David Title, Chair, Superintendent, Fairfield Public Schools
Representative of a Local Education Agency
David Title is currently the Superintendent of Schools in Fairfield. Previously, he had been Superintendent of Schools in Bloomfield from 2002 until spring of 2010. Prior to coming to Bloomfield, Dr. Title served as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Waterford from 1990 to 2002. Prior to Waterford, Dr. Title served as the assistant principal at Somers High School and a teacher at East Granby High School and Longmeadow, MA High School.
As superintendent of schools in Bloomfield he was instrumental in the development and opening of the Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School, a model early childhood program serving 325 students from six communities in Greater Hartford. In addition, as assistant superintendent of schools in Waterford he helped to develop The Friendship School which serves approximately 500 students from New London and Waterford. Dr. Title was the 2010 Connecticut Superintendent of the Year.
A native of West Hartford, Dr. Title earned his Doctorate in educational administration from Harvard University and a Master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Dartmouth College, where he majored in History. He is married to Laurie and has four children and two poodles.
E-mail David Title
As superintendent of schools in Bloomfield he was instrumental in the development and opening of the Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School, a model early childhood program serving 325 students from six communities in Greater Hartford. In addition, as assistant superintendent of schools in Waterford he helped to develop The Friendship School which serves approximately 500 students from New London and Waterford. Dr. Title was the 2010 Connecticut Superintendent of the Year.
A native of West Hartford, Dr. Title earned his Doctorate in educational administration from Harvard University and a Master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Dartmouth College, where he majored in History. He is married to Laurie and has four children and two poodles.
E-mail David Title
Catherine Abercrombie, State Representative
Member of the House of Representatives
Catherine Abercrombie is a Democratic member of the House of Representatives, representing the 83rd District since winning a special election in March 2005. She currently serves as Assistant Majority Whip and Vice-Chair of the Appropriations Committee. She formerly served as Assistant Majority Leader.
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Abercrombie has been appointed to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, the Subcommitee on Human Services and Results-Based Accountability. She is also a member of the Government Administration and Elections Committee and the Public Health Committee.
She and her husband live in Meriden.
E-mail Catherine Abercrombie
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Abercrombie has been appointed to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, the Subcommitee on Human Services and Results-Based Accountability. She is also a member of the Government Administration and Elections Committee and the Public Health Committee.
She and her husband live in Meriden.
E-mail Catherine Abercrombie
Cathy Battista, President, Family Resource Center Alliance
Representative from Family Resource Centers
Ms. 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.
E-mail Cathy Battista
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.
E-mail Cathy Battista
Claudette Beaulieu, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Social Services
Representative from the State Agency Responsible for Child Care
Claudette Beaulieu has worked for over thirty-three years for the Department of Social Services. For the last eight years, she has held the title of Deputy Commissioner of the Programs Division. Prior to that, for ten years, she oversaw the Departments’ Government Relations office as a Communications Director.
Claudette is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Political Science.
E-mail Claudette Beaulieu
Claudette is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Political Science.
E-mail Claudette Beaulieu
Alternate:
Peter Palermino, Program Manager, Bureau of Assistance Programs, Family Services Division, Department of Social Services
Peter Palermino is the Program Manager for the Bureau of Assistance Programs Family Services Division at the Connecticut Department of Social Services, the statutory designated lead agency for child care, cash assistance, child support, medical assistance and many other health and human services in Connecticut. In this capacity, Mr. Palermino serves as the state Child Care and TANF Administrator having responsibility for the respective state plans and oversight to the federal TANF and child care funds distributed to Connecticut. Mr. Palermino is also responsible for other state child care funds and works with other state, legislative and community agencies to coordinate the various components to the child care system. Mr. Palermino represents the Commissioner for the CT Department of Social Services at a variety of state and local early care and education planning and advocacy groups. Mr. Palermino and his staff are also responsible for coordinating other administrative and planning task to insure services such as transportation, health care and cash assistance, are provided for Connecticut families.
E-mail Peter Palermino
E-mail Peter Palermino
Marisol Estrada-Soto
Parent
Marisol Estrada-Soto is a 2007 graduate from the Parent Leadsherip 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.
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.
