WILMINGTON, DE — Governor John Carney, accompanied by First Spouse Tracey Quillen Carney, made an important announcement this Thursday: the 2024 recipients of the esteemed Compassionate Champion Awards. This recognition honors a diverse array of institutions, organizations, and individuals throughout Delaware who have taken innovative steps to provide trauma-informed services, in line with the Delaware Developmental Framework for Trauma-Informed Care.
But you may be wondering, what does it mean to provide trauma-informed services? The concept, at its core, is simple yet pivotal. Essentially, these are services that are designed with an understanding of the pervasive role trauma can play in people’s lives, and the wide-ranging effects it can have. It means implementing practices sensitive to trauma and creating environments respectful of individuals’ experiences. It’s about enhancing communication, and increasing the responsiveness of assistance offered to all, but especially to those directly affected by traumatic circumstances.
For the past several years, the Compassionate Champion Awards have played a crucial role in bringing attention to Trauma Awareness Month. This ceremony shines a spotlight on the profound effects of trauma, how it impacts a multitude of sectors within our state, and the ways in which dedicated community members and organizations are making a difference by adopting trauma-informed approaches.
The 2024 awardees range from government bodies to community organizations; from education establishments to healthcare professionals. The diverse spectrum of this year’s recipients reflects the breadth of sectors engaging in this transformative work. Among those awarded are the Delaware Department of Correction, the Center for Structural Equity, the Christiana Care Forensic Nurse Examiner Team, and various individuals like Zainab Shah from the University of Delaware and Crystal Tickner from the Department of Health and Social Services.
This year’s ceremony also sees the inclusion of two additional prizes presented by Trauma Matters Delaware: the First Chance Youth award and the Rita Landgraf Lifetime Achievement award. Erin Mitchell, Executive Director for Trauma Matters Delaware, shared her anticipation for the 6th Annual Compassionate Champions Awards, an event marking the relentless dedication and resilience of Delawareans working tirelessly to contribute to their communities.
First Spouse Carney’s initiative, First Chance Delaware, established in 2018, has been a driving force in encouraging collaboration and sharing of best practices in dealing with childhood trauma. Their efforts, focused on ending childhood hunger, boosting early language skills, and promoting effective recognition of and response to childhood trauma, amplify the ethos of the Compassionate Champion Awards.
In the same year, the Family Services Cabinet Council rolled out Executive Order #24, commencing the journey to make Delaware a trauma-informed state. This signifies Delaware’s steadfast commitment to integrate trauma-informed practices across all environments serving children and adults in the state.
With each Compassionate Champion Award bestowed, Delaware takes one step closer to becoming a fully trauma-informed state – a state that understands, respects, and addresses the impacts of trauma with compassion, sensitivity, and effectiveness. Congratulations to the 2024 awardees – champions indeed. Your invaluable work is shaping the future of Delaware and its approach to trauma, setting an example for the entire nation.
For more information about Trauma Awareness Month events and registration, visit traumamattersdelaware.org/events/.
To watch the Compassionate Champion Awards, tune in to de.gov/live at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, May 7th.
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