The Delaware County Weekly
Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!
—— March 4, 2022 (6th edition) ——
| |
Announcing the Approval of the Delaware County Health Department! | |
Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon announced the official approval of the Delaware County Health Department at the County’s Board of Health meeting on March 3.
The County received the Certificate of Approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Health stating that the Delaware County Health Department is ready to exercise its powers and duties.
In a letter addressed to Council, Acting Secretary of Health Keara Klinepeter noted, “Throughout the proposed establishment of this county department of health, including after submission of the Plan, your staff have regularly met with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, sought feedback, and made strides to create a successful health department. The amount of effort and work achieved is commendable and demonstrates the importance that Delaware County Council has placed on providing comprehensive public health services in Delaware County.”
The County notified all municipalities on March 3, 2022, and will be able to officially act as a Health Department 30 days later- making April 2, 2022, the official operational start date for the Delaware County Health Department.
For more information, please read the complete press release posted on our website.
| |
Delaware County Health Department | The Health Department's February 22 introductory presentation to the community | |
Delaware County Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution Condemning the Russian Federation's Invasion of Ukraine | |
Delaware County Council adopted a resolution on March 2, 2022 in support of the people of Ukraine, condemning the Russian Federation’s invasion, and urging Russia and Vladimir Putin to immediately cease it’s violent, illegal, and immoral assault upon the sovereign nation of Ukraine.
The full text of the resolution reads:
Whereas, the Russian Federation recently violated international peace and security agreements and amassed hundreds of thousands of troops on Ukraine's border; and
Whereas, Vladimir Putin has now launched an unjust and unwarranted invasion upon the peaceful nation of Ukraine; and
Whereas, Russian soldiers are currently sweeping through the country, inflicting violence and terror upon millions of civilians and destroying homes, businesses, and properties; and
Whereas, the United States has galvanized the international community and our allies to impose the strongest possible sanctions on Russia and its financial institutions in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and
Whereas, Pennsylvania is home to over one hundred thousand Ukrainian Americans and to millions who care deeply for and stand strongly in support of the Ukrainian people.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Pennsylvania Delaware County Council members concurring herein:
That we, the members of the Delaware County Council:
- Proudly stand alongside Ukraine, its people, and its leaders during this horrific and unnecessary war and vow to support Ukraine; and
- Condemn, in the strongest possible terms, Vladimir Putin's violent attack on the people of Ukraine and strongly endorse the swift and severe economic sanctions and stringent export controls that President Biden's administration has imposed on Russia; and
- Urge Russia to immediately cease its violent, illegal, and immoral assault upon Ukraine, end the needless bloodshed, and return to diplomacy and the rules-based international order that has ensured peace and prosperity for so many.
| |
Delaware County Council stands with the people of Ukraine, the local Ukrainian American community, and the many friends and families who call Pennsylvania and Delaware County their home. | |
Delaware County Women’s Commission Honors Women Providing Healing and Promoting Hope | |
Delaware County Council recognized March as Women’s History Month at its March 2 meeting.
March is National Women’s History Month, a month designated to commemorate and encourage the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.
The theme for this year’s Women’s History Month is “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope” and is a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during the pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided healing and hope throughout history.
Women have led the efforts to secure suffrage and equal opportunity for women, and have served in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, labor movements, civil rights movements, and other causes to create a more fair and just society for all.
For the first time in history, a woman is the Vice President of the United States, and President Biden’s Supreme Court pick, Ketanji Brown Jackson, is expected to be confirmed by mid-April. If confirmed, she’ll become the first Black woman to serve on the high court.
“I and my fellow female colleagues—Dr. Monica Taylor and Elaine Schaefer—are also proud to be part of history,” said Councilwoman Christine Reuther. “Three of the five members of Council are women, and for the first time in Delaware County’s history, two females now hold the Chair and Vice- Chair titles. That is absolutely incredible to be a part of!”
In honor of Women’s History Month, Council will join the Delaware County Women’s Commission to recognize several Delaware County women who have profoundly influenced women and girls across the county during a Women’s History Celebration at 11:00 a.m. on March 12, 2022, at the McCall Country Club in Upper Darby, PA.
Karen Barnes, Desiree La Marr Murphy, Nicole Stephenson, and Ashley Dolceamore will be honored for their contributions to Delaware County during this unprecedented time with the Woman of Achievement Award. The community is invited to join the celebration and learn more about the Delaware County Women’s Commission.
To purchase tickets to attend the Women’s History Celebration, or to become a sponsor, please contact the commission by email at DelCoWomensCommission@delcohsa.org.
| | | |
Delaware County to hold COVID-19 Remembrance Vigil on Tuesday, March 8 | |
On March 6, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 in the state was reported in Delaware County. It was a day that would be the beginning of devastating impacts across our entire community.