Harriet Feldlaufer, Chief, Bureau of Teaching & Learning, Department of Education
Representative of the State Education Agency
Harriet Feldlaufer has earned a Bachelors 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. For the past 23 years, Ms. Feldlaufer has worked at the Connecticut State Department of Education in the areas of professional development, early childhood education, family involvement and school improvement. Currently, she is serving as Chief for the Bureau of Teaching and Learning. In this capacity she oversees preschool through grade 12 curriculum, teaching and assessment and manages over $500 million dollars in federal and state funds. Previous to this position, she was Chief for the Bureau of Early Childhood Education. Ms. Feldlaufer worked on the development and implementation of a statewide support system for districts and schools to meet school improvement requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act. She was principal writer for the State Board of Education’s five-year comprehensive plan (2006-2011), entitled “A Superior Education for Connecticut’s 21st Century Learners.” During her tenure at the Department, she has served as project manager for the elementary education component of the state’s teacher induction program (BEST), overseeing the design and implementation of support seminars and the development of standards-based portfolio assessment of approximately 750 novice teachers. She also served as co-director of the state’s School-Family-Community Partnerships Project, designed to promote family and community involvement practices and programs at the local level and to increase public awareness of partnerships. In addition, Ms. Feldlaufer was the Professional Development Director for Connecticut’s Statewide Family Literacy Initiative with particular emphasis on the implementation of interagency training on family literacy for professionals from education, health and human services. Ms. Feldlaufer served as a member of the Executive Board of the National Network of Basic Schools supporting the seminal work of the late Dr. Ernest Boyer. She also served on the Executive Board of the Elementary and Middle School Principals Association of Connecticut and as the Commissioner’s designee to the CT Association of Boards of Education (CABE). Currently she is the Commissioner’s designee to the Commission on Children. Ms. Feldlaufer lives in West Hartford with her husband, David. They have two daughters.
E-mail Harriet Feldlaufer
E-mail Harriet Feldlaufer
Linda Goodman, Director, Birth to Three System, Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Representative of Entity Determined Relevant by the Governor
Linda Goodman has worked for DDS since 1972 in a variety of positions including directing the department’s early intervention program, strategic planning, program development, educational administration, and staff training. She has served as Director for the Birth to Three System since July, 1996. The System serves over 9,000 eligible children with disabilities or developmental delays and their families each year through a network of 45 private and public programs. Linda coordinated the design and implementation of the current system and has presented extensively on topics related to design, funding, and operation and supervision of statewide systems of early intervention. The System has had to adapt over the years in response to both state and federal demands. Connecticut was only the second state in the country to have its Federal application fully approved, reflecting all new requirements of IDEA 2004. As a result of the Annual Performance Reports submitted to OSEP, they have also been determined to “meet requirements” for the past three years. 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 by the Dept. of Education as a speech pathologist, school administrator, and superintendent. She served on the Board of the national Infant Toddler Coordinators Association from 1998 to 2003 and was President of the Association in 2002. She currently chairs the Legislative Committee for the Association. She served as a member of the Advisory Board to the National Center for Special Education Accountability Monitoring from 2002-2007. She currently serves as the appointed representative for DDS on the Birth to Three State Interagency Coordinating Council and is the Commissioner’s designee to the state’s Early Childhood Cabinet.
E-mail Linda Goodman
E-mail Linda Goodman
Leah Grenier, Principal Budget Specialist, Office of Policy and Management
Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management Designee
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 Master’s in Economics from the University of Connecticut.
E-mail Leah Grenier
E-mail Leah Grenier
Janice Gruendel, Ph.D., M.Ed., Deputy Commissioner, Department of Children & Families
Representative from the Department of Children & Families
Dr. Janice M. Gruendel brings nearly 20 years of experience in State of Connecticut government to her third assignment in the Department of Children and Families. Her other experiences in Connecticut state government include serving as Senior Advisor on Early Childhood Youth for Connecticut’s Governor M. Jodi Rell as well as at the deputy commissioner level in the Departments of Children and Families, Developmental Disabilities, Public Health and in the CT Corrections Department. As Governor’s Rell advisor, she co-led the CT Early Childhood Education Cabinet, the state’s initiative to develop a comprehensive, seamless birth to age nine (B-9) system for children and families. Dr. Gruendel has also served as a consultant to the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, the New Jersey Council for Young Children and the national BUILD Initiative.
From 1992 through 1996, she worked in the for-profit sector as Vice President for Education and Technology in a Connecticut children’s entertainment business, Rabbit Ears Productions. Between 1996 and 2004, she co-founded and served as co-president of Connecticut Voices for Children, a nationally recognized children’s advocacy organization.
