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Delaware
Milford School Counselor Delaware 2024 Behavioral Health Professional of the Year – State of Delaware News
Shannon Gronau, a school counselor from the Milford School District, is the state’s 2024 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.
Secretary of Education Mark Holodick and House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst made the announcement at a statewide banquet honoring the district and charter network behavioral health professionals of the year.
The Mispillion Elementary School counselor said by building strong relationships with students, she’s able to understand how to best support them.
Gronau told the story of a student who “hated school.
“This feeling manifested in many negative ways like attendance issues and aggression. Their parent considered pulling them from school,” she said. “To help I had to understand the student’s needs by building a strong, positive relationship.”
Through check-ins and weekly counseling, she helped the child build coping and anger management skills. She realized the student didn’t feel connected at school and didn’t have healthy morning and night routines at home. She also learned the student’s mother had died, and her family was grieving. Gronau helped connect the student to therapy, worked with the child’s teacher on classroom behavioral techniques and met with the child’s parent to help develop good morning/nighttime routines. She also worked with the school’s family interventionist to connect the family with needed community resources.
As their work together progressed, she offered the student the opportunity to help her run a small group to help other girls in the school also feeling a lack of connection. Today the student is flourishing at school and home.
“From this experience, I saw true growth because the student believed in their ability to do well and had someone that believed in them,” Gronau said.
Teaching leadership development is one of Gronau’s passions. She created a peer leadership group project that trains fourth and fifth grade students to mentor first graders who need a positive connection at school.
“Students thrive when they believe in their unique abilities and are given the opportunity to be a role model for younger students,” she said.
Her assistant principal, Ashley Ganley, said Gronau is beloved by her students.
“Walking the halls, you can see the hugs and waves she receives. The students trust her and confide in her,” Ganley said. “During her workday, Shannon can be found providing individual and group counseling. Her students learn valuable self-regulation skills in small groups or whole classes, which is so needed in today’s classroom and society.”
The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year (BHPY) program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:
- School counselors
- School social workers
- Licensed clinical social workers
- School psychologists
- School nurses
From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network winner receives a $2,000 personal award from the winner’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State winners receive an additional $3,000 personal award from DDOE as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of his or her students.
Learn more about all the 2024 District/Charter Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year here.
Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006
Related Topics: award, Delaware, education, professional, support, year
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Shannon Gronau, a school counselor from the Milford School District, is the state’s 2024 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.
Secretary of Education Mark Holodick and House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst made the announcement at a statewide banquet honoring the district and charter network behavioral health professionals of the year.
The Mispillion Elementary School counselor said by building strong relationships with students, she’s able to understand how to best support them.
Gronau told the story of a student who “hated school.
“This feeling manifested in many negative ways like attendance issues and aggression. Their parent considered pulling them from school,” she said. “To help I had to understand the student’s needs by building a strong, positive relationship.”
Through check-ins and weekly counseling, she helped the child build coping and anger management skills. She realized the student didn’t feel connected at school and didn’t have healthy morning and night routines at home. She also learned the student’s mother had died, and her family was grieving. Gronau helped connect the student to therapy, worked with the child’s teacher on classroom behavioral techniques and met with the child’s parent to help develop good morning/nighttime routines. She also worked with the school’s family interventionist to connect the family with needed community resources.
As their work together progressed, she offered the student the opportunity to help her run a small group to help other girls in the school also feeling a lack of connection. Today the student is flourishing at school and home.
“From this experience, I saw true growth because the student believed in their ability to do well and had someone that believed in them,” Gronau said.
Teaching leadership development is one of Gronau’s passions. She created a peer leadership group project that trains fourth and fifth grade students to mentor first graders who need a positive connection at school.
“Students thrive when they believe in their unique abilities and are given the opportunity to be a role model for younger students,” she said.
Her assistant principal, Ashley Ganley, said Gronau is beloved by her students.
“Walking the halls, you can see the hugs and waves she receives. The students trust her and confide in her,” Ganley said. “During her workday, Shannon can be found providing individual and group counseling. Her students learn valuable self-regulation skills in small groups or whole classes, which is so needed in today’s classroom and society.”
