Beth Bye
Commissioner
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
Beth Bye was appointed as Commissioner for the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood by Governor Ned Lamont in January 2019.
Bye, who served in the Senate from 2011 to the present and in the House from 2007 through 2010, will lead an office created in 2013 to coordinate and enhance various early childhood development programs and create a cohesive early care system.
In 2013, Senator Bye led the effort to create The Office of Early Childhood (OEC), one of the first such offices in the country. Her work as champion for the creation of the office is informed by her own, long-term experience since 1980 as an early childhood professional.
Beth’s experience includes leadership positions at Auerfarm/Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School, Great by 8, the Capitol Region Education Council, and she also helped to open two early childhood magnet schools. Beth was the director at both the Trinity College Community Child Center and the University of St. Joseph School for Young Children, which was named a State of Connecticut model pre-school.
Commissioner Bye received her BA and MA in Child Development from the University of New Hampshire.
Session
Systemic Inequities Revealed by Covid
November 10 from 11:00-12:00pm
Ms. Darby-Hudgens returned to the Center in 2017. She has spent her professional career with the goal of pursuing meaningful social justice work, with a focus on civil rights advocacy. At the Center, she advocates for fair housing rights in state policy, and in several statewide working groups. Finn’s research on exclusionary zoning and fair housing policies past and present history has been published in many formats, and contribute to her expertise in Connecticut’s land use policies. She earned her B.A. from Trinity College and her M.P.A. from the University of Connecticut.
SESSION
Beyond Redlining: Re-Imagining Housing Policy in Connecticut
November 10 from 1:00-2:00pm
Carl Dasse, Ph.D.
Senior Data Systems and Evaluation Manager
Children’s Services Council of Broward County
Dr. Carl Dasse has worked for the Children’s Services Council of Broward County (CSC) four ten years, where he is responsible for the implementation of the Broward Data Collaborative’s Integrated Data System and Community Participatory Action Research (CPAR) endeavors. After earning his doctorate, he worked for the Florida House of Representatives for three years before managing multiple grant programs at the Broward County Public Schools for four years. Dr. Dasse has helped write and implement dozens of federal and state grants, including CSC’s federal Performance Partnership, Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program, 21st Century Community Learning Center programs, and a Florida Institute for Child Welfare research grant. Dr. Dasse’s passion is developing the BDC to incorporate a CPAR framework with a racial equity lens for people whose data is in our IDS to co-identify and co-create equitable solutions to improve our community’s outcomes with the system professionals who provide data for our IDS.
Session
Co-Creating Equity through Participatory Research
November 10 from 3:00-4:00pm
Sue Gallagher, D.Ed.
Chief Innovation Officer
Children’s Services Council of Broward County
Sue Gallagher, Chief Innovation Officer, Children’s Services Council (CSC) of Broward County, has been with the CSC for over 13 years providing opportunities for all children “to realize their full potential, their hopes and their dreams, supported by a nurturing family and community.” She leads efforts to support community partners to collaborate on improving programs, service systems and communities, including the advancement of racial equity, so young people and their families can thrive. Dr. Gallagher worked in non-profits serving people with developmental disabilities in New York and Miami for nearly 20 years prior to joining CSC. Dr. Gallagher has a Bachelors Degree in Religious Studies from Siena College in New York, a Masters Degree in Pastoral Ministry from St. Thomas University in Miami, FL, and a Doctorate in Adult Education and Human Resource Development from Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, FL. Dr. Gallagher is also an adjunct professor at FIU where she teaches organizational and community strategic planning.
Session
Co-Creating Equity through Participatory Research
November 10 from 3:00-4:00pm
Vannessa Dorantes
Commissioner
Department of Children and Families
Vannessa L Dorantes LMSW has worked for the State of CT’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) since 1992 after receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Teikyo Post University. She later earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from the UCONN School of Social Work where she majored in Casework and Community Organization.
From 2004 until appointment as commissioner, she was an adjunct faculty member at Central CT State University where she has taught several elective and core competency Social Work courses including: Human Behavior in the Social Environment I& II, Social Welfare Policy & Services II, Communities, Child Welfare I & II as well as a cultural competency course. She has served on the SW Advisory Boards of Central and western CT State Universities and currently the UCONN School of Social Work Board of Advocates.
As a licensed, Master Social Worker, Dorantes is also certified in Social Work field instruction from Southern CT State University and has supervised countless undergraduate and graduate level interns in Social Work and related fields from various universities in CT and neighboring states.
Within DCF, she has held just about every position in the Social Work job class series. In 2014, she was appointed as Regional Administrator to the state’s northwest corner— a CT DCF region that encompasses 43 diverse cities and towns. Dorantes also served as a tri-chair of DCF’s Statewide Racial Justice Workgroup which has chronicled the Department’s journey in two national webinar series.
