2025 Home Visiting Retreat
Posted in:Home Visiting Newsletter
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L-R: Dede Hesse (PhD, MPH), Bureau Chief, Center for Family Health Research and Epidemiology; Leah A. Jones, MPA, Section Chief, Family Health Systems Division of Public Health; Crystal Sherman, Chief, Maternal and Child Health Bureau Division of Public Health; Chelsea Manwiller, Social Marketing Coordinator, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Division of Public Health; Emily A. Thompson, MSM, Public Health Treatment Program Administrator Home Visiting Program, Division of Public Health
The 2025 Home Visiting Retreat brought together 165 attendees from across Delaware’s home visiting community — including Home Visitors, Family Support Specialists, DPH supervisors, DPH leadership, and state leaders. Held on November 5 at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort, this year’s theme, “Stronger Systems. Stronger Families,” focused on strengthening collaboration and supporting the well-being of the workforce.
The event featured opening remarks from Emily A. Thompson, Kelly Ensslin, and Steven Blessing, followed by remarks from Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay, who highlighted the impact of home visiting across the state. Attendees also heard keynote presentations from Kaitlin Watts on building strong early childhood systems, Remona Antoine on the role of trust in strengthening families and programs, and closing remarks from Crystal Sherman.
In addition to learning and networking opportunities, participants enjoyed wellness and appreciation activities — including massages, professional headshots, a 360-degree photo booth, and multiple resource vendors offering tools and supports for day-to-day work.
The retreat served as a meaningful opportunity for connection, reflection, and reenergizing the statewide effort to support Delaware families through high-quality home visiting services.
L-R: Chelsea Manwiller, Social Marketing Coordinator, Maternal and Child Health Bureau; Amber D. Shelton, PhD, Director, Office of Early Childhood Intervention Delaware Department of Education; Crystal Sherman, Chief, Maternal and Child Health Bureau Division of Public Health; Claudine Wiant, Executive Director, Prevent Child Abuse Delaware; Zakiya Bakari-Griffin, Chief Program Officer Prevention, Children and Families First; Emily A. Thompson, MSM, Public Health Treatment Program Administrator Home Visiting Program, Division of Public Health; Dede Hesse, PhD, MPH, Bureau Chief, Center for Family Health Research and Epidemiology
L-R: Tracey Johnson, MS Associate Deputy Director, Delaware Division of Public Health; Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay; Steven Blessing, MA, Director, Division of Public Health; Crystal Sherman, Chief, Maternal and Child Health Bureau Division of Public Health; Emily A. Thompson, MSM, Public Health Treatment Program Administrator Home Visiting Program, Division of Public Health; Leah A. Jones, MPA, Section Chief, Family Health Systems Division of Public Health; Tesha S. E. Quail, PhD, LPCMH, Deputy Division Director, Division of Public Health
