Delaware
Governor's office opts not to fund more social work positions within DOJ, cites lack of data
Gov. John Carney’s FY25 budget plan did not include money for additional victim service specialists (VSS) in the Department of Justice (DOJ), but the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) is reconsidering.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings is requesting around $645,000 to replace two expiring grant funded positions in the victim compensation assistance program and add six new positions to support the work of the criminal and family divisions.
State Sen. Stephanie Hansen (D-Middletown) was among the committee members to express their disappointment about the lack of recommended funding.
“We have spent a lot of time as legislators on issues regarding sexual abuse and domestic violence, child abuse, neglect – we spend a lot of time with that, and to not see that reflected over in the recommended column was shocking and disappointing,” she says.
“One of the things they don’t teach you in law school is how to be a victim service specialist or a social worker, and there’s good reason for that — because there are individuals who are trained to be social workers and victim service specialists. They are the one’s who literally hold the hands of victims of violence and other people in the community who need help to be able to stand back on their feet… so whatever we can do to help you on this, I am committed to doing, because I know the value that these individuals bring,” adds State Rep. Krista Griffith (D-Wilmington).
Office of Management and Budget Director Cerron Cade says while he agrees the positions are important, OMB did not receive any year-over-year case growth data to justify funding the new positions.
“I’m completely open to continuing the conversation throughout this process, and if we can get that information that would justify this level of growth, I think everybody here would probably be supportive,” Cade says.
Later in the hearing, Chief Deputy Attorney General Alex Mackler explained current social workers receive 16 new cases in a month, and that number is growing.
“They have 275 of those cases in a year. That is a completely and totally unsustainable number for any single social worker to have, so we are in desperate need of more of those social workers,” he says.
Mackler adds DOJ currently does not staff any family division social workers below the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, and with the increase in juvenile violence, the department sees a need to fill those gaps.
The Department is also requesting permission to utilize their own $330,900 in appropriated special funds to back pay victim service specialists who did not receive initial pay increases after a series of position reclassifications in 2020.
There was a two-year delay in implementing those raises, and while paralegals and administrators received back pay for the delays, social workers are still waiting.
“We have exhausted every conventional option to deliver them this money — all of our efforts have been rebuffed. It is high time to make that right,” Jennings says.
Cade says once the reclassifications were approved, DOJ requested the payments start from the application date, not the approval date, which caused some discrepancies.
He says the back pay made out to the other employees was not approved by OMB and actually violates existing epilogue language.
Cade says instead, the office offered to provide retention bonuses to the affected social workers, which he says DOJ and the Department of Human Resources agreed to, but he adds there still seems to be concern that the retention bonuses do not provide enough compensation.
DOJ is no longer pursuing the payments from the general fund, but they are instead requesting permission to use their own funds to provide the back pay.
“The fraud division has found the necessary money to compensate the VSS workers, that’s where the $300,000 comes from, but it requires your consent,” Jennings told JFC.
DOJ is also requesting close to $2.5 million to increase senior attorney pay. Currently, deputy attorneys general and supervisors salaries are capped below that of the elected Attorney General, and Jennings hopes to rectify that.
She says this practice is uncommon in most states — highest-level attorneys generally make more than the attorney general.
“It is wrong that professional staff have to wait for a politician to get a raise before they can be fairly compensated,” Jennings says.
Mayor John Carney vowed to address homelessness in his first year in office. He is proposing allowing unhoused people to camp in one of the city’s parks. But all other encampments would be banned.
“As we attempt to provide support for the unhoused here in Wilmington, we have a responsibility on how, on behalf of the residents of neighborhoods, to ensure that Wilmington operates in an orderly and lawful way,” he said in October.
Raquel Cruz said she doesn’t think the mayor’s plan goes far enough.
“The mayor needs to do much, much more than just shuffle the unhoused around rather than try to pursue better outcomes for them,” she said.
Housing advocates argue a ban on sleeping outside criminalizes homelessness. They said Wilmington needs more shelter beds and affordable housing.
Carney said city officials would provide restroom facilities and clean water for Christina Park residents and will explore adding a shower facility there. On-site security is also part of the plan.
The city is also working with the Wilmington Housing Authority and the Ministry of Caring to open a dining hall for the homeless at the WHA site a block away from Christina Park.
The mayor has also argued that Philadelphia’s efforts to clean up Kensington, an area known for an open-air drug market and homeless encampments, is adding to Wilmington’s homeless population looking for shelter and services.
Whether you need to grab some last-minute Thanksgiving ingredients or are planning to indulge in the doorbuster deals on Black Friday, you’ll need to know the store hours of your local grocery stores, malls and retailers.
This year, Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 27, and the annual Black Friday shopping rush falls on Nov. 28.
Order from Instacart:
Here’s which Delaware stores and malls are open during Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
What are Christiana Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?
Christiana Mall near Christiana will be closed for Thanksgiving, but will have special expanded hours on Black Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What are Concord Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?
Concord Mall in Brandywine Hundred is also closing its doors Thanksgiving, but will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Black Friday.
What major retailers are open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?
Before racing off to find Black Friday deals, check when these major retailers are open.
- Target: Target stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
- Walmart: All Walmart stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open the following day at 6 a.m. for Black Friday deals.
- Boscov’s: Boscov’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
- Macy’s: Macy’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
- Best Buy: Best Buy stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
- Kohl’s: Kohl’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
- TJ Maxx: TJ Maxx stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 7 a.m. on Black Friday.
- JCPenney: JCPenney locations will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen Black Friday at 5 a.m.
- Nordstrom: Nordstrom stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
What grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving?
If you’re looking to get supplies for your Thanksgiving dish or you forgot a key ingredient before the big meal, here are Delaware grocery stores’ hours on Thanksgiving.
- Wegmans: Wegmans will close early on Thanksgiving at 4 p.m.
- ShopRite: ShopRite will close early at 4 p.m.
- Acme: Acme markets are open until 4 p.m.
- Giant Food: Giant stores are open until 5 p.m.
- Aldi: Aldi locations will be closed on Thanksgiving.
- Food Lion: Food Lion stores will be open until 3 p.m.
- Costco: Costco is closed on Thanksgiving.
Sophia Voight is a growth and development reporter. Reach her with feedback and story tips at svoight@delawareonline.com.
AARP Delaware recently announced Ted Spickler of Bethany Beach was honored with its 2025 Andrus Award for Community Service, the association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award.
A retired professor, Spickler was recognized for his extraordinary dedication to community service. As an AARP Delaware advocate, Spickler regularly traveled to attend volunteer meetings, committee hearings and legislator meetings, demonstrating his deep commitment to improving the lives of older Delawareans and strengthening the community. As the legislative committee chair of Delaware’s South Coastal AARP Chapter, he keeps the committee and chapter informed about a variety of issues that affect older Delawareans and their families.
Beyond his work with AARP, Spickler is active with Citizens Climate Lobby, advocating for policies to create a healthier environment for future generations.
“Ted embodies the spirit of volunteerism, sharing his skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to support his AARP chapter, our state office and his community,” said Wendell Alfred, AARP Delaware volunteer state president. “His curiosity, dedication and kindness have been a great example for other volunteers.”
Recipients across the nation were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.
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