Milford Wellness Village Anchors $1.25M Federal Grant for Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
Key Insights
A $1.25 million federal grant from the Administration for Community Living (search) positions Milford Wellness Village (search) as a hub for chronic-disease self-management education across Delaware.
Education Health & Research International (search) (EHRI) leads the initiative, offering no-cost, six-week workshops targeting individuals with ongoing medical conditions, anxiety (search), depression (search), PTSD, and caregiver stress.
The program emphasizes prevention and self-management over direct clinical treatment, aiming to reduce emergency care utilization and long-term institutional support.
A $1.25 million federal grant is positioning the Milford Wellness Village (search) as a central hub for expanded chronic-disease self-management and mental health education services across Delaware. Education Health & Research International (search) (EHRI), headquartered at the Wellness Village, received the funding through the Administration for Community Living (search), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (search), and is leading program design and implementation.
"The project directly addresses combined health factors that lower quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities, such as increased healthcare costs and a strain on caregivers and health systems," said Rabbi Halberstam, EHRI's chief strategy officer.
Program Structure and Focus
The initiative prioritizes individuals dealing with anxiety (search), depression (search), post-traumatic stress disorder (search) (PTSD), and stress tied to caregiving, grief, financial hardship, or new diagnoses. Rather than providing direct clinical treatment, the program emphasizes education and self-management through nationally recognized workshops.
Workshop components include sessions on stress, grief, and anxiety (search); tools for managing chronic illness alongside mental health challenges; support resources for caregivers; and connections to local healthcare and social services. Officials say the goal is to help participants stabilize earlier, reducing the need for emergency care or long-term institutional support.
Enrollment and Course Details
EHRI has announced the first no-cost, once-a-week, six-part course schedule. Three cohorts are now open for enrollment: Tuesdays from May 19 to June 23 (5:30–8 p.m.), Thursdays from May 19 to June 23 (9–11:30 a.m.), and Thursdays from June 4 to July 9 (5:30–8 p.m.). Participants are encouraged to bring a loved one or friend.
Registration is available by contacting Mona Boyer, Milford Wellness Village (search) Education Coordinator, at 302-300-5563 or mboyer@milfordwellnessvillage.com, or online.
Statewide Reach Through Community Partnerships
While anchored in Milford, the program extends across Delaware through a network of partner organizations, including the Mental Health Association in Delaware (search), Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore (search), Jewish Family Services, La Red Health Center (search), WeCare Services, PACE Your Life, Beebe Healthcare (search), and the Modern Maturity Center. These partners will deliver programming in community settings, expanding access to populations that may not engage with traditional healthcare systems.
A Model for Integrated, Community-Based Care
The initiative reflects a broader shift in healthcare toward community-based models that integrate medical, behavioral health, and social services in one location. By linking federal funding, a lead nonprofit organization, and a centralized health campus, the program positions Milford as a model for integrated, community-based care focused on prevention, education, and long-term independence. The effort comes as Delaware faces increasing demand for mental health services and caregiver support, particularly among its aging population.