Co-Chairs
Nancy Wyman, Co-Chair
Lieutenant Governor, State of Connecticut
Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman was elected to serve her second term as Connecticut’s 108th Lieutenant Governor. She began a career in public service more than 30 years ago when she successfully sought a seat on the Tolland Board of Education.
In 1994, she was the first woman ever elected State Comptroller. For 16 years, she advocated on behalf of taxpayers for fiscal responsibility and accountability.
One of her highest priorities is the welfare of Connecticut’s military and veterans. In 2007, she spearheaded the effort to establish Connecticut’s Wall of Honor, a tribute at the State Capitol that honors the military men and women who lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq. She chairs the Rocky Hill Veterans Home advisory group and works closely with the Connecticut National Guard to support service members and their families.
Lt. Governor Wyman is a longtime supporter of the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, and in 2013 was named to the school’s Board of Directors. She is prominent in efforts to raise funds for breast cancer research, has been closely involved with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the National Kidney Foundation and the American Heart Association.
Lt. Governor Wyman and her husband, Michael, live in Tolland, along with their two daughters and their husbands, Stacey and Steve Papa and Meryl and Bill Baldwin, and grandchildren Kyle, Taylor, Lindsey, Max and Sydney.
Linda Goodman
Acting Commissioner, Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
Linda Goodman has worked for the State of Connecticut since 1972 in a variety of positions including directing the Department of Developmental Services early intervention program, strategic planning, program development, educational administration, and staff training. She served as Director for the Birth to Three System at DDS from July, 1996 until she joined the OEC in 2013.
Since joining the OEC as Deputy Director, Linda coordinated the work of the OEC’s Divisions of Early Care and Education, Family Support, and Licensing.
As Acting Commissioner, she has added oversight of the Division of Quality Improvement as well as the Legal and Fiscal Offices.
Linda received her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing from Miami University, her Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Illinois and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Hartford. She is a licensed speech pathologist and is also certified as a school administrator and superintendent.
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State Agency Membership
Roderick L. Bremby
Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Social Services
Roderick L. Bremby is serving in his second term as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), following re-appointment in early 2015 by Governor Dannel P. Malloy. Commissioner Bremby is responsible for administering a wide range of health and human services to about 950,000 Connecticut residents of all ages.
In the area of early childhood, the Commissioner has helped lead the growing discussion about the role of ‘adverse childhood experiences,’ or ACEs, in affecting the physical and mental health of adults. He was instrumental in bringing the Positive Parenting Program to Connecticut, and emphasizing a focus on ACEs in planning service innovations. Mr. Bremby is a strong proponent of the ‘two-generation’ approach in addressing the service needs of children and parents together.
He is a member of several executive panels in state government, including the Governor’s Health Care Cabinet, Access Health CT Board of Directors, Health Technology Work Group, Basic Health Plan Work Group, Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, and Interagency Council for Ending the Achievement Gap.
Commissioner Bremby holds a bachelor of arts degree in communication studies and psychology, and a master of public administration degree, both from the University of Kansas. He has received numerous awards, including 2011 Distinguished Achievement Award from the national Sierra Club.
Married and the father of four children, Mr. Bremby resides in Glastonbury.
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Ellen E. Cohn
Deputy Commissioner, Connecticut State Department of Education
Ellen E. Cohn is the Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Education. She provides leadership to the Academic, Turnaround, and Talent Offices of the department. She is actively engaged in standards and assessment implementation, professional development for educators, the K-3 literacy initiative, and multi-tiered system of supports, called Scientific Research Based Intervention (SRBI). In addition, Ellen currently leads the Turnaround Office and oversees the department’s turnaround efforts in thirty Alliance Districts, thirteen Priority School Districts, and twenty Commissioner Network Schools. She has worked in the field of education for 20+ years. Previously, she served at the state level as the Interim Chief Academic Officer and the Academic Division Director. Ellen has served at the local level as an assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, a middle school administrator, a director of a special education program, and as a consultant in a regional education service center (RESC) providing professional development and technical assistance to school districts. She is the author of “Response to Intervention: A Planning and Implementation Guide for School Practitioners” published in 2008. Her background is in special education/related services and she is a licensed clinical social worker and a former pediatric nurse.
Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D.
