DHSS Secretary Manning to depart

Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Josette Manning will be leaving her position with the state Oct. 1. She plans to take a job as state director for U.S. Sen. Chris Coons. 

“On behalf of the State of Delaware, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Secretary Josette Manning for her exemplary leadership at DHSS,” said Gov. Matt Meyer in a press release. “Over her 25 years of public service, she has been a tireless champion for Delaware families. Under her stewardship, DHSS has achieved groundbreaking progress. Her unwavering commitment to our most vulnerable populations has set a new standard for effective, compassionate governance.” 

Manning served as DHSS secretary under former Gov. John Carney and was nominated by Meyer to continue in that post for his administration. Before becoming DHSS secretary, Manning served as secretary for the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families for seven years. Prior to that, she served as a prosecutor for the Delaware Department of Justice, including leadership positions as chief county prosecutor and director of the Special Victims Unit. 

“I am honored to have been selected by Sen. Coons to lead his Delaware office and look forward to continuing my career in public service. I am grateful to Gov. Meyer for his support and am eager to work with him and the cabinet in my new role,” said Manning.