The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year (BHPY) program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:
- School counselors
- School social workers
- Licensed clinical social workers
- School psychologists
- School nurses
From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network winner receives a $2,000 personal award from the winner’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State winners receive an additional $3,000 personal award from DDOE as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of his or her students.
Learn more about all the 2024 District/Charter Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year here.
Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006
Related Topics: award, Delaware, education, professional, support, year
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Consider these activities during your Delaware beach vacation
Are you seeking thrill? Consider these activities during your Delaware beach vacation
Whether you frequent the beach during the summer or have a few short trips to visit friends planned, paying for parking can be just as much of a headache as finding it.
While most parking areas at the Delaware beaches require payment or passes to park, some spots are offering limited free parking for whoever gets to it first.
If you want to save some cash this summer, here’s how you can enjoy free parking in Delaware beach towns.
Free parking in Dewey Beach
Dewey offers paid parking on all public streets from May 15 to Sept. 15, but free parking every Monday, excluding federal holidays, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
For those with a handicapped placard or license plate, accessible parking is available for free in any zone. Your placard or plate serves as your permit.
Free parking in Rehoboth Beach
Paid parking by meter or permit in Rehoboth is enforced from May 15 to Sept. 15. Permits are required from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and metered spaces are required from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free parking is available after these times.
Rehoboth requires those with handicapped permits to pay meter fees or purchase a parking permit during times when parking payment is enforced.
Free parking in Fenwick Island
Parking permits and paid spots are required from May 15 through Sept. 15 between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. in Fenwick. Free parking is available after this time.
Fenwick requires those with handicapped permits to pay meter fees or purchase a parking permit during times when parking payment is enforced.
Beach parking guide: Delaware beaches reinstate meter, permit parking on May 15. How much will it cost?
Free parking in Bethany Beach
Public parking in Bethany requires payment or a permit from May 15 to Sept. 15. Parking rates are enforced from Hollywood Street to First Street from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on all other streets from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Free parking is available after these times.
Bethany requires those with handicapped permits to pay meter fees or purchase a parking permit during times when parking payment is enforced.
Free parking in Lewes
Lewes enforces paid parking from May 1 to Sept. 30 at the beaches and until Oct. 14 downtown. Hourly parking costs $1.50 at metered spots downtown and $2.50 at metered spots at the beach from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free parking is available after this time.
Lewes requires those with handicapped permits to pay meter fees or purchase a parking permit during times when parking payment is enforced.
There are several areas where free parking is available for longer periods in lots located at:
- Franklin and Schley avenues, which has electric vehicle charging stations
- Roosevelt Inlet, at the end of Cedar Avenue near the inlet
- Beebe Healthcare, off Market and Fourth streets, on evenings and weekends only
- Otis Smith Park, which has electric vehicle charging stations
- Lewes Little League, between July and March only
- The Lewes Library Trailhead
DART Beach Bus, Park & Ride
For a completely hands off experience, the Delaware Department of Transportation offers the Beach Bus shuttle service through DART, beginning May 20 and lasting through Sept. 8.
DelDOT saw a 16% increase in Beach Bus ridership from 2022 to 2023, with a whopping 242,566 passengers documented last year, the agency said, so if you haven’t tried it for yourself yet, you’re missing out.
The shuttle operates daily with increased frequencies from early morning to late at night. Exact times depend on which line passengers are aboard.
The Rehoboth Park & Ride is on 20055 Shuttle Road off of Delaware Route 1. The Lewes Transit Center is at 17616 Coastal Highway. Parking is free at both Park & Ride lots.
Upon boarding, bus fare costs $2 per trip, $4 for a daily pass, $16 for a seven-day consecutive day pass or $60 for a 30-day consecutive day pass. Student fare is $1 and reduced fare is 80 cents for those 65 years of age and older, or with a certified disability. Blind passengers ride free.
With the service’s family bargain, two adults with two children (46 inches or less) ride round trip to the beach on the 305 Beach Connection (Magenta Line) for $20 with a three-zone daily pass.
Buses stop at the beaches, lots and nearby areas including:
- Rehoboth Beach and the Rehoboth Boardwalk
- Lewes
- Long Neck
- Dewey Beach
- Bethany Beach
- South Bethany Beach
- Fenwick Island
- Ocean City, Maryland
- Millsboro
- Georgetown
Stops are also made at the outlets.