Commissioner, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Dr. Delphin-Rittmon currently serves as Commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, where she also previously held the titles of Deputy Commissioner, Senior Policy Advisor and Director of the department’s Office of Multicultural Healthcare Equity.
“Dr. Delphin-Rittmon has a significant amount of professional experience concerning psychiatric and substance use conditions, receiving national recognition for advancing policy development in these areas.
In May 2014, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon completed a two-year White House appointment working as a Senior Advisor to the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. While at SAMHSA, she worked on a range of policy initiatives addressing behavioral health equity, workforce development, and healthcare reform.
Dr. Delphin-Rittmon has served as an Assistant Professor with the Yale School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. In this role, her professional and research interests have included system-level strategic planning and policy development geared towards eliminating health disparities and promoting recovery oriented care; and individual, organizational, and system level cultural competence including training, program design and evaluation.
She received her B.A. in Social Science from Hofstra University, her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical community psychology at Yale University.
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“Dr. Delphin-Rittmon has a significant amount of professional experience concerning psychiatric and substance use conditions, receiving national recognition for advancing policy development in these areas.
In May 2014, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon completed a two-year White House appointment working as a Senior Advisor to the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. While at SAMHSA, she worked on a range of policy initiatives addressing behavioral health equity, workforce development, and healthcare reform.
Dr. Delphin-Rittmon has served as an Assistant Professor with the Yale School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. In this role, her professional and research interests have included system-level strategic planning and policy development geared towards eliminating health disparities and promoting recovery oriented care; and individual, organizational, and system level cultural competence including training, program design and evaluation.
She received her B.A. in Social Science from Hofstra University, her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical community psychology at Yale University.
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Harriet Feldlaufer
Division Director, Division Early Care and Education, Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
Harriet Feldlaufer serves as the Director of the Division of Early Care and Education at the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. The Division is charged with ensuring all young children in Connecticut have the opportunity to be cared for and educated in an environment and by staff who provide developmentally appropriate experiences that promote their optimal health and physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
The Division is made up of four units: Workforce Development, Program Improvement and Support, Standards, Instruction and Assessment, and Grants and Subsidies. Ms. Feldlaufer also serves as the State Administrator for the federal Child Care and Development Fund which oversees the Care4Kids Subsidy Program. Before coming to the Office of Early Childhood, Ms. Feldlaufer was at the Connecticut State Department of Education for 25 years and worked in the areas of professional development, early childhood education, family involvement and school improvement.
Harriet Feldlaufer has earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in early childhood education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Masters of Arts degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Michigan.
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The Division is made up of four units: Workforce Development, Program Improvement and Support, Standards, Instruction and Assessment, and Grants and Subsidies. Ms. Feldlaufer also serves as the State Administrator for the federal Child Care and Development Fund which oversees the Care4Kids Subsidy Program. Before coming to the Office of Early Childhood, Ms. Feldlaufer was at the Connecticut State Department of Education for 25 years and worked in the areas of professional development, early childhood education, family involvement and school improvement.
Harriet Feldlaufer has earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in early childhood education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Masters of Arts degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Michigan.
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Leah Grenier
Principal Budget Specialist, Office of Policy and Management
Leah Grenier has been a budget analyst in the Office of Policy and Management’s Budget and Financial Management Division for over 11 years. As budget analyst for the division’s elementary and secondary education area, Mrs. Grenier is responsible for budgeting, policies and fiscal planning for the state Department of Education. Prior responsibilities include the Teachers’ Retirement Board and collective bargaining. Mrs. Grenier’s duties include representing the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management on a number of education task forces and committees. She received her Masters in Economics from the University of Connecticut.
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Steven Hernandez, Esq.
Executive Director for the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors
Steven Hernandez, Esq. is the executive director for the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors. Mr. Hernández previously served the CT state legislature as director of public policy and research for the Connecticut Commission on Children. Prior to joining the Commission, Mr. Hernandez served seven years as legislative and budget director in the office of Washington, D.C., Councilmember Jim Graham. Mr. Hernández served as a clerk to two judges in the District’s Court of Appeals and as a consultant to the Washington law firm Baker & Miller, PLLC. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Bennington College in Vermont in 1995 and a juris doctor degree from the Washington College of Law at American University.
Joette Katz
Commissioner, Department of Children and Families
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Joette Katz is serving in her second term as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, following re-appointment by Governor Dannel P. Malloy and confirmation by the House of Representatives.
