Ability Network of Delaware

08/17/2026

A.N.D. is proud to be a member of this dynamic group of leaders from across Delaware!

07/23/2026

We love showing off our members!

Thank you to Rep. Alonna Berry for joining A.N.D. Executive Director, Carolyn Petrak at this beautiful community-based home operated by the Salvation Army, Developmental Disabilities program. Rep. Berry spoke to Salvation Army staff including Residential Director Lisa Green and Assistant Program Director Dinelle Savage about the services provided to adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, the unique needs of the residents as they age or experience acute medical issues and the ongoing need for reimbursement rates that are reflective of the comprehensive cost of serving the Delawareans with complex disabilities.

07/03/2026

Happy Independence Day on behalf of the Ability Network of Delaware!



As we gather with family and friends to celebrate 250 years of our great country, let us appreciate how far we’ve come in the support and care of individuals with disabilities and behavioral health challenges. But never lose site of the road ahead.

07/02/2026

Congratulations Pam!

A.N.D. is looking forward to our continued work together under your leadership!

🎉 Exciting leadership news at Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore!
Following an extensive national search, our Board of Directors has named Pam Reuther as our next President/CEO, effective this September.

A lifelong Delawarean and dedicated Easterseals leader for more than 32 years, Pam has devoted her career to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities, seniors, and caregivers throughout our community. Her passion, vision, and unwavering commitment to our mission have helped shape Easterseals into the organization it is today.

Please join us in congratulating Pam as she begins this exciting new chapter. We look forward to the future under her leadership as we continue building a more inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Read the full announcement: https://bit.ly/447j8CH

06/19/2026

Ability Network of Delaware and member organization, Conexio Care, were honored to welcome Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Christen Linke Young for a tour of one of Conexio's community group homes.

The visit provided an opportunity to highlight the critical role that community-based services play in supporting Delawareans with disabilities and behavioral health challenges. These services depend on the dedication, expertise, and compassion of specialized staff who work every day to help individuals live fulfilling lives in their communities.

We are grateful to Secretary Linke Young for taking the time to meet with A.N.D. and Conexio Care staff, and the individuals who call this house their home. Meaningful conversations like these help strengthen our shared commitment to ensuring that Delawareans have access to the supports and services they need to thrive.

06/09/2026

Supporting Delawareans with disabilities starts in the community. Whether it’s community-based services or the communities we live in, there are opportunities to connect. And for many people community often happens around sports and there’s no better example of that than little league and high school baseball. Especially in North Wilmington.

Through partnership with local high school baseball teams such as the Brandywine High School Bulldogs, the Naamans Little League Challengers teams on are able to enjoy the sport they love, have the supports to need to fully participate and make new friends.

Congratulations to Naamans’ Challenger teams on another great season!

05/22/2026

Another Ability Network of Delaware Direct Support Professionals Advocacy Day in the books!

Thank you to Rep. Kendra Johnson and Senator Nicole Poore for sponsoring HCR 135 acknowledging the historic sacrifices and ongoing contributions of Delaware's Direct Support Professional Workforce.

We can't say it any better than than Rep. Johnson:

"Our DSPs are an essential part of the healthcare workforce, providing care for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities 24/7/365. I want to thank Governor Meyer for seeing their importance, and backing that up with some very important funding, as seen in the FY 2027 Recommended Budget.

There is a significant amount of uncertainty surrounding medicaid-funded services like those offered by some of our community-based providers. Cuts to medicaid, constant changes in work requirements, and scrutiny for Home and Community-based services have caused ripple effects that can be felt throughout Delaware.

Across our state, from Seaford to Wilmington, you’ll find patients in need of DSPs, and DSPs who want to support them. But without funding, they’re barred from providing their essential care to those who desperately need it.

It is so important, now more than ever, that we continue to protect our DSPs and ensure that our future funding efforts include them. We simply can’t afford not to."

