The State of Delaware became the first officially recognized Trauma-Informed State in the country in 2018 after Governor John Carney signed Executive Order #24, launching a formal statewide commitment to trauma-informed care. This achievement is the result of over a decade of dedication from state agencies, community-based organizations, educators, healthcare leaders, and many others. Since then, Delaware’s Family Services Cabinet Council – a cabinet-level group that coordinates public and private services for Delaware families– and First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney’s Trauma-Informed Delaware initiative have helped guide the state forward.
Social Contract contributed to this movement by facilitating stakeholder engagement, translating insights into actionable strategies, and helping define a shared framework for change. Our team helped shape the report outlining Delaware’s trauma-informed journey, captured key recommendations, and developed a roadmap for what’s next.
Our role in this work aligns with Social Contract’s broader mission: helping governments design and implement systems that are not only effective, but also deeply human-centered. Becoming a trauma-informed state is about more than policy. It’s about culture change, workforce readiness, and ensuring every person, especially those impacted by adversity, feels seen and supported.