Before her appointment, Commissioner Katz served on the Connecticut Supreme Court Justice since 1992. She also served as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and administrative judge for the state appellate system, a position she also held from 1994-2000. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Justice Katz served as chief of legal services for the Office of the Chief Public Defender from 1983 to 1989. She served as an assistant public defender from 1978 to 1983. Before that, Justice Katz was an associate at Winnick Vine and Welch in Shelton. She received a bachelor of arts degree, graduating cum laude, in 1974 from Brandeis University and her law degree, graduating cum laude, from the University of Connecticut Law School in 1977. In addition to fulfilling her responsibilities as a judge, she served as a member of the Criminal Practice Commission, the CBA Attorney Trust Account Task Force, the Public Service and Trust Commission, the chair of the Client Security Fund, and is a member of the American Law Institute (participating in its Model Penal Code Sentencing Project). In the past, she was a member of the Public Defender Commission, the Law Revision Commission, the Fairfield County branch of the American Inns of Court, as well as the chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules, and the chairperson of the Code of Evidence Oversight Committee. She has taught at all three of the state’s law schools and is an associate fellow of Trumbull College at Yale University. Justice Katz has received many awards and honors as well as an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from Quinnipiac University School of Law. She has had the great fortune to be able to mentor children in foster care and to do Katrina relief work and post-tsunami relief work in Sri Lanka. Commissioner Katz lives in Fairfield and is married to Dr. Philip Rubin, CEO of Haskins Laboratories in New Haven, and has two adult children, Jason Rubin and Samantha Katz. E-mail Commissioner Katz |
Evonne M. Klein
Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Housing
Appointed by Governor Dannel P. Malloy in 2013, Evonne M. Klein is the first Commissioner of the newly created Connecticut Department of Housing, the lead state agency on housing matters. The department provides a wide array of funding programs and services aimed at ending homelessness, increasing the supply of affordable housing, and creating new homeownership opportunities for Connecticut residents.
Under her leadership the department has expanded its development as well as individual and family support programs and dramatically increased the state’s investment in affordable housing. Together, with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the department has invested almost One Billion Dollars to create or rehabilitate affordable housing units since 2011. Klein and her staff continue to work closely with municipalities, developers, and housing authorities across the state to change the development culture and to expand access to local housing choices.
The department has been recognized as a national leader for its efforts to end homelessness. Working as an interagency collaborative and with local, state, and federal partners, the department committed to the Zero: 2016 initiative to end homelessness amongst veterans by the end of 2015 and chronic homelessness by 2016.
Prior to her appointment as Commissioner of Housing, Klein served from 2001 to 2009 on the Board of Selectmen in the town of Darien, including three terms as First Selectman. During her tenure she also served as Vice Chair of the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization and as Co-Vice Chair on the Alliance for Sensible Airspace Planning.
A strong advocate for housing and transit oriented development, Klein spearheaded the appointment of the Darien Affordable Housing Advisory Commission whose work culminated in a Final Report to the Board of Selectmen. She successfully led the effort to develop Darien’s first-ever Affordable Housing Plan and supported zoning regulations that increased the stock of affordable housing in the Town of Darien. It was under Klein’s leadership, and with her support, that The Cottage at Darien was built to service those with mental and physical disabilities.
Holding true to her commitment to revitalize downtown Darien, Klein spearheaded the formation of Darien Revitalization, Inc., an all-volunteer committee comprised of business owners and residents that privately raised over $100,000, gained acceptance into the Connecticut Main Street program, and brought new zoning regulations and new businesses and restaurants into downtown Darien, making it a shopping and dining destination.
Klein is a graduate of Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, receiving a Masters in Corporate and Political Communications as well as her Bachelor’s degree. She also completed coursework in Economics and Comparative Government at Oxford University, the London School of Economics, and the University of London.
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Under her leadership the department has expanded its development as well as individual and family support programs and dramatically increased the state’s investment in affordable housing. Together, with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the department has invested almost One Billion Dollars to create or rehabilitate affordable housing units since 2011. Klein and her staff continue to work closely with municipalities, developers, and housing authorities across the state to change the development culture and to expand access to local housing choices.
The department has been recognized as a national leader for its efforts to end homelessness. Working as an interagency collaborative and with local, state, and federal partners, the department committed to the Zero: 2016 initiative to end homelessness amongst veterans by the end of 2015 and chronic homelessness by 2016.