March 6 will mark two years since the COVID-19 pandemic first affected our community.
Tragically, in the past 2 years, Delaware County has lost over 1,800 people due to the virus. These are our family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and members of our community. During the pandemic, many family members and friends were not able to say goodbye to their loved ones due to public health concerns or travel restrictions, causing even more pain during an already difficult time of grieving.
Delaware County Council extends our deepest condolences to those who have lost a loved one to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The County will hold a Remembrance Vigil on Tuesday, March 8 at 1 p.m. on the steps of the Courthouse. Members of the community are invited to attend to pay tribute to their loved ones. The memorial will also be live-streamed on the County’s website.
In the midst of this deadly pandemic, where so many are grieving the loss of a family member, friend, neighbor, or coworker, it’s important that we pause and reflect, and remember each person we have lost. The hope is that the memorial will serve as a collective healing for our community.
| |
Delaware County to Hold Four-Day Job Fair | |
Delaware County is making progress towards its plan to resume full operational control and management of the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in early 2022 and is looking to fill many open positions spanning a variety of sectors, including security personnel, IT personnel, HR/Administrative support, Deputy Wardens, Program Coordinators, and more.
The County is also actively hiring staff for the new Delaware County Health Department and has open positions at the Delaware County Courthouse, the County Sheriff's Department, and the County's Park Police.
To help residents interested in applying, the County is holding a four-day Job Fair at the Delaware County 911 Center in Media.
Delaware County Job Fair
Dates: Sat. & Sun., March 5 & 6, and Sat. & Sun., March 12 & 13
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Delaware County 911 Center, 360 N. Middletown Road, Media, PA 19063
Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the Recruitment Team to discuss open positions to gain a better understanding of the job duties, the benefits offered, and have the team review their resume and skill set to determine if they are a candidate for that position (or give recommendations for different positions 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.
| |
Positions include:
- Correctional Officers
- Case Managers
- HR Specialist
- Court Information Officers
- Judicial Support Technician
- Maintenance Manager
- Judicial Support Assistant
- Payroll Manager
- Maintenance Technician
- IT Specialist
- Re-entry Case Manager
- Marriage License Clerk
- Domestic Relations Officer
- Bereavement Counselor
- Senior Financial Clerk
- Administrative Assistant
- Client Information Center Representative
- And many more!
Positions offer competitive employee benefits as well as opportunities for advancement.
| |
Jobs are listed alphabetically | Individuals interested in working for the County of Delaware are asked to complete a Job Interest Form. | |
Delaware County Implements Updated Mask Guidance | |
Effective Tuesday, March 1, 2022, Delaware County Government implemented new COVID-19 mask guidance that relaxes requirements for fully vaccinated* individuals.
Masks are no longer required inside County-operated facilities for County employees and members of the public who are fully vaccinated, with the exception of employees who have direct contact with the public; those engaged in custodial care and health-related positions and visitors to those locations (e.g. Health Department, George W. Hill Correctional Facility, and Fair Acres).
Directors of individual departments may elect to impose stricter requirements to address the needs of their agencies.
County employees and the public will be required to wear masks during public meetings regardless of vaccination status.
Unvaccinated County employees and visitors to County buildings will be required to wear masks indoors at all County facilities.
Delaware County’s decision to adopt more relaxed mask guidance is based on the steady decline in the number of hospital beds being used, hospital admissions due to COVID-19, and the number of new COVID-19 cases in the community over a seven-day period; all factors that the CDC tracks as part of their process for monitoring community transmission.
* Per CDC guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Individuals that don’t meet these requirements, regardless of age, are NOT fully vaccinated.
| | |
Our COVID-19 Update: March 2, 2022 | |
Delaware County’s Medical Advisor Lisa O'Mahony, M.D. provides the the most recent Delaware County COVID-19 Task Force Update, addressing recent trends regarding Delco positivity rates, case counts, and hospitalizations. | |
National Read Across America Day | |
Each March, Delaware County participates in National Read Across America Day—a day to celebrate the power of books, and their ability to transport us to faraway lands, learn about incredible people and places, and often learn valuable lessons.
Read Across America Day was launched in 1998 to motivate children to enjoy reading through events, programs, and partnerships.
This year, Read Across America Day occurred on Wednesday, March 2, and Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor was honored to be invited to read at Bywood Elementary School in Upper Darby, and Harris Elementary School in Collingdale.
Thank you to the teachers and students at Bywood Elementary and Harris Elementary for letting us celebrate Read Across America Day with you!
Delaware County is fortunate to have many County libraries and school libraries FILLED with books to nurture young readers. Visit the Delaware County Libraries website for a complete list of locations, services, and
| | | | |