Gruendel has extensive experience in policy, fiscal and data analysis, strategic planning, program management and assessment, research, early childhood data systems development, and community planning. She has also worked in the school reform arena, both for the Connecticut State Department of Education as well as the Connecticut Commission on Educational Achievement. She currently serves on several national working groups involved in early childhood systems development, including the Early Childhood Data Collaborative and the Data Quality Campaign’s Privacy Advisory Council. She has written extensively, including a book on children affected by HIV, and she has just completed a chapter on early childhood data systems in a forthcoming book on early childhood systems development.
Dr. Gruendel received her Ph.D. from Yale University in Developmental Psychology, studying with Professor Edward Zigler. She holds a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. Her B.A. degree in Sociology was awarded by the University of Maryland, magna cum laude. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Gruendel is married to Appellate Court Judge F. Herbert Gruendel and has three sons and six grandchildren.
E-mail Janice Gruendel
From 1992 through 1996, she worked in the for-profit sector as Vice President for Education and Technology in a Connecticut children’s entertainment business, Rabbit Ears Productions. Between 1996 and 2004, she co-founded and served as co-president of Connecticut Voices for Children, a nationally recognized children’s advocacy organization.
Gruendel has extensive experience in policy, fiscal and data analysis, strategic planning, program management and assessment, research, early childhood data systems development, and community planning. She has also worked in the school reform arena, both for the Connecticut State Department of Education as well as the Connecticut Commission on Educational Achievement. She currently serves on several national working groups involved in early childhood systems development, including the Early Childhood Data Collaborative and the Data Quality Campaign’s Privacy Advisory Council. She has written extensively, including a book on children affected by HIV, and she has just completed a chapter on early childhood data systems in a forthcoming book on early childhood systems development.
Dr. Gruendel received her Ph.D. from Yale University in Developmental Psychology, studying with Professor Edward Zigler. She holds a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. Her B.A. degree in Sociology was awarded by the University of Maryland, magna cum laude. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Gruendel is married to Appellate Court Judge F. Herbert Gruendel and has three sons and six grandchildren.
E-mail Janice Gruendel
Debra Johnson, Chief, Community Based Regulation Section, Department of Public Health
Representative of the State Agency Responsible for Health or Mental Health Care
Debra Johnson joined the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) in 1988. Since December 2000, Debra has worked in the Community Based Regulation Section of the DPH, which is responsible for the administration of the statewide child day care and youth camp licensing programs. Since July 2009, she has been the Section’s Section Chief. Previously, Debra worked in the Practitioner Licensing and Investigation Section and Tumor Registry at the DPH. Debra is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in Public and Community Health.
E-mail Debra Johnson
E-mail Debra Johnson
Michelle Maggio, Parent
Parent of a Child Attending School in a Priority District
Michelle Maggio graduated from Norwalk High School and took business courses at Katherine Gibbs College. She is now the owner of a small family business in which she grew up. Ms. Maggio was also a candidate for Common Council.
Ms. Maggio is married to her husband Jonathan, a firefighter. They have four children, one who completed the School Readiness Program, and one who is currently enrolled at Carousel Preschool in Norwalk.
E-mail Michelle Maggio
Ms. Maggio is married to her husband Jonathan, a firefighter. They have four children, one who completed the School Readiness Program, and one who is currently enrolled at Carousel Preschool in Norwalk.
E-mail Michelle Maggio
David Morgan, Vice President, Team, Inc.
Representative from a Head Start Agency
David Morgan is the Vice President of Early Education at TEAM Inc, a nonprofit community action agency serving the Lower Naugatuck Valley and Milford. He manages federal & state Head Start as well as Child Day Care & School Readiness in seven communities. Recently he gained NAEYC Accreditation for all sites, developed a Family Resource Center with private funds, and is working on the implementation of a new Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program in Ansonia and Derby.
David holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Connecticut in Human Development & Family Relations – Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Education and is Connecticut teacher certified for Kindergarten – Grade 6. His experience includes teaching Infants/Toddlers and Preschool – as well as administration in multiple early childhood and family support programs/initiatives. David holds multiple certifications in human services management and accountability systems, and is currently pursuing a Sixth Year in Education Leadership at Southern Connecticut State University.