Prior to her appointment as Commissioner of Housing, Klein served from 2001 to 2009 on the Board of Selectmen in the town of Darien, including three terms as First Selectman. During her tenure she also served as Vice Chair of the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization and as Co-Vice Chair on the Alliance for Sensible Airspace Planning.
A strong advocate for housing and transit oriented development, Klein spearheaded the appointment of the Darien Affordable Housing Advisory Commission whose work culminated in a Final Report to the Board of Selectmen. She successfully led the effort to develop Darien’s first-ever Affordable Housing Plan and supported zoning regulations that increased the stock of affordable housing in the Town of Darien. It was under Klein’s leadership, and with her support, that The Cottage at Darien was built to service those with mental and physical disabilities.
Holding true to her commitment to revitalize downtown Darien, Klein spearheaded the formation of Darien Revitalization, Inc., an all-volunteer committee comprised of business owners and residents that privately raised over $100,000, gained acceptance into the Connecticut Main Street program, and brought new zoning regulations and new businesses and restaurants into downtown Darien, making it a shopping and dining destination.
Klein is a graduate of Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, receiving a Masters in Corporate and Political Communications as well as her Bachelor’s degree. She also completed coursework in Economics and Comparative Government at Oxford University, the London School of Economics, and the University of London.
E-mail Commissioner Klein
Morna A. Murray, J.D.
Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Developmental Services
Morna Murray is serving her first term as the Commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services. Commissioner Murray previously served as the President and CEO of the Connecticut Community Providers Association (CCPA), a state-wide trade association for community-based health and human service providers. Commissioner Murray is an attorney with an extensive background in state and federal public policy. She previously served as Senior Counsel to Senator Robert Carey, Jr. (D-PA); Vice President of First Focus, a national children’s policy organization, and Director of Youth Development for the Children’s Defense Fund. Commissioner Murray is a graduate of George Washington University National Law Center. She lives in Glastonbury and has two grown children.
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Joan Parris, M.A.
Director of Early Childhood Community Education, Norwalk Community College
Representative from Board of Regents for Higher Education
Joan is the Director of Early Childhood Community Education at Norwalk Community College. In her role she is responsible to oversee program grants, the promotion of Early Childhood at area high schools, assists in the development of program curricula and articulation agreements with civic organizations, high schools or other institutions and is also responsible for providing professional development opportunities and follow-up to those working in the ECE field. She has been the Director of the Early Childhood program at NCC and is responsible for leading the program through the NAEYC Academic Program Accreditation process. Joan has had prior administrative experience working in the Early Childhood field as a Training and Technical Assistance Specialist for the Federal Head Start program, a School Readiness Coordinator in the city of Bridgeport and an Assistant Director at NEON Head Start. Joan has worked in education for many years working as an educator of both young children and adults. Joan has a Masters of Arts in Teaching form Sacred Heart University and a Bachelors of Science from Framingham State College. Joan resides in Stamford with her husband and Airedale, Sabrina.
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Raul Pino, M.D., M.P.H.
Commissioner, Connecticut Department Public Health
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In December 2015, Dr. Raul Pino was appointed Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) by Governor Dannel P. Malloy. Previously he served as Deputy Commissioner under the leadership of DPH Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen. He brings considerable public health, administrative, and community health expertise acquired over nearly two decades of experience in state, municipal and community public health agencies.