In January 2019, Dorantes proudly accepted Governor Ned Lamont’s nomination and was confirmed as the state of CT’s first African American DCF Commissioner where she oversees the Department’s 3,200 staff members.
As DCF Commissioner she coChairs CT’s Alcohol & Drug Policy Council and the Health & Safety subcommittee for the Gov’s Council on Women & Girls.
It is her mission to reinforce the expectation that the Department of Children and Families’ staff Practice with Pride, Passion and Purpose together with People and Partners across the larger child welfare service delivery system.
“The urgency of Child Time is of critical importance. We must all work together now to improve
Session
Keynote Panel: Systemic Inequities Revealed by Covid
November 10 from 11:00-12:00pm
Richard Gold
Independent Consultant
Richard Gold has more than forty years legal experience as well as extensive experience in the child welfare and children’s services arena. He spent four years at the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare as the Deputy Secretary of the Office of Children, Youth and Families. Major accomplishments during his tenure included integrating behavioral health services for children and youth in both the child welfare and juvenile delinquent systems; maximizing the use of Title XIX Medicaid funds by more than $70 million for residential and non-residential treatment services; implementing a Systems of Care federal initiative for children and youth with behavioral health problems and involved in either the child welfare or juvenile justice system; decreasing the number of children in out-of-state placement by more than 75% and decreasing the overall number of children and youth in placement services by 29%; implementing a state-of-the-art, statewide safety assessment tool and process; and implementing a quality services review process. Since leaving the state, Mr. Gold has been an independent contractor working with states and local jurisdictions in developing appropriate agreements to enable data sharing while meeting all legal requirements for confidentiality, privacy and security. In 1978, Mr. Gold received his Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, after receiving his Bachelor of Arts from Temple University in 1974.
Session
Systemic Change Through Data Sharing
November 9 from 3:00-4:00pm
Ajit Gopalakrishnan
Chief Performance Officer
Connecticut State Department of Education
Ajit is the Chief Performance Officer for the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). In that capacity, he oversees data collection, student assessment, psychometrics, information technology, reporting, research, and school/district accountability. Prior to assuming this role, he worked for over 15 years in the field of adult education where he managed initiatives around standards, assessment, data, and accountability. He also served as the state’s GED Administrator. Ajit has published articles on learner retention, accountability, and technology.
Session
Systemic Change Through Data Sharing
November 9 from 3:00-4:00pm
Kiley Gosselin
Executive Director
Partnership for Strong Communities
Kiley Gosselin joined the Partnership as its Deputy Executive Director in November of 2018. Kiley brings 14 years of experience in the housing and homelessness sector, most recently serving as Acting Director of the Department of Development Services for the City of Hartford. Prior to her time with the City of Hartford, she served as Management and Program Analyst at the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Kiley practiced law with Holland & Knight LLP in the area of business tax, specifically equity financing for affordable housing projects eligible for low-income housing tax credits and various state housing finance programs. She worked as a policy analyst and legislative advocate for multiple organizations on state and federal policy issues relating to affordable and supportive housing including the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Kiley helped launch the HOME CT Campaign as a Policy Analyst for the Partnership for Strong Communities. She has also worked in the political arena on various facets of state and national campaigns and helped create Connecticut's first statewide voter file in 2004.
In the community, Kiley is involved with local and regional political causes, as well as supporting homelessness and housing advocacy groups. She is on the board of directors of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance and recently served on the board of the Capital Region Development Authority.
Kiley holds a B.A. in Policy Science and Policy Studies from Rice University in Houston, TX and a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
Session
Beyond Redlining: Re-Imagining Housing Policy in Connecticut
November 10 from 1:00-2:00pm
Chavon Hamilton-Burgess
Founder/Executive Director
Hartford Health Initiative
Chavon Hamilton-Burgess is the Coordinator for the Community Research Alliance. She manages daily operations including the coordination of meeting and community events. Chavon is also the Founder/Executive Director of Hartford Health Initiative Inc., a nonprofit located in Hartford, CT working to improve health outcomes for residents in the North End of Hartford. She has a Masters of Social Work from University of Connecticut and Masters of Public Administration from Rutgers University. Chavon is currently a Public Health PhD candidate at UMASS-Amherst.
Session
Equitable Data Collection to Promote Health Equity
November 9 from 1:00-2:00pm
Melissa Marichal
Staff Attorney
Connecticut Fair Housing Center
Melissa Marichal is a staff attorney at the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, a civil rights organization that works to ensure all people have access to the housing of their choice free from discrimination. Previously, she was a legal fellow at New Haven Legal Assistance Association. Melissa received her J.D. from Yale Law School and her B.A. from Columbia University.