David is Chair/President of the CT Head Start Association, is currently appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate to the CT State Head Start Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Early Learning Standards Workgroup of the ECE Cabinet. David is a member of and collaborates with multiple community, regional, state, & national Early Childhood initiatives.
He and his wife, Kristi, and their three children live in Litchfield.
E-mail David Morgan
David holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Connecticut in Human Development & Family Relations – Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Education and is Connecticut teacher certified for Kindergarten – Grade 6. His experience includes teaching Infants/Toddlers and Preschool – as well as administration in multiple early childhood and family support programs/initiatives. David holds multiple certifications in human services management and accountability systems, and is currently pursuing a Sixth Year in Education Leadership at Southern Connecticut State University.
David is Chair/President of the CT Head Start Association, is currently appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate to the CT State Head Start Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Early Learning Standards Workgroup of the ECE Cabinet. David is a member of and collaborates with multiple community, regional, state, & national Early Childhood initiatives.
He and his wife, Kristi, and their three children live in Litchfield.
E-mail David Morgan
Joan Parris, Director, Early Childhood Education, Norwalk Community College
Representative of Institutions of 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.
E-mail Joan Parris
E-mail Joan Parris
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.
E-mail Edie Reichard
E-mail Edie Reichard
Andrea Stillman, State Senator
Member of the Senate
Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford) is serving her fourth term representing residents of the 20th Senatorial District (East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem and Waterford). She is Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, and is the Senate Chair of the legislature’s Education Committee. She also serves on the Public Health, Transportation, and Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committees.
In January, 2011 Senator Stillman was appointed Senate Chair of the legislature’s Education Committee. Improving the quality of public education has long been one of Senator Stillman’s major priorities. She has worked to reform and provide resources for our vocational-technical school system. And she was appointed by the commissioner of the State Department of Education to represent our state on the New England Secondary School Consortium. Prior to this term, as Senate Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, Senator Stillman earned high marks for her stewardship over public safety issues in general, as well as for her efforts in the area of fire safety and in addressing towns’ concerns within the resident state trooper program. She also held a seat on the Public Health Preparedness Advisory Committee, a group charged with ensuring state and local emergency readiness and interagency coordination. Senator Stillman has also been a vocal advocate on other critical issues, including access to health care, job training, substance abuse and compulsive gambling, and environmental preservation. In her first year in the Senate, she served as Chair of the Environment Committee. She was also appointed by the governor to serve as Co-chair of the Long Island Sound LNG Task Force. This bipartisan task force succeeded in thwarting a proposal to construct a floating liquid natural gas terminal on Long Island Sound. For this, and for her dedicated efforts to protect our shoreline, waterways, and open space, Senator Stillman has consistently received high scores from the League of Conservation Voters. Recently, Senator Stillman championed landmark legislation through the efforts of the DUI Reform Working Group and the Speaker’s Task Force on Domestic Violence. As a member of both groups, she co-sponsored legislation to strengthen drunk driving laws and protect and support victims of domestic violence. Senator Stillman was also a member of the Subase Coalition from its inception, and was an active participant in the battle to preserve Subase New London in Groton and protect it from closure during the federal government’s BRAC process in 2005. The Subase Coalition continues to monitor potential future BRAC proposals to protect the economic interests of Southeastern Connecticut. Senator Stillman was instrumental in the creation of the Office of Military Affairs, to ensure that the state continues to be an active partner in this initiative. Senator Stillman’s fair and balanced approach to decision-making is well respected by her colleagues on both sides of the aisle. She was selected by the governor to serve on a special Commission on Judicial Reform, and was appointed to the Senate’s six-member Bipartisan Committee of Review, which was charged with determining whether a fellow senator should be expelled, censured, or reprimanded for admittedly criminal activity. In 2002, she was one of only 11 female state legislators in the country selected by the Center for Women Policy Studies to attend their Foreign Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and meet with high-ranking officials from the State Department, United Nations, human rights organizations, Doctors Without Borders and other international agencies. The Institute explored the impact of U.S. foreign policy and assistance on the health, education, economic development and well-being of women worldwide. This experience motivated Senator Stillman to fight for new legislation that addresses the issue of sexual trafficking. She was instrumental in creating, and served as the Chair of, the legislature’s Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking. This work further established her as a champion for women and children and earned her recognition from the U Thant Institute. Senator Stillman is also well known for her dedicated efforts to combat compulsive gambling and to help those addicted. She has been a longtime advocate for the state’s Council on Problem Gambling, and is sought out as a panelist at forums on gambling issues. Prior to her Senate tenure she served six terms in the House of Representatives, representing the 38th District (originally Waterford and New London; after redistricting, Waterford and Montville). She was elected Deputy Majority Leader by her colleagues in the House, and was the House Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. She was a member of the Transportation and Environment Committees, and served six years on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee.
