Ability Network of Delaware

07/14/2025

Important information below 👇

05/28/2025

FACTS:

* Services for Delawareans with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness haven't received an increase in funding since 2012.

* 70% of services for Delawareans with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness are funded by Medicaid.

* With threats to Medicaid, stagnant funding, and a workforce crisis, the time to act now!

* Read what A.N.D. Executive Director Carolyn Petrak and Rep. Kamela Smith have to say about it! 👇

You may see them at intersections asking for help or in downtown Wilmington talking to themselves. Maybe you see them when you’re driving along DuPont Highway in Dover. You might even cross to the other side of the street out of instinct or look...

05/15/2025

A huge thank you to Rep. Kam Smith and Senator Marie Pinkney for sponsoring HCR 45, which recognized Wednesday, May 14th as Community Mental Health Workforce Advocacy Day.

Ability Network of Delaware, Executive Director Carolyn Petrak was honored to address members of both the House and Senate bringing awareness to the incredible work of A.N.D. community mental health members, RHD, Conexio Care, Horizon House and Elwyn Behavioral Health.

Despite severe financial strain after 13 years of stagnant reimbursement rates, these organizations and the healthcare professionals that work for them have remained dedicated to the care of Delawareans with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness.

04/14/2025

November’s election brought a lot of changes to Delaware including a new administration, new members of the General Assembly and change in our federal delegation. The Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.) and our members wanted to introduce ourselves to all the new faces so over the past few weeks, we held A.N.D. Member Meet and Greets in each of the 3 counties. Each Meet and Greet was hosted by a different member of the association and was attended by leaders from the Meyer administration; Lt. Governor Evans Gay’s office; the Department of Health and Social Services; the General Assembly, and our congressional delegation including Congresswoman Sarah McBride.



Our message to our guests was simple. Community-based services for Delawareans with mental illness, substance use disorders and developmental disabilities are a critical part of the First State’s healthcare system. A.N.D. members serve thousands of our vulnerable family and neighbors, and they employ thousands more. But with outdated reimbursement rates, funding shortages and persistent threats to Medicaid, Delaware risks losing services and jobs.



Thank you to our hosts, Horizon House Delaware, Mosaic in Delaware, and Kent Sussex Industries. And a special thank you to all our guests that came to speak with us including Congresswoman McBride, State Senator Russ Huxtable, Representatives Kendra Johnson, Kamela Smith, Josue Ortega and Mara Gorman.

See yourself? Tag yourself!

02/05/2025

With the support of Easterseals, individuals with disabilities do a top-notch job working to keep multiple state building sparking clean.

These workers earn at least minimum wage and work through an agreement with the state known as ‘set-aside contracts’. Unfortunately, under current contracts, other businesses who don't have a preference for hiring people with disabilities are paid a higher rate by the State for the same scope of work.

Jane Schuler, our Director of Supported Employment advocated today at the Joint Finance Committee on the need for funding to assure these employees can experience the satisfaction of meaningful work and receive a paycheck.

Learn how you can for Easterseals https://bit.ly/4hE2EXi

01/29/2025

My pledge to Delawareans is that we will always keep fighting for you, and ensure your rights are protected — including your rights to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.

My full statement on the chaos caused by the federal funding freeze executive order is below.

As part of our response, my office is launching de.gov/federalfunding, an online form where Delawareans can let us know directly how they would be affected if this funding freeze is allowed to proceed.

Please visit de.gov/federalfunding and share your story today.

06/18/2024

https://abilitynetworkde.org/a-n-d-s-new-executive-director-selected/

Announcement on behalf of Dr. Shavonne Brathwaite,President of the Board of Directors, Ability Network of DelawareOn behalf of myself and the Ability Network of Delaware (A.N.D.) Board of Directors, I am happy to announce that we have chosen Carolyn Petrak as the association’s new Executive Direct...

04/04/2024

ATTENTION DELAWARE DISABILITY COMMUNITY!!!

The next generation of disability advocates are already hard at work and they NEED YOUR HELP!

Help support these amazing young women from Brandywine High School who have made common games we have all grown up playing more accessible for children and adults with disabilities.

Click the link, watch the video of their amazing project and most importantly, VOTE! You can vote daily through this link just by clicking on the "Brandywine High School" square.

Brandywine High School’s STEM team has been named one of 10 National Finalists in the 14th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition! We need your help! Vote for Brandywine High School as they compete nationwide for the “Community Choice” Award. Votes can be submitted once per day. Please spread the word with family, friends, and community members to help Brandywine High School’s STEM team in their journey toward achieving national recognition! Visit https://bit.ly/BHS-Samsung to vote daily until 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 23, 2024.