ICYMI: Blunt Rochester Cuts Ribbon on Federal Projects that Invest in Delaware’s Future Generations

In case you missed it, on Monday, June 9, U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) celebrated two major federal investments to benefit young people in Kent and Sussex Counties.

Alongside Senator Chris Coons, U.S. Representative Sarah McBride (both D-Del.), Governor Matt Meyer, Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay, former U.S. Senator Tom Carper, and Delaware State University President Dr. Tony Allen, Blunt Rochester celebrated the grand opening of the Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC) and Early Childhood Lab School at Delaware State University. Delaware State University received approximately $15 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act for these facilities, legislation that Blunt Rochester championed.

She then joined Senator Coons, Representative McBride, Governor Meyer, and West End Neighborhood House to cut the ribbon on Life Lines South. West End Neighborhood House received $1.09 million in federal funding for the project that was supported by Blunt Rochester.

Read more about the impact of these federal investments below or in the respective outlets.

The Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC) and Early Childhood Lab School at Delaware State University

WDEL: Early Childhood Innovation Center opens at Delaware State University

Author: WDEL News

June 10, 2025

[…] "The opening of the Early Childhood Innovation Center at Delaware State University is a big deal for our university, and for the future of early childhood education in our state," Delaware State University President Dr. Tony Allen said. "The ECIC, a significant partnership with the state and federal governments, is dedicated to training the next generation of early childhood educators and driving policy action that will make early childhood education more affordable and accessible for all Delaware families. We believe the ECIC should serve as a national model to prioritize investment and innovation in early childhood education. I want to thank Governor Meyer, former Governor Carney, Senators Carper, Coons and Blunt Rochester, Congresswoman McBride, and all our state and federal partners who advocated for this important center. I also want to recognize Dr. Shelley Rouser and Dr. Kim Krzanowski, who are leading the ECIC at DSU. Now let's get to work." […]

Delaware Business Times: New facility opens at Early Childhood Innovation Center at DSU

Author: Jennifer Antonik

June 10, 2025

[…] U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester encouraged the group during the ribbon cutting by saying, "People are skipping meals or cutting work hours just to afford care. But what you are doing here at DSU can be a national model, not just in quantity, but in quality." […]

Delaware Public Media: Officials gather to open Early Childhood Innovation Center

Author: Martin Matheny

June 9, 2025

[…] Meyer also sees the center's potential as a blueprint for other states to follow, a point echoed by DSU President Tony Allen and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester.

"Delaware State University, as Secretary [of Education Cindy] Marten said to me, is doing something here that can become a national model that can be scaled and grown," Blunt Rochester said. […]

Delaware State News: Delaware State University celebrates grand opening of Early Childhood Innovation Center

Author: Kaitlyn Cupelli

June 9, 2025

[…] Among those in attendance at the ceremony were U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester; U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride; former U.S. Sen. Tom Carper; Gov. Matt Meyer; Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay; and university president Dr. Tony Allen. […]

West End Neighborhood House's Life Lines South

Delaware Online: Needed housing for young adults leaving foster care or without homes opens in Sussex County

Author: Esteban Parra

June 11, 2025

[…] West End, a nonprofit organization based in Wilmington, hosted a grand opening ceremony on June 9 that drew more than 150 people, including Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer, U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester and Rep. Sarah McBride. […]

WDEL: New housing, services available for youth who are homeless or aging out of foster care

Author: Mark Fowser

June 10, 2025

[…] "The opening of Life Lines South in Sussex County fills a vital and urgent need for our community," Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester said. "The Life Lines program has continued to be a safe haven for youth in need of a place to call home, and the opening of another supportive housing program in Greenwood builds on the incredible work they've done across the state of Delaware. I will always support housing in our state, especially for our young people in need, and I thank everyone at West End Neighborhood House for their partnership in making this vision into reality." […]

Delaware State News: Life Lines South facility in Harrington to house homeless, ex-foster youths

Author: Brian Trompeter

June 10, 2025

[…] Life Lines South benefited from a $1.09 million federal grant secured by Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester.

[…] Life Lines South "will provide the tools for young people to be able to thrive, live and have that field of dreams," said Sen. Blunt Rochester. "We know that West End is the one that answers the call. You're providing a safe place that young people can call home." […]

Coast TV: Life Lines South opens as Sussex County's only supportive housing for homeless, former foster youth

Author: Ana Sofia Román

June 9, 2025

[…] Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, U.S. Representative Sarah McBride, U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester and Chris Coons attended the opening ceremony. […]

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Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the United States Senate where she serves on the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.