Outside of the General Assembly, Senator Stillman serves as a member of numerous civic and community organizations, including the League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, Lawrence and Memorial Benefactors Society, National Abortion Rights Action League, Southeastern Regional Action Council (formerly Citizens’ Task Force on Addictions), Waterford Lions Club, and Waterford Democratic Town Committee. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Waterford Country School and the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board. She and her husband own J. Solomon Office Supply; the company has been located in New London since 1902. Senator Stillman was born in New York City and graduated from the University of California at Northridge with a degree in Speech. She and her husband Howard are the parents of two grown children and have five grandchildren.
E-mail Senator Stillman
In January, 2011 Senator Stillman was appointed Senate Chair of the legislature’s Education Committee. Improving the quality of public education has long been one of Senator Stillman’s major priorities. She has worked to reform and provide resources for our vocational-technical school system. And she was appointed by the commissioner of the State Department of Education to represent our state on the New England Secondary School Consortium. Prior to this term, as Senate Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, Senator Stillman earned high marks for her stewardship over public safety issues in general, as well as for her efforts in the area of fire safety and in addressing towns’ concerns within the resident state trooper program. She also held a seat on the Public Health Preparedness Advisory Committee, a group charged with ensuring state and local emergency readiness and interagency coordination. Senator Stillman has also been a vocal advocate on other critical issues, including access to health care, job training, substance abuse and compulsive gambling, and environmental preservation. In her first year in the Senate, she served as Chair of the Environment Committee. She was also appointed by the governor to serve as Co-chair of the Long Island Sound LNG Task Force. This bipartisan task force succeeded in thwarting a proposal to construct a floating liquid natural gas terminal on Long Island Sound. For this, and for her dedicated efforts to protect our shoreline, waterways, and open space, Senator Stillman has consistently received high scores from the League of Conservation Voters. Recently, Senator Stillman championed landmark legislation through the efforts of the DUI Reform Working Group and the Speaker’s Task Force on Domestic Violence. As a member of both groups, she co-sponsored legislation to strengthen drunk driving laws and protect and support victims of domestic violence. Senator Stillman was also a member of the Subase Coalition from its inception, and was an active participant in the battle to preserve Subase New London in Groton and protect it from closure during the federal government’s BRAC process in 2005. The Subase Coalition continues to monitor potential future BRAC proposals to protect the economic interests of Southeastern Connecticut. Senator Stillman was instrumental in the creation of the Office of Military Affairs, to ensure that the state continues to be an active partner in this initiative. Senator Stillman’s fair and balanced approach to decision-making is well respected by her colleagues on both sides of the aisle. She was selected by the governor to serve on a special Commission on Judicial Reform, and was appointed to the Senate’s six-member Bipartisan Committee of Review, which was charged with determining whether a fellow senator should be expelled, censured, or reprimanded for admittedly criminal activity. In 2002, she was one of only 11 female state legislators in the country selected by the Center for Women Policy Studies to attend their Foreign Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and meet with high-ranking officials from the State Department, United Nations, human rights organizations, Doctors Without Borders and other international agencies. The Institute explored the impact of U.S. foreign policy and assistance on the health, education, economic development and well-being of women worldwide. This experience motivated Senator Stillman to fight for new legislation that addresses the issue of sexual trafficking. She was instrumental in creating, and served as the Chair of, the legislature’s Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking. This work further established her as a champion for women and children and earned her recognition from the U Thant Institute. Senator Stillman is also well known for her dedicated efforts to combat compulsive gambling and to help those addicted. She has been a longtime advocate for the state’s Council on Problem Gambling, and is sought out as a panelist at forums on gambling issues. Prior to her Senate tenure she served six terms in the House of Representatives, representing the 38th District (originally Waterford and New London; after redistricting, Waterford and Montville). She was elected Deputy Majority Leader by her colleagues in the House, and was the House Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. She was a member of the Transportation and Environment Committees, and served six years on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee.
