HARTFORD, Conn. — Gov. Ned Lamont announced Wednesday the person he will nominate to become the state's next Commissioner for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in 2024.
Jodi Hill-Lilly has been nominated to succeed Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes, who is leaving in January to "pursue a new opportunity in the private sector."
Hill-Lilly has worked at DCF since 1988, and since 2019, has served as the agency's deputy commissioner of administration.
The governor believes Hill-Lilly's decades of "hands-on experience" at DCF and commitment to helping Connecticut's families make her well-fit for the job.
"Jodi has dedicated her career to strengthening the lives of children and families, and her direct, hands-on experience in this field, including as a case management social worker, will be a valuable benefit to Connecticut as we work to protect the safety and security of the youngest and most vulnerable residents of our state,” Lamont said.
Good leaders listen, they learn, and they remain teachable,” Hill-Lilly said of the nomination. “In this world of child welfare and well-being, that means taking to heart the lived experiences of our kids, our families and our communities, and keeping our promise to remain accountable as we strive to serve their unique needs. I am grateful for the trust Governor Lamont has placed in me to follow in the footsteps of Commissioner Dorantes. My friend and my colleague of decades will be a hard act to follow, but I am committed to continuing the momentum of all we have accomplished over the last five years.”
Lamont will bring his nomination of Hill-Lilly to the Connecticut General Assembly during the upcoming regular session in February. In the meantime, Hill-Lilly will begin serving as interim commissioner after Dorantes, who has served the department for over 30 years, departs in January.
Over 7,200 children have found permanent homes, including 2,324 adoptions, 1,794 transfers of guardianship, and 3,117 reunifications, during Dorantes' time as commissioner, which started in January 2019.
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