05/16/2026

A message from A.N.D. Executive Director Carolyn Petrak:

"Representative Kevin Hensley has been a champion for the Ability Network of Delaware for over a decade. His advocacy in the House and as a member of the Joint Finance Committee to pass the Michael McNesby Act for Full Funding for Adults with Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities was invaluable. His support of legislation to increase access to behavioral health services for Delawareans was unwavering. He is a TWO TIME recipient of the A.N.D. Champion Award, once for his support getting McNesby passed and once as a member of JFC for fully funding McNesby in 2022.

If you are a member of A.N.D. or a family member of someone with a disability you know what he has done for our community. Please join me in thanking Kevin for commitment to our shared missions!

Kevin, thank you for everything! You will be truly missed in Leg Hall. ~ Carolyn"

STATE REP. KEVIN HENSLEY ANNOUNCES HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION AT THE END OF THIS TERM

State Rep. Kevin Hensley, first elected to the Delaware House of Representatives in 2014, today announced that he will not be seeking another term in November.

Citing recent health challenges, Rep. Hensley stated that he has decided to not seek re-election. He will complete the remainder of his current term, which ends in November 2026.

Rep. Hensley said, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of the 9th District. I am deeply grateful for the trust they have placed in me over the years.”

Rep. Hensley represents the 9th District, which includes the Odessa, Townsend, and Port Penn areas. Outside of his legislative duties, Kevin also runs his own small business, serving as an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Eagle. He is also a Founding Member of the MOT Charter School and a Past School Board Member of the Appoquinimink School Board.

Over his 12 years in office, Kevin has been committed to working to improve public education in Delaware. One of his most important accomplishments has been championing legislation that has earmarked millions of dollars in state funding for school safety and security improvements throughout Delaware.

As the father of a child with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), Kevin has also been a tireless champion for nonprofit causes that support members of the IDD community. He was a steadfast advocate for the Michael McNesby Full-Funding for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Act, groundbreaking disability legislation focused on raising wages for front-line workers and ensuring a more stable, sustainable service system. In October 2022, Kevin received the “I/DD Champion Award” from Ability Network of Delaware for his efforts in securing increased state funding to go toward the Direct Support Professional care of individuals with disabilities.

Last month, Rep. Hensley was inducted into the New Castle County Board of Realtors Hall of Fame in recognition of his 30-year real estate career. In 2021, Odessa Fire Company awarded Kevin with an Honorary Membership to their organization for his tireless support of the fire department during his legislative tenure. In 2018, Rep. Hensley received the “Defender of Housing” award from the Home Builders Association of Delaware.

“Serving the people of this district has been the greatest honor of my career. I’ve always tried to make myself accessible, to listen carefully, and to respond when people needed help. Our monthly Constituent Coffees were never just events — they were opportunities to learn directly from the people I was elected to serve,” stated Rep. Hensley.

Kevin serves on the following House Committees: Economic Development/ Banking/Insurance & Commerce; Education; Health & Human Development; Housing; and Veterans Affairs. Rep. Hensley has been appointed to serve on the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) as the representative for the House Minority Caucus. He also serves on the ad-hoc House Small Business Caucus.

Prior to being elected himself, Kevin had the honor of serving as a Legislative Assistant to the late U.S. Senator William V. Roth, where his passion for public service really began.

Kevin has two grown children: Julia and Ryan.

03/09/2026

“Direct support professionals bend over backwards for you. They treat you like family — and that makes all the difference.” – Mark

Direct support professionals and community-based services helped Mark return to the life he wanted, including volunteering with his local fire company. These services are funded by Medicaid—and they are essential. Without them, Delawareans with disabilities risk losing dignity, independence, and opportunity.

Essential—for all of us.

02/28/2026

“When I moved to Harrington, I wanted to work on my goals and try college again. My team responded right away—and that meant everything.” – Matt

With support from Resources for Human Development, Matt earned his associate’s degree from Delaware Tech and built the confidence to chase his dream of becoming a lawyer. Medicaid-funded, community-based mental health services made this possible. Cuts to Medicaid could take away those opportunities for thousands of Delawareans.

Delaware should not balance the budget by cutting essential services that allow people to live with dignity, independence, and connection.

It's essential—for all of us.