Outside of the General Assembly, Senator Stillman serves as a member of numerous civic and community organizations, including the League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, Lawrence and Memorial Benefactors Society, National Abortion Rights Action League, Southeastern Regional Action Council (formerly Citizens’ Task Force on Addictions), Waterford Lions Club, and Waterford Democratic Town Committee. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Waterford Country School and the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board. She and her husband own J. Solomon Office Supply; the company has been located in New London since 1902. Senator Stillman was born in New York City and graduated from the University of California at Northridge with a degree in Speech. She and her husband Howard are the parents of two grown children and have five grandchildren.
E-mail Senator Stillman
To Be Announced
Representative of the State Agency Responsible for Programs under 619 or Part C of the IDEA
Alternate:
Maria Synodi, Department of Education
Maria Synodi has served young children, their families and the early childhood community in multiple roles for over 25 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 Program). Current responsibilities include disbursement and monitoring of federal funds; 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; working with state collaborators to develop and implement inclusive early childhood standards and accountability; ensuring seamless transition to and from the preschool grade; supporting in-service and pre-service training to ensure competent and skilled personnel; including a host of other initiatives and activities. Maria works intimately with other national and state agency partners and federal and state-funded programs including the Connecticut Birth to Three System; Head Start; state-funded child care; School Readiness; 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 14 years. Prior to working at the State Department of Education, Maria worked for a number of years at the Connecticut State Department of Children and Families (DCF) as an infant and early childhood consultant to the programs and services of the agency, including working specifically with child welfare and child protection. Some of her roles and responsibilities included ensuring statewide screening and assessment for early identification of developmental issues in children in foster care; forming the first statewide infant/early childhood mental health advisory committee; directing the activities of the DCF training center; identifying and working collaboratively with community programs to ensure children with special needs and behavioral/mental health issues were supported; working with residential facilities on early childhood programmatic issues; and working with families on reunification. Maria has worked as an administrator and as a direct service provider with infants, toddlers, young children and their families as: a classroom teacher; a school-wide resource coordinator; an early childhood coordinator for a public school and the Middlesex region; a director of a private special education facility; a director of pediatric rehabilitation and early childhood services at a state Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center; a consultant in a number of hospitals serving families whose children were in the neonatal and pediatric units; as well as in other venues over the years delivering individualized services to young children with special needs and their families.
E-mail Maria Synodi
E-mail Maria Synodi
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.
E-mail Eileen Ward
E-mail Eileen Ward
Grace Whitney, Ph.D., MPA, IMH-E (IV), Director, Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office
State Director of Head Start Collaboration
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.
E-mail Grace Whitney
E-mail Grace Whitney
Elaine Zimmerman, Executive Director, Commission on Children
Executive Director of the Commission on Children
As executive director of the Connecticut Commission on Children, Ms. Zimmerman reviews children’s policy and reports to the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government with recommendations for children’s legislation. She is recognized for her policy acumen and commitment to community capacity. She brings in broad and unexpected stakeholders to child policy discussion and ensures strong media dissemination to advance public information for families. Keenly focused on both civics and public policy, she weaves the two together in her leadership role for Connecticut children. Ms. Zimmerman consulted with the speaker of the House of Representatives on Connecticut's nationally recognized preschool legislation. She co-designed Connecticut’s School Readiness Campaign, which involved business, mayors, parents, the legislature, and early childhood educators. It has become a state model of policy and public education for young children including model state policy; upbeat public education; community capacity building; business leadership and parent leadership. She also served as chief consultant to the Early Reading Success legislation, which created full-day kindergarten, smaller class sizes, after-school programs and summer reading programs, and teacher training in early literacy and language acquisition. She guided legislation that established Connecticut's Blueprint in Reading, which documents and codifies what children need to learn in each grade to meet literacy standards and what teachers need to know and do to ensure these outcomes. Ms. Zimmerman facilitated the first state legislation in the nation on prevention that creates a Prevention Council, budget, benchmarks and a prevention framework for the state. Author of a report on bullying, she guided the legislature through the passage of the Safe Learning Act, providing dollars for schools to create a whole school culture change on safety. Similarly, she brought focus to a model state policy on children and terrorism with attention to their physical health, mental health, and safety needs. This is