Session
Beyond Redlining: Re-Imagining Housing Policy in Connecticut
November 10 from 1:00-2:00pm
Kim Oliver
Director
Department of Families, Children, Youth, and Recreation, City of Hartford
Kim Oliver was born, raised, and currently lives in Hartford, Connecticut. She is the Director of the Department of Families, Children, Youth and Recreation for the City of Hartford and the Second Vice Chair of the Board of Education for Hartford Public Schools. A proud graduate of Yale University with a BA in Economics and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a MBA (Marketing/Ecommerce), Kim has more than 20 years of professional experience with for-private and non-profit businesses in both private and public sectors.
She began her career working developing, managing, and maintaining data systems for large corporations. As she continued on her professional path, she continued to highlight data as a key way ground and inform her decision-making and performance. Kim has been recognized for her work to improve the lives of children and families including being an Aspen Scholar by The Aspen Institute, “One to Watch” by the Hartford Business Journal, and one of the 100 Women of Color for 2020.
Session
Systemic Change Through Data Sharing
November 9 from 3:00-4:00pm
Bishop John Selders
Director
Moral Monday CT
The Right Reverend Doctor John L. Selders, Jr. is an ordained minister serving in the United Church of Christ, the Organizing Pastor of Amistad United Church of Christ, Hartford, CT, former Associate College Chaplain and currently Assistant Dean of Students, Trinity College, Hartford, CT and one of the leaders of Moral Monday CT. For 15 years, he served as Executive Director of Zezzo House (an 18 unit housing project) in Hartford, CT. Bishop Selders is a founding member of Moral Monday CT, a grassroots statewide organization committed to a wide range of social justice issues.
Bishop Selders worked for 12 years as a Lecturer at Yale Divinity School in New Haven, CT, Adjunct Faculty Member in the Field Education Department of Andover Newton Theological School, Dean of Urban Ministry Track for The Anglican Divinity School and was an adjunct faculty member for The Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education. Bishop Selders is slated to join the faculty of Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry as an adjunct faculty member in 2021. He serves on a number of boards, including as member of the board and former national Vice President of the Religious Coalition of Reproductive Choice. He continues to work with several organizations both locally and nationally whose focus is on the healing of humanity.
Session
Keynote: What’s Next?
November 9 from 11:20am-12:00pm
Dr. Marie Spivey
Principal/Consultant
System for Education, Equity & Transition, LLC (SEET Consultants, LLC)
Marie M. Spivey is a Principal/Consultant with the System for Education, Equity & Transition, LLC (SEET Consultants, LLC). She is a Registered Nurse who holds an EdD and MPA, both from the University of Hartford, and a BS Degree in Human Service from Southern New Hampshire University. Dr. Spivey co-chaired the New England Regional Health Equity Council, formed in 2006 as the first of ten such Councils across the country created by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health in their efforts to help end health disparities and bring a higher level of visibility to the lack of data, data quality, and health inequities within the six New England states.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Spivey moved from her former position as the CEO of the Charter Oak Terrace/Rice Heights Health Center to join the Connecticut Department of Public Health as its first Bureau Chief of Community Health, and then subsequently went on to become Hartford Hospital’s first African American Vice President of Community Involvement. Just prior to her consultancy work with SEET, LLC, Marie retired from the Connecticut Hospital Association where she served for several years as Vice President of Health Equity working with the state’s 28 hospitals to enhance their efforts to form Diversity Collaborative Teams to better address health equity policies and opportunities to serve their constituents. Marie utilizes her expertise by supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives in her role as an active Board member of several organizations – among them are the Connecticut League for Nursing, the Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, and both Goodwin College and Capital Community College Nursing Advisory Boards.
Session
Equitable Data Collection to Promote Health Equity
November 9 from 1:00-2:00pm
@ctdph
Orlando Velazco is the Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Connecticut Department of Public Health. He also is a Board Member of the Hartford Health Initiative, Inc.; a community-based organization dedicated to improving health outcomes for residents of Hartford’s Northend through programming and community engagement; and has served as a Capitol Region Medical Reserve Corps volunteer since 2016. Current projects include working on updates to the State Health Improvement Plan with a wide spectrum of Coalition partners, providing equity context for recommendations to the Governor’s Council on Climate Change, and providing leadership to the LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network as they engage in a statewide analysis of barriers and needs for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Mr. Velazco has committed his life to working in public health service and research, working for over 10 years in regional and national HIV/AIDS and substance abuse community-based research projects at the Institute for Community Research in Hartford, CT; Temple University in Philadelphia and Emory University in Atlanta. Prior to his service with the state, Mr. Velazco served as an Epidemiologist for the City of Hartford from 2012 through 2018.
Session
Equitable Data Collection to Promote Health Equity
November 9 from 1:00-2:00pm