report is provided as a source of information for the public, healthcare providers, and other organizations and individuals interested in childhood lead poisoning burden and prevention in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

October 2022: Successful Transition of the West Nile Virus Program into the DCHD Environmental Division 

The Environmental Health Division scaled up staffing and training to smoothly transition the team into the division without interrupting the program’s operations and services to the community. 

November 2022: Pregnancy Testing Availability Launched at County Clinical Offices 

The Delaware County Health Department began offering no-cost pregnancy testing (urine testing only) to Delaware County women, at the Delaware County Wellness Centers in Yeadon and Chester. Women of all ages are welcome, and no insurance or ID is required. Results are provided immediately and are strictly confidential. 

November 2022: DCHD Kicked Off School Nurse Preparedness and Support Program

This grant-funded program supports school nurses in school districts that were selected to participate. This program is designed to build capacity and strengthen the public health role of nurses in the public-school system.   

 ”We are proud of the work our team has done and we want the community to know that the Health Department is here to support them and we are excited to work to bring additional resources and programs to Delco in 2023,” said Director Lyon. 

The Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA), in collaboration with the Delaware County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), is hosting a free one-day Zoom-based program called “Healthy Habits for the New Year” that is intended to help seniors ring in the New Year by eating better, feeling better, and losing weight—now and throughout 2023!

The program will focus on the good foods and habits that we can add to our diets and lifestyles, rather than focusing on the things we’re typically told we must remove. This positive approach seeks to introduce good foods and habits and looks to transition us from the excesses of the ‘eat, drink and by merry’ holidays towards a more sustainable health and wellness routine.

Scheduled for Tue., Jan. 17 at 11 a.m., Healthy Habits for the New Year is led by Danielle Burke, a Licensed and Registered Dietician and Nutritionist, and Owner and Lead Dietitian at Dietitian Next Door. 

Although free, registration is required. To register, contact Ellen Williams by email at williamse@co.delaware.pa.us or by phone at (610) 499-1937 and provide your name, phone number and email address.  

Hope you can join us!

Delaware County Govt Official 2022 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website