Press Releases

 

(Left: Blunt Rochester listens to a presentation about the new kiosks

Right: Blunt Rochester participates in a demonstration using the new kiosk at the Laurel Public Library)

LAUREL, Del. — Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) joined Dr. Annie Norman, Delaware State Librarian, community partners, and local elected officials at the Laurel Library in Laurel, DE to announce $275,000 in Community Project Funding for Delaware Libraries. The funding will go towards implementing 8 additional telehealth kiosks in libraries throughout Delaware including in Wilmington, Newark, Elsmere, Woodlawn, Bear, Dover, Milford, Georgetown, Lewes, and Laurel. The kiosks help Delawareans access telehealth medicine, employment assistance, and legal services.

“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has become a critical component of healthcare for communities across the country to get the care they need, including here in Delaware,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “With the $275,000 in Community Project Funding, Delaware Libraries will be able to secure additional telehealth kiosks for libraries across the state to meet community needs - from telemedicine to employment assistance to legal services. I’m proud to have secured this Community Project Funding to expand the program and make these services more accessible to Delawareans, and look forward to its implementation throughout libraries across the state.”

The $275,000 in Community Project Funding for Delaware Libraries will be used to provide telehealth access for rural and underserved communities across Delaware. Delaware libraries are a common space for the most underserved in the community including people experiencing homelessness, mental illness, veterans, immigrants, and the elderly. To help meet community needs, Delaware Libraries, in conjunction with 18 public libraries, intends to expand a statewide initiative that provides technology access through private-use kiosks designed to enhance remote access to health and human services. The project is currently in its pilot phase at three libraries: Seaford, Laurel and Milford. Each library has one kiosk which is equipped with an iPad and operated by trained staff to assist with tech issues, scheduling, and directing patrons to other resources if their needs are more serious. As it relates to telehealth, patrons can connect with existing providers via video conferencing, or work with social workers to find a new provider. The initial focus of the pilot has been on behavioral health, employment assistance, and legal services.

This funding was a part of a robust, bipartisan, year-long process in which Blunt Rochester’s office received over 150 applications for funding. Each House Member was permitted to submit only 10 applications to the House Committee on Appropriations for consideration. Blunt Rochester was able to ensure that 8 applications made it into the final appropriations package, including Tidalhealth Nanticoke and Delaware Division of Public Libraries. 

In March, Blunt Rochester voted to fund nearly $100 million in Delaware projects, $23,662,500 of which she previously secured for Delaware through the Community Project Funding process. This funding, included in the appropriations government funding package, responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties.

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