During Delaware County Council’s January 18 public meeting, an update was given on the planning process for the use of the funds the County will receive as part of the $26 billion multi-state opioid settlement with Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson.

In September 2022, Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor and District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced that Delaware County will receive $63 million in 18 annual payments. The funding will be used to tackle the devastating opioid epidemic affecting Delaware County residents, their loved ones, and the community. Delaware County was the first county in the state to sue for damages against suppliers of opioids and their consulting physicians.

To ensure that the funds are used to combat the opioid crisis to the best of their ability, Delaware County formed an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary Task Force last fall to provide recommendations to County Council for short-term and immediate uses, as well as long-term programming that can be supported by the new funding.

Sandy Garrison, Chief of Human Services and Community Support and member of the Opioid Settlement Funds Task Force detailed the programs and treatments the funds may be used for, the process by which decisions will be made, and the efforts being made to engage the public in the management of the settlement funds through the new interdepartmental and interdisciplinary Task Force.

“It is critically important that Delaware County move quickly to put the new funding into use, because every day of delay is another day that someone struggles with addiction and its devastating impact on their lives, the lives of their loved ones, and the community,” said Sandy Garrison. “Delaware County has taken enormous strides to reform how it thinks about and addresses public health and safety in recent years, and these funds will continue the progress we are making to treat addiction as a public health epidemic and deliver necessary care and services to treat it.” 

Core Strategies that will guide the allocation of funds:

• Expand/Support Use of Naloxone & Medication Assisted Treatment 
• Treatment/Screening for Pregnant/Post-Partum Women and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Babies
• Warm Hand-Offs
• Treatment for Incarcerated Population
• Prevention/Education
• Syringe Service Programs
• Data Collection & Research

Funds will also be used for Wrap-Around Services, the support of Drug Courts and Diversion Programs, and support of First Responders.

“Delaware County will use these funds to make a significant impact on the addiction epidemic in our county,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “We can help those suffering with addiction and educate the community about the danger of opioids with a focus on prevention and recovery.”

Sandy Garrison also highlighted the important role the Task Force will play in coordinating among County departments, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, medical professional, and organizations and residents who have experience with addiction and/or provide services to people struggling with addiction.

“Addressing substance abuse in our communities requires a team effort, marrying prevention, education, and treatment efforts to help people who are suffering.” said District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer “I am proud to work with our community and governmental partners in this effort made possible by resources recovered in litigation initiated by me and County Council to hold opioid distributors accountable for the harm they caused in our county.”

To ensure the Task Force represents the community, the County is calling for members of the public to apply to be on the Task Force. Residents can email an expression of interest to DelcoBoards@co.delaware.pa.us.

Council will appointment members to the Task Force during the Feb. 1 public meeting, and the first public meeting with the new Task Force will be held on Feb. 23 at 6:00 p.m.

Delaware County Council, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, Sheriff Jerry Sanders, and County Controller Joanne Phillips joined various elected officials, organizations, community groups, and residents from across the county in honoring and celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 16.

Council and various County Leaders were honored to attend numerous tributes to Dr. King throughout the day, beginning with a Unity Day Breakfast at the Drexelbrook, hosted by the YMCA of Eastern Delaware County. Council Chair Dr. Monica served as the keynote speaker and highlighted the importance of unity. 

“We are more powerful when we are united and when we stand together and work toward the greater good for all humanity,” said Dr. Taylor. “We rise as individuals and we rise as a collective humanity when we are united, and when our intentions and our hearts are pure. Dr. King was a beacon and his message of freedom, equality, justice, and love serves to remind us how we should live our lives each day, how we should carry out our life’s work, and how we should teach our children and grandchildren who follow in our footsteps.”

Following the Unity Breakfast, Council joined the Philadelphia Union, the City of Chester, Widener University, the Chester Cultural Arts and Technology Center (the CAAT Center), and the Making A Change Group to host an MLK Day of Service. 

The day included a tribute at Calvary Baptist Church in Chester, where Dr. King attended from 1948-1951 while studying at the Crozer Theological Seminary, and where he also served as a Sunday School teacher and youth minister. Councilman Richard Womack presented a resolution to the church’s pastor, noting the church’s rich history and connection to Dr. King. The Calvary Baptist Church was organized in 1879 by a small group of freed slaves and is credited as an influential force in Dr. King’s life.

