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DE BEST Mission Statement

To serve the state of Delaware by establishing, implementing, and sustaining volunteers to strengthen DSAMH initiatives, improve community resilience and support appropriate mental health response to disaster.

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History of Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) Movement

The national MRC movement began after September 11, 2001 when there was difficulty managing the thousands of spontaneous volunteers as Americans across the country asked “What can I do to help?” The answer was developed in the months following 9/11 and the MRC concept was born. It exists to pre-identify, pre-train and pre-credential volunteers for national emergencies and public health special events.

The national MRC program partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizen Corp and is headquartered in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

History of DMRC

The DMRC was started in 2006. It is housed in the Delaware Division of Public Health. It serves to supplement existing medical and public health staff. In 2013, three county-based units were established in the state, including New Castle, Sussex, and Kent.

The DMRC is sponsored by the Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Section, which has contracted with the University of Delaware School of Nursing to coordinate the three county units: New Castle, Kent, and Sussex.

Click here to view the DMRC Brochure.