Lt. Governor’s Challenge health and wellness nominations open April 1

“Even one person can make a difference in moving us closer to a stronger, healthier, more vibrant Delaware.” With those words, Lt. Gov. Dr. Bethany Hall-Long kicked off the 2021 Lt. Governor’s Challenge on Facebook Live March 15, urging individuals, organizations and institutions to create initiatives that help improve the well-being of Delaware citizens.

“The mission of the Lt. Governor’s Challenge is to improve the quality of life of all Delawareans through policies, systems, and environmental change,” said Hall-Long. “We have honored such exciting, motivating programs and activities in previous years, and we’re looking for Delaware’s next health and wellness leaders that inspire others to make choices that ultimately help elevate the well-being, productivity and prosperity of our state.”

By urging all Delawareans to be change-makers in their communities, challenge organizers hope to inspire new ideas and recognize ongoing programs that support and sustain overall good health in the state. Initiatives may be nominated to receive the Lt. Governor’s Challenge Award in one of four categories: emotional well-being, healthy living, chronic disease management and prevention, and mother and child health.

“Our committee will choose the winners based on whoever is making the biggest health change to Delaware, and whose actions could be replicated to ripple through other communities in our state,” said Hall-Long.

Winners from the 2020 Challenge are:

• Polytech School District’s initiative providing nicotine addiction education, resources and cessation options – rather than discipline and consequences – in classrooms where vaping incidents were most prevalent
• The Delaware Department of Correction, which developed a curriculum to educate staff on the ‘five pillars of wellness’ – mind, purpose, nutrition, interpersonal connection and body
• Christiana Care, awarded for its ‘opt-out program’ connecting inpatient smokers to the Delaware Quitline with a bedside intervention to help them live a smoke-free life
• The Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, which facilitated information sharing and communication among state agencies and organizations to improve the situation on food insecurity
• The Compassionate Schools team from Academia Antonia Alonso, focused on improving emotional well-being by utilizing best practices and initiatives to build a safe environment that nurtured inclusion, respect and acceptance of diversity
• The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and its implementation of mindfulness, exercise tracking and workout programs to create an atmosphere more conducive to physical activity and healthy living at the workplace
• Colonial School District teacher Khayree Bey, for his program teaching students, teachers, parents and community members yoga, conflict resolution, calming strategies and self-awareness.

Nominations for the 2021 Lt. Governor’s Challenge open Thursday, April 1, and run through Friday, May 28. Winners will be recognized in early September at the Lt. Governor’s Challenge Wellness Leadership Award Event.

For more information on participating in the challenge and submitting a nomination, go to ltgovernorschallenge.org.