Following the presentation, dozens of community members participated in an inspirational Peace March to MLK Memorial Park in Chester. After the march, participants rolled up their sleeves to clean up and beautify the park and the surrounding streets and yards. After the cleanup, volunteers were invited to the CAAT Center where community-building activities were held in honor of the legacy and spirit of the great Dr. King

Council was also proud to attend the 28th Greater Philadelphia MLK Day of Service Food Donation Drive in Prospect Park, where hundreds of food donations were collected and will be distributed to residents in need across the county.

Councilman Richard Womack was also humbled to participate in a Community Reading of Dr. King’s “I’ve been to the Mountaintop” speech at Prospect Park Baptist Church, which also featured readings by County Controller Joanne Phillips and other elected officials. 

Council commends and thanks the members of the community who organized and participated in the MLK Day of Service events that were held in Dr. King’s honor. 

Delaware County Council commends Elizabeth (Betsy) Walls, a life-long Delaware County resident and long-time Citizen Corps of Delaware County volunteer, on her recent recognition by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for her invaluable contributions to the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEP)—earning her recognition as one of just two “PHEP Trailblazers” from Pennsylvania!

Betsy’s recognition as a Pennsylvania PHEP Trailblazer for her decades-long service to public health comes as CDC celebrates the 20th anniversary of the PHEP program. Only a select number of state, local, and territorial public health preparedness workforce members throughout the nation are awarded the “PHEP Trailblazer” recognition, and Delaware County is proud that Betsy was among this prestigious group. 

“Betsy has been an amazing leader. The Delaware County Medical Reserve Corps has been extremely fortunate to have someone with her background and experience on the team,” said Timothy Boyce, Director of the Delaware County Emergency Services Department.

A graduate of the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing and Widener University Graduate School of Nursing and Business, Betsy served the Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Nursing, Nurse Administration, and Nurse Education for over 30 years and Penn Medicine Chester County as a Nursing Supervisor for seven years. Betsy has also held several notable leadership roles, serving as President of the Delaware County Nurse Association, Pennsylvania Nursing Association, and President of the Pennsylvania Nurses Foundation. Her assistance with the development and implementation of volunteer education operations has contributed greatly to Chester and Delaware counties’ vaccination efforts, during which she provided over 600 hours of service.

“On behalf of Delaware County Council, I want to congratulate Betsy for her decades of selfless service to not only our county, but to Chester and Philadelphia counties as well,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. “The groundwork laid by the PHEP program, and Betsy’s contributions before and during the pandemic helped the County respond quickly and aggressively to the COVID-19 pandemic.“ 

Included in her illustrious career is a decade of service as a Flight Nurse for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, where she traveled to many exotic and distant locations, including Cuba, Germany and Japan among others. Despite her official retirement, Betsy continues to serve as part of the Citizen Corps of Delaware County Leadership Team.

Congratulations Betsy!

An estimated 500 attendees shared ideas regarding the park at the former Don Guanella school site

Delaware County held a public Open House on Sat., Jan. 14 to hear ideas and feedback from the community about the Master Plan for the new County park, located on the site of the former Don Guanella School property and adjacent to the Cardinal O’Hara High School in Marple Township.

An estimated 500 residents attended the Open House, which provided an engaging forum for residents, County officials, and members of the Master Plan Advisory Committee to discuss a host of interesting ideas that will be considered in creating the park master plan. 

The Open House, held in the gymnasium of Cardinal O’Hara High School, was the first formal opportunity for members of the public to provide feedback to help shape the future park since the County announced its intention to acquire the 213-acre Don Guanella parcel in June of 2021.

“We’re thrilled with the turnout of people who have an interest in our new park,” said Gina Burritt, Director of the Delaware County Planning Department. “This is the first of many different opportunities the public will have to provide input – what do they want to see, their needs, and the experiences they’d like to have in the park.” 