Prior to his appointment as DPH Deputy Commissioner in June 2015, Dr. Pino served the City of Hartford as Director and Assistant Director of the city's Department of Health & Human Services. In these positions, he managed the department's budget and oversaw labor relations, public health preparedness, code enforcement and the department's management team. Previously he was an epidemiologist for DPH’s Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Program, and worked at the Institute for Community Research, Hispanic Health Council and Hartford Hospital. He is a member of the American Public Health Association and National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse. Dr. Pino graduated from the University of Havana with a Doctorate in Medicine and the UCONN School of Medicine with Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. |
Maria Synodi
Coordinator for Early Childhood Special Education, Connecticut State Department of Education
Maria Synodi has served young children with and without disabilities, their families and the early childhood community in multiple roles for over 38 years. She is currently employed by the Connecticut State Department of Education and primarily serves as the Coordinator for Early Childhood Special Education under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 619). Current responsibilities include ensuring inclusive high quality developmentally appropriate programs and services for children ages three through five with disabilities; monitoring and ensuring positive outcomes for young children receiving special education; ensuring seamless transition to and from the preschool grade; supporting in-service and pre-service training to ensure competent and skilled personnel; disbursement and monitoring of federal funds; and a host of other initiatives and activities. Department responsibilities have included school improvement, grants management, professional development, certification, mediations, and other tasks and activities. Maria works intimately with other national and state agency partners and federal and state-funded programs as well as the public and private sector to ensure that young children with disabilities are afforded equal access, equal opportunity and the equal benefit of any and all programs serving typically developing children and their families. She has been with the Connecticut State Department of Education for 21 years. Prior experiences include working at the Connecticut State Department of Children and Families (DCF); as an administrator and direct service in clinics, homes, hospitals and in other sectors with infants, toddlers, young children and their families.
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Louis B. Tallarita
Education Consultant, Connecticut State Department of Education
Louis Tallarita is an Education Consultant with the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). He currently serves as both the State Coordinator to the Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Program and program manager of the Connecticut Family Resource Center Program. Prior to his employment with the CSDE, Louis also administered programs and services with the Connecticut Department of Social Services.
Louis received his graduate degree in Social Work at the University of Connecticut, with a major concentration in administration and public policy. This association with UCONN SSW has continued through teaching as an Adjunct Professor. In addition to presenting at numerous state and national conferences on educating children and youth experiencing homelessness, Louis has co-authorized and published journal articles related to the implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act.
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Dianna R. Wentzell
Commissioner, Connecticut State Department of Education
Dr. Dianna R. Wentzell has been an educator in Connecticut for over 25 years. She was appointed as Commissioner of Education by Governor Dannel P. Malloy in April 2015, after serving as Interim Commissioner since January 2015. Dr. Wentzell began her career in education as a social studies teacher and later as a teacher for gifted students. Before her appointment as interim commissioner, she served as the State Department of Education’s chief academic officer, overseeing the Bureau of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and the Standards Implementation Division. Before joining the Department, Dr. Wentzell served as assistant superintendent of schools in Hartford, and in district leadership positions with a focus on curriculum, instruction, and assessment in both South Windsor and the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) magnet schools. Dr. Wentzell has a bachelor’s degree in Russian studies from Mount Holyoke College, a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Massachusetts–Amherst, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Hartford.
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Grace Whitney, Ph.D., MPA, IMH-E (IV)
Director, Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office
State Director of Head Start State Collaboration Office
Grace Whitney has served as director of Connecticut’s Head Start State Collaboration Office since it was established in 1996, connecting the federal-to-locally funded Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Connecticut with state systems that support young children and their families and sharing the lessons learned from Head Start, our nation’s 45-year-old child development laboratory, with state and community leaders. Last year in Connecticut, Head Start served over 8,000 children ages birth to five and pregnant women. She’s held several faculty appointments and still occasionally teaches courses in developmental psychology, statistics, and public policy. She’s worked in administrative and clinical positions in early childhood, community mental health and human services and for several summers served on aide teams in Romanian orphanages. Dr. Whitney’s degrees are in child and human development, family studies, and public administration. She’s published on varied topics related to her work.
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Community Members
Cathy Battista, President, Family Resource Center Alliance
Representative from Family Resource Centers
Cathy Battista is President of the CT Family Resource Center Alliance presiding over the 62 state-wide Family Resource Centers. She is also the Director of two Family Resource Centers in Meriden. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and a Master’s Degree in Administration, Supervision, and Curriculum in Education and is cross-endorsed in ESL, certified in Adult Education and holds Parents As Teachers Supervisor’s Certification. She taught middle school Spanish in Southington, was the acting director of Meriden Business and Learning Center, a non-profit business/education organization. She designed and implemented a training program for school paraprofessionals, and a job-training program for the CT Department of Labor.
Ms. Battista is a member of the Meriden Early Childhood Council, the CT Early Childhood Alliance, the CT After School Network, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, CT Commission on Children-Prevention Task Force, Meriden School Readiness Council, Meriden’s Linear Trail Advisory Committee, Meriden’s Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, and the Meriden/Wallingford Substance Abuse Council. She has presented at several conferences on Early Childhood issues. Cathy also works closely with the Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy at Yale and facilitated the pilot of Yale’s innovative Mutt-i-grees Curriculum - a social/emotional program for children. Presently, she is collaborating with Yale University's Prevention Research Center in applying for a federal grant that addresses childhood obesity.
