WILMINGTON - On July 18, 2025, Governor Matt Meyer announced the departure of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Josette Manning. Secretary Manning’s departure is effective October 1, 2025, when she will then join U.S. Senator Chris Coons’ office as State Director.

“On behalf of the State of Delaware, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Secretary Josette Manning for her exemplary leadership at DHSS,” said Governor Meyer. “Over her 25 years of public service, she has been a tireless champion for Delaware families. Under her stewardship, DHSS has achieved groundbreaking progress. Her unwavering commitment to our most vulnerable populations has set a new standard for effective, compassionate governance.”

Secretary Manning is a seasoned Delaware state leader who has worked tirelessly to expand access to healthcare and social services for vulnerable populations, improve service delivery, and create efficiencies at DHSS without compromising quality. Before joining DHSS, Secretary Manning served as Cabinet Secretary for the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families for 7 years. Prior to this, she served as a prosecutor for the Delaware Department of Justice for 16 years, where she held various leadership positions, including Chief County Prosecutor and Director of the Special Victims Unit.

“I am honored to have been selected by Senator Coons to lead his Delaware office and look forward to continuing my career in public service. I am grateful to Governor Meyer for his support and am eager to work with him and the cabinet in my new role,” said Secretary Manning. “Over my 25 years as a state employee, I have been moved and inspired by the hard work, compassion, and dedication of my colleagues and am proud to have been counted among them.”

“Josette Manning has spent over two decades serving the people of Delaware—from the courtroom to the Cabinet,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “I am excited to welcome Josette as my State Director. A native Delawarean and life-long public servant, Josette brings a strong record as a leader and an advocate, and I know she’ll fight to improve the lives of Delawareans. At a time when vital federal investments—from health care and nutrition assistance to education and housing—are facing real threats in Washington, it’s more important than ever to have someone with Josette’s expertise, values, and proven leadership on my team.”

For additional questions or to set up an interview with Governor Matt Meyer please email [email protected].