Milestones

1983

  • First meeting in New Castle County (April)
  • Incorporated as NCCAMI (June)
  • Educational and Support meetings started
  • Sussex County AMI formed

1984

  • Moved into first office

1985

  • NCCAMI and SCAMI merged to form AMID
  • State Monitoring Surveys rate Delaware Mental Health System 4th from the bottom

1986

  • Legislative "Coffees" held in AMID homes
  • 65 AMID members attended Legislative Finance Committee hearings
  • DuPont-financed Video ("When the Music Stops") developed
  • Delaware State Hospital monitoring program begun
  • Housing Initiative started
  • Dr.Fuller Torrey a guest of AMID

1987

  • Employed first Executive Director
  • First (of six) annual local Walk-a-thons
  • AMID became a United Way member
  • Established Synetics Corporation (wholly-owned Housing subsidiary)

1988

  • Moved to Wilmington (4th street office)
  • AMID member Ron Norris elected to NAMI National Board
  • Received first (of 12) HUD 202/811 grants

1989

  • State Monitoring Surveys rate Delaware Mental Health System 11th best in nation ("most improved state")
  • Held first Consumer Art Show
  • Held Candlelight Vigil on Rodney Square

1991

  • Held first Statewide Conference - at Delaware State University
  • Received NAMI's First Sarah Francoeur Award for Housing
  • Developed and opened Woodmont Gardens Apartments (with Community Housing, Inc.)

1993

  • Reorganized to split operational responsibility between Executive Director and Director of Housing

1995

  • Relocated offices to first floor (later expanded)

1998

  • Established endowment fund (with United Way/Delaware Community Foundation)
  • Delaware Mental Health Parity Law signed
  • Delaware CarePlan established
  • Received Eli Lilly Reintegration Award (2nd place)

1999

  • Reorganized again to give operational responsibility for entire organization to Executive Director

2000

  • Established Medical Advisory Board
  • Initiated NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program
  • Received Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Award

2001

  • Acquired contract for Consumer Services Organization which included twocurrent activity centers in Wilmington and Newark

2002

  • Opened Downstate office in Rehoboth Beach
  • Changed name to NAMI Delaware
  • Became sole owners of Woodmont Garden Apartments
  • R. Franz received Philadelphia Eagles "Community Quarterback" Award

2003

  • NAMI Delaware Housing Program featured in NAMI Advocate
  • NAMI Delaware a Pilot site for first nationwide NAMI Walks
  • Purchased and moved into self-standing office building

2004

  • Opened Kent County office in Dover
  • Initiated Visions for Tomorrow program for caregivers of Children and Adolescents
  • Initiated African-American Family to Family Program
  • NAMI-C.A.R.E and Peer-to-Peer implemented downstate

2005

  • Senator Patricia Blevins receiving the Outstanding Delaware State Senator award from NAMI Delaware
  • Representative Pamela Maier receives the Outstanding Delaware State Representative award from NAMI Delaware

2006

  • Bebe Moore speaks to NAMI Delaware

2008

  • NAMI Volunteer Appreciation Dinner held in Dover
  • Ben Shute 25th Anniversary concert held at The Grand

2009

  • Media Person of the Year. New Directions, NAMI Board Member Chuck Tarver
  • NAMI Benefit Concert held at the Music School of Delaware

2010

  • Pat McDowell was recognized by the Delaware HIV Consortium for her work on HIV/AIDS and mental health

2011

  • NAMI Delaware introduced NAMI Basics. A six session education program for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness

2012

  • The 1st Hope is Best Concert Benefiting NAMI Delaware was held