Rebecca Anderson has received the Community Excellence Award from the Ability Network of Delaware, a nonprofit association representing community service providers, for her work supporting people with autism during their transition to adult life. Anderson is a direct support professional with POW&R, Autism Delaware’s adult vocational program.
The Christina School District’s respite program, which offers home care for children in the Delaware Autism Program while their parents are away, was suspended – though a district spokeswoman said the suspension is temporary. A Christina School Board member said the action is likely due to a recent audit that judged Christina respite workers earn “excessive” overtime wages.
The Precisionists Inc., a Wilmington-based company that almost exclusively employs people with disabilities, recently announced a pilot program that will see its employees working for Delaware state agencies. The program started several months ago at the Department of Health and Social Services’ Audit and Recovery Management Services Unit, which works to identify fraud in state programs.
One in 6 children – 17.8 percent – had at least one developmental disability in 2017, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say in a recent study. This is up from 16.2 percent in 2009. While some increase is likely due to improved awareness and health care access, the study leader calls the increase in prevalence a “significant change.”
Lulu Ross Elementary and Benjamin Banneker Elementary of Milford School District have been honored for their Unified Sports programs, which combine athletes with and without disabilities. Conferred by U.S. Special Olympics, the distinction recognizes inclusive youth leadership and schoolwide engagement. Caesar Rodney High School, Thomas McKean High School and Middletown High School were also honored.