the only such state legislation, addressing the needs of children in homeland security. Ms. Zimmerman created the Parent Leadership Training Institutesm (PLTI) to offer parents the capacity to lead for children. Testing whether change for children is understood and whether these understandings can be taught to families, she created a democracy initiative focused on family civics. This school is now in 14 cities in Connecticut. It has moved nationally and is to be tested in Virginia, Rhode Island, Florida, and Colorado. For this work, she was given the Good Housekeeping Award for Women. She established a partnership with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, helping mayors lead on child policy. She serves on the Governor’s Early Education Cabinet, the State Poverty and Prevention Council, the Adoption and Foster Care Task Force, Connecticut’s Reading Panel, and the Children’s Health Foundation. She consulted with the federal government on both Reading First and Early Reading First and served as staff vice-chair to the Children, Families and Health Committee of the National Council of State Legislators, planning policy forums for the states on child and family concerns. Ms. Zimmerman is a regular on the news programming of WVIT-TV, Channel 30 in West Hartford, leads and moderates forums on family policy, and speaks routinely throughout our cities and towns on what parents and community can do to lead for children. Ardent on the importance of family civics, she trains on parent and youth leadership and the critical role that community must play in children’s policy and accountability. Previous to employment with the Connecticut legislature, Ms. Zimmerman was the director of the California legislature’s Committee on the Changing Family. She organized a statewide effort on family policy which issued the first state family policy agenda in the country. This was focused on optimal child development, family self-sufficiency, care-giving and intergenerational policy. Elaine was also senior consultant to California’s Human Services Committee. Ms. Zimmerman is the author of several articles on family and work, child development, parent leadership, and community building. Most recently, she authored a report on Children and Terrorism, which highlights children’s needs in this fragile time. She is a published poet, essayist, and political analyst. She resides with her husband and two children in Hamden, Connecticut.
E-mail Elaine Zimmerman
E-mail Elaine Zimmerman
CABINET STAFF
Andrea Brinnel, Education Consultant, Department of Education
Early Childhood Cabinet Coordinator
The Governor has designated Andrea Brinnel, education consultant with the SDE, as the staff member to coordinate the activities of the Cabinet. Andrea Brinnel brings over 20 years of experience in public and private education to this work. She has taught in both public and private schools at the preschool and secondary level. In addition, she also served as a central office administrator for a Connecticut public school district and as a member of the board of directors for a private special education school. Dr. Brinnel was a validator under the previous accreditation system for the National Association for the Education of Young Children and has been trained as a local assessor under the new accreditation system. She is also the program manager for the state Head Start supplementary grant program and coordinator of accreditation for programs funded through the state’s School Readiness grant program.
Dr. Brinnel received her master’s degree in education and certificate of advanced graduate studies from Westfield State College and her Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership and supervision at American International College. She lives in Longmeadow, Massachusetts with her husband, David. They have two children.
E-mail Andrea Brinnel
Dr. Brinnel received her master’s degree in education and certificate of advanced graduate studies from Westfield State College and her Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership and supervision at American International College. She lives in Longmeadow, Massachusetts with her husband, David. They have two children.
E-mail Andrea Brinnel
Sherry Linton-Massiah, Consultant
Early Childhood Cabinet Project Director
Sherry Linton-Massiah joins the Early Childhood Cabinet from the Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) in Hartford. CAHS is a state-wide organization that bridges policy and community outreach to promote prosperity for all of Connecticut’s children and families. CAHS partners with Connecticut Parent Power, The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, and Connecticut Voices for Children to advance early care and education in Connecticut through the Discovery work of the William Casper Graustein Memorial Fund. During her successful tenure at CAHS, she held the position of Early Care and Policy Analyst.
Ms. Linton-Massiah comes to the Cabinet with 13+ years of experience in the early childhood field. In addition to her work at CAHS, she has held positions as an Early Head Start Director, and a child care services supervisor and representative. Her knowledge of early childhood, coupled with her state experience gives Sherry the breadth and depth to understand the complex early childhood landscape in our state. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Trinity College and a Master's degree in Organizational Communication from Central Connecticut State University.
E-mail Sherry Linton-Massiah
Ms. Linton-Massiah comes to the Cabinet with 13+ years of experience in the early childhood field. In addition to her work at CAHS, she has held positions as an Early Head Start Director, and a child care services supervisor and representative. Her knowledge of early childhood, coupled with her state experience gives Sherry the breadth and depth to understand the complex early childhood landscape in our state. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Trinity College and a Master's degree in Organizational Communication from Central Connecticut State University.
E-mail Sherry Linton-Massiah