Attendees were invited to visit 10 different stations with maps and materials designed to capture ideas on outdoor recreational experiences and conservation of this important site. County staff and the planning team of Toole Recreation Planning, JMT, Natural Lands and Urban Partners were on hand to listen to the community’s ideas and answer questions about the project.

Rob Jordan, a member of the Park Master Plan Advisory Committee, explained “We want to know what kind of activities people would like to see. There’s a contingent that wants to make it virgin forest. There’s a contingent that wants to see more motorbike paths and bicycle paths or even put in playgrounds and zip lines. We’re running the whole gamut of what people could see.”

To envision the future, attendees were invited to express their interest in innovative facilities found in popular parks nationwide that could be offered in the new park. Photos depicting woodlands, trails, nature areas, art installations, children’s programming, food trucks, amphitheaters, play spaces, campgrounds, gardens, seasonal lighting displays, and more were displayed for attendees to rate. The County presented a short informative video about the park site that looped throughout the day. Children enjoyed the Kids’ Corner, where they used their imagination to draw their vision of the new park.

Attendees were also encouraged to share their own ideas. Sticky notes and pens were provided throughout the many stations, a videographer interviewed residents about what the 213-acre park could be in their own words (a short video will be produced in the coming weeks from these responses), and children were invited to a Kids’ Corner where they were asked to use their imagination to draw their vision of the new park.

“We have a unique and exciting opportunity here,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. “We want to make this a world class destination park while still ensuring that the land provides the critical green space and natural features that are needed in Delaware County and throughout our region and we value the important feedback from the community.” 

What's Next?

Saturday’s Open House is only the first of several opportunities that residents will have to provide input on the park process. In the coming weeks and months, web-based surveys, public meetings, and an expanded park website will be made available.

For park updates and information about future opportunities to provide input, residents can visit delcopa.gov/newpark or can contact the Delaware County Planning Department by email at DelcoNewParkPlan@co.delaware.pa.us or by phone at (610) 891-5200.

Delaware County Councilwoman Christine Reuther was proud to join Doug Nakashima, Executive Director of Rocky Run YMCA, Shaun Elliott, President and CEO of Greater Philadelphia YMCA, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, State Representatives Lisa Borowski, Jennifer O’Mara, and Gina Curry, and State Senators Tim Kearney and Amanda Cappelletti for a ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of the newest Cradles to Crayons’ Giving Spot, located in the parking area of the Rocky Run YMCA in Media. 

Cradles to Crayons is an award-winning non-profit that partners with service organizations (such as churches and schools), to provide children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. 

The Cradles to Crayons Giving Spot at Rocky Run is a self-service drop-off unit, open 24/7, that accepts new and gently used children’s clothing (infant to youth sizes 18/20 and adult sizes small & medium), shoes (toddler sizes 4–13 and adult sizes 1–10), coats, pajamas, school supplies, and books.

New (and only new) socks, underwear, and hygiene items (including unopened diapers, pull-ups, and diaper wipes) are also appreciated. 

“As a parent, I know that shoes and jackets seem to be outgrown almost as soon as the tags have been removed,” said Councilwoman Reuther. “So, these drop-off Giving Spots really make it easy for parents who quickly find their dressers and closets filled with too-small and lightly-used clothing to easily help out members of the community who are in need.” 

The new location is the third Giving Spot opened by Cradles to Crayons, and the first Giving Spot to be opened in Delaware County.

All donations are processed and redistributed to local children in need. 

For more information about the organization, visit the Cradles to Crayons website. For an up-to-date list of the most-needed items, go directly to their "Items We Accept" page.

A short video about Cradles to Crayons

Delaware County is changing the time for the Public Agenda Meetings that are typically held on alternating Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Beginning January 31 and continuing through the end of April, these bi-weekly meetings will be held at 12 noon.

As a reminder, Public Agenda meetings serve to familiarize County Council, other government representatives in attendance, and the public on matters before votes and other decisions are undertaken by Council during the Regular Public Meetings that are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.

County Council meetings are open to the public and Council encourages public participation. Meetings are livestreamed for public viewing, and available shortly after the meeting's completion as a recording. Livestreamed and recorded meetings are available at delcopa.gov/meetings.

Delaware County Govt Official 2023 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website