She is involved in many school and community activities and collaborates extensively with local, state and federal agencies. Her efforts to advocate for children and families are on-going and extensive. She has 3 grown children and resides in Meriden with her husband.
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Patricia Bryant-Beausoleil, Director, Putnam Family Resource Center
Representative from a Local Education Agency
Patricia Bryant-Beausoleil is currently employed by the Putnam Public Schools as the Early
Childhood Coordinator and Director of the Putnam Family Resource Center. She has been in Putnam for over twelve years and prior to that was the Family Resource Center Director in a neighboring town. She holds a bachelors Degree in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Masters degree in Education from Sacred Heart University. She is a certified PEP (People Empowering People) trainer and Raising Readers Program facilitator.
Ms. Beausoleil is an executive member of the Northeast Early Childhood Council and Steering Committee, Chair of the Safety Committee of the Community Planning Team, Chair of the Putnam Early Childhood Council, member of the Putnam Partnership to Reduce the Influence of Drugs for Everyone, member of both the School Readiness workgroup and the Professional Development workgroup. She has coordinated and presented regional professional development opportunities for early care and education staff and providers and provided parent trainings and programs on various early childhood topics. Ms. Beausoleil has led her preschool team through the National Association for the Education of Young Children Accreditation process several times and maintains a high-quality preschool program with over 100 students.
She is involved in many community and school-based activities and programs and is an advocate for children and families. Ms. Beausoleil resides in Brooklyn with her husband David, and 6-year-old daughter, Lillian.
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Marisol Estrada-Soto, Parent
Parent
Marisol Estrada-Soto is a 2007 graduate from the Parent Leadership Training Institute. She is the Chair of Meriden Children First; Chair of Meriden Early Childhood Council and Steering Committee Member. She worked to create the Meriden Blueprint for Early Learning and helped create the Meriden Family Zone. She is part of the Executive Team working on the 2011 Promise Neighborhood Planning Grant awarded to Meriden Children First. She is also co-chair of the Meriden Coalition for Education Excellence.
Marisol graduated from Middlesex Community College with an A.S. degree in Business Administration and from The University of Hartford with a B.S. in Management Information Systems. She lives in Meriden with her husband, Aurelio Soto, Jr. They have two sons.
Helene Figueroa, Director, Child Care Division, CSEA/SEIU Local 2001
Representative of the Connecticut State Employees Association
Helene Figueroa joined the Connecticut State Employees Association, SEIU Local 2001 as the child care division director in 2012. She brings 25 years of experience as a child care advocate working on community development and planning projects with programs like Connecticut Care4Kids. Previously, she served as director of the Trinity College Community Child Center. She lives in Meriden.
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E-mail Helene Figueroa
Linda Franciscovich, Executive Director, Grossman Family Foundation
Representative from the Philanthropic Community
Linda R. Franciscovich is the Executive Director of The Grossman Family Foundation, a family foundation located in Cos Cob, Connecticut. Over the last two decades, she has advised families in all areas of philanthropy, including gift planning, mission and program development, governance, and succession planning. Prior to joining The Grossman Family Foundation, she held positions as Vice President of Development and Philanthropic Services at the Fairfield County Community Foundation, Norwalk, Connecticut and Managing Director of Private Philanthropy at U.S. Trust Company, New York. She is a graduate of New York Law School and the University of Denver and is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York. She serves as a Director of The Berthe M. Cote Foundation and is a board member of the Connecticut Council on Philanthropy. She and her husband live in Westport.
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Laura Post, Senior Director, Strategic Planning & Insights, LEGO Systems, Inc.
Representative from the Business or Philanthropic Community
Laura A. Post is Senior Director, Strategic Planning & Insights, for LEGO Systems Inc., the Americas division of the global LEGO Group toy company. Ms. Post oversees long-range planning, strategic projects and consumer research for the Enfield-based LEGO Systems, where she has worked for 25 years. She is involved in multiple aspects of the LEGO business, from developing regional strategies and internal consulting to improving the company’s knowledge of children and how they play.