If that’s not enticing enough, all buses are air conditioned and equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Passengers can use the free DART Transit app to view bus stops, get real-time bus information and plan their trips. Payment also can be made from your phone with DART Pass mobile payment.
Deauville Beach visitor’s guide: Entry fees, annual passes announced for Deauville Beach, on sale beginning May 15
Bus passes can be purchased at DART First State Transportation stores, sales outlets, or online.
While at the beach, bus passes can be purchased from:
- Acme at 18578 Coastal Highway, #13, in Rehoboth Beach. It offers seven-day passes and Paratransit strip tickets.
- Big Oaks Campground (seasonal) at 35567 Big Oaks Lane in Rehoboth Beach. It offers seven-day passes.
- Cape Henlopen Senior Center at 11 Christian Street in Rehoboth Beach. It offers Paratransit strip tickets.
- DART First State — Lewes Transit Center at 17616 Coastal Highway in Lewes. It offers daily, seven-day and 30-day passes.
- DART First State Rehoboth Park & Ride (seasonal) at 20055 Shuttle Road in Rehoboth Beach. It offers daily, seven-day and 30-day passes.
- Lewes Senior Center at 32083 Janice Road in Lewes. It offers Senior Citizens Affordable Taxi tickets, also known as SCAT.
- United Checking Cashing at 662 North DuPont Boulevard in Milford. It offers all passes.
Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.
Some lawmakers and open government activists say last year’s theft just coming to light now highlights the state’s lack of transparency with the public.
“The administration should let the public know what’s going on, in terms of a theft of this size of money from the state of Delaware,” said Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, a Republican from Georgetown. “Whether it’s a fund that’s contributed to by businesses, or whether it is your general fund money, that’s paid by all taxpayers in the state. When there’s this kind of theft, we should be informed about it.”
The legislation sponsored by State Sen. Laura Sturgeon, a Democrat from northern Delaware, would create an inspector general’s office. The inspector would be charged with investigating state agencies, and the General Assembly, when there’s an allegation of waste, fraud, abuse or corruption. The inspector general would hire a staff of 10 and would be required to be certified in investigation, auditing or evaluation within three years.
Under the proposal, the IG would be independent because it would not be an elected position. A selection panel would provide three names to the sitting governor, who would choose one to nominate for the position. The appointment must be confirmed by the Senate. The IG would serve five-year terms.
Sturgeon said an Office of Inspector General would make incidents like the theft of taxpayer money from the UI trust fund more transparent to the public. She said it would add to the oversight of the attorney general and auditor of accounts, not duplicate them.
“The only way the public ever finds out about an investigation is if it leads to prosecution, and in which case, then you find out whatever comes out during the trial, if there’s a trial,” Sturgeon said. “If they don’t find enough evidence to prosecute, or there is no trial, it’s not like the attorney general then gives a big press release to the public sharing all the information that they gathered in their investigation. It’s just all kept very quiet. So these exact kinds of situations where — but for an Office of the Inspector General — the public may never know what’s happening behind closed doors.”
The sponsor said the office would investigate allegations of misconduct. Sturgeon said the IG would create a report that would be released to the public and posted to its website, but Sturgeon said the reports might not be released right away. Reports would not be created if the office determined there was no wrongdoing.
Sturgeon said the IG will have subpoena power and will be able to obtain documents currently barred from view by the public through exemptions under Delaware’s open records law. However, the new office would be able to exempt information of its own from the public, such as investigative documents.
The Delaware Coalition for Open Government’s John Flaherty said the creation of an IG office will provide a layer of transparency the public lacks due to the amount of information state officials are currently able to shield because of exemptions in the open records law. He said open government advocates have fought for over 20 years to make Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act laws more transparent, only to encounter fierce pushback from government officials.
“[The inspector general’s office] will release a report and that report will have the critical information that we’re looking for,” he said. “We really don’t need to see the specific documents, as long as the substance of those documents are contained in a report released to the public.”
The bill has bipartisan support, including Republicans Sen. Pettyjohn and Rep. Mike Smith. Long-time former Auditor Tom Wagner opposes the concept.
“You’re just creating another office with more overhead,” he said. “And then how do you differentiate between who gets the fraud: the inspector general, the auditor’s office or the AG’s office?”
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