WHEREAS, behavioral health professionals work each day with more than 140,000 children who attend 250 Delaware public schools in 19 school districts and 23 charter schools; and

WHEREAS, behavioral health professionals strive for excellence in their profession when they know that the community supports them and appreciates their efforts on behalf of our children; and

WHEREAS, the Behavioral Health Professional of the Year Program identifies local representatives who embody the best qualities of all Delaware behavioral health professionals; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year Program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who provide mental health support to students and their families; and

WHEREAS, Counselor Shannon Gronau of Mispillion Elementary School in the Milford School District has been named Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year for 2024; and

WHEREAS, 19 of the other school districts and the Delaware Charter Network have chosen a 2024 District/Charter Behavioral Health Professional of the Year, namely:

Appoquinimink School District: Nurse Laura Davis

Brandywine School District: Counselor Tania Milionis

Caesar Rodney School District: Counselor Charles Brooks Jr.

Cape Henlopen School District: Psychologist Sean Laube

Capital School District: Counselor Jackie Collins

Christina School District: Psychologist Amy Lowe

Colonial School District: Counselor Kahlil Fitzpatrick

Delmar School District: Counselor Kelly Phillips

Delaware Charter School Network: Family Crisis Therapist Lori Jones

Indian River School District: Nurse Britney Lloyd

Lake Forest School District: Family Interventionist Karla M. Jester

New Castle County Vocational Technical School District: Counselor Shannan Beck

POLYTECH School District: Counselor Stacy Greenly

Red Clay Consolidated School District: Psychologist Jessica Kradjel

Seaford School District: Counselor Victoria Pierson

Smyrna School District: Counselor Tiffany Duke

Sussex County Vocational Technical School District: Nurse Lisa Fitler

Woodbridge School District: Counselor Katie Sears

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 152 ^nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the Members do hereby commend Shannon Gronau for the well-deserved designation as 2024 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the entire membership of the Delaware General Assembly does hereby extend heartfelt gratitude to Shannon Gronau, Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year, and to each of the fellow Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year for 2024, for their many contributions to the betterment of education in Delaware.