Ms. Post has a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. She and her husband Mark live in West Hartford and have two daughters.
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Karen Rainville, Executive Director, CAEYC
Representative of an Association of Early Education and Child Care Providers
Karen Rainville is the Executive Director of the
The Connecticut Association for the
Education of Young Children (CAEYC). As the state affiliate of the
National Association for the Education of Young Children, CAEYC is part of a
professional association with nearly 80,000 members from more than 300
Affiliates and more than 120 countries, including teachers, administrators,
parents, educators, and policy members, committed to bringing high-quality
early care and education to all young children.
Prior to joining CAEYC, Karen spent 10 years overseeing the inclusive early childhood programs and service for Easter Seals Connecticut. She supports early childhood work at the local level in her community as a member of the Meriden Early Childhood Council and the Meriden Directors Group. Statewide Karen continues to serve as the Chair of the CT Early Childhood Alliance as well as serving on several state committees. Karen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a P-6 endorsement from Eastern CT State University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Central CT State University. Karen lives in Meriden with her husband, Roger, and son, Ryan.
E-mail Karen Rainville
Prior to joining CAEYC, Karen spent 10 years overseeing the inclusive early childhood programs and service for Easter Seals Connecticut. She supports early childhood work at the local level in her community as a member of the Meriden Early Childhood Council and the Meriden Directors Group. Statewide Karen continues to serve as the Chair of the CT Early Childhood Alliance as well as serving on several state committees. Karen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a P-6 endorsement from Eastern CT State University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Central CT State University. Karen lives in Meriden with her husband, Roger, and son, Ryan.
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Edie Reichard, Director, Sleeping Giant Day Care
Representative of a State-funded Child Care Center
Edie Reichard was born and raised in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. She moved to Connecticut in 1986. She received her Connecticut Director's Credentials in 2003. She is currently the Director of Sleeping Giant Day Care, Inc. in Hamden (a state funded child care center) since 2004. She is the secretary of the CT State Funded Director's Forum and has been a member since 2004. She is a member of NAEYC, NCCA, Hamden's Partnership for Young Children, Hamden's Administrator Group, and the CT Early Childhood Alliance. Previously, she worked as a Speech & Language Assistant for St. Vincent's Special Needs Services in Trumbull from 1986-1994. She was the Head Teacher/Director at St. Paul's Child Development Center in Bridgeport from 1994-2003. She was the Director of A Child's Garden in Shelton from 2003-2004.
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Eileen Ward, Director, Children's Community Development Center
Representative of Local Providers of Early Childhood Education
Eileen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Fairfield University. She began her employment at CCDC in 1981. She was hired as a teacher in the Preschool Program, moved to the Young Toddler Program as a Head Teacher, became the Assistant Director and since 1986, the Director. She holds a Connecticut Director’s Credential at the Master Level. Eileen has completed extensive continuing education in child development, early childhood education, inclusion of children with disabilities and non-profit management through the Yale Child Study Center, Bank Street College of Education, Wheelock College, Teacher’s College, Columbia University, Reggio Emilia (Italy), the University of Connecticut Health Center, the University of Wisconsin, the National Association for the Education of Young Children and several other local and national organizations. Eileen has also been involved on local and regional advisory councils, task forces and with public and private organizations dedicated to the care and education of all young children, their families and teachers. In 2010, she became a member of the Advisory Board of the Fairfield University Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions. In February 2010, Eileen was appointed to the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Cabinet. The Cabinet advises the Governor and Legislature on school readiness issues. At the 2009 United Way Live United Celebration and Awards Breakfast, Eileen was honored with the Elizabeth Roberts Award. In granting the award, the United Way said the following: Eileen Ward is Executive Director of the Children’s Community Development Center, a premier childcare program in Westport. She is a longtime community partner of United Way and dedicated volunteer. Eileen’s expertise on Early Childhood Education is an invaluable asset in helping in determining critical needs in the area of early childhood education and developing strategies to address them. A conversation about what is needed to help kids succeed is not complete without the input of Eileen.
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Vacant
Parent
Parent of a child attending or who attended a School Readiness Program, appointed by the minority leader of the House
Speaker of the House Appointment
Board of Education for a town designated as an Alliance District, appointed by the Speaker of the House
Speaker of the House Appointment
Board of Education for a town designated as an Alliance District, appointed by the Speaker of the House
