As Chair of the board of directors of Connecticut Voices for Children, I’d like to congratulate Jamey Bell, Executive Director of Connecticut Voices, who was appointed on September 4 by Governor Malloy to the position of Child Advocate for the State of Connecticut.  As the Child Advocate, Jamey Bell will evaluate, investigate, and review how services are provided to children who are involved with state agencies and programs.  While the staff and board of Connecticut Voices are sad to see Jamey leave, we know that the state’s most vulnerable children will be well-served with such a strong and informed advocate working hard on their behalf.

In her role at Connecticut Voices, Jamey Bell has overseen our work in child welfare reform, including our successful, collaborative efforts to ensure that siblings who are separated in foster care can maintain contact with each other, and that more foster children are placed in family rather than institutional settings.  Across this and other issues, she has brought together strong leadership, a sharp intellect, and consensus building skills to advocate for better services and opportunities for children and families.  She has led our interdisciplinary approach to promoting child and family well-being, recognizing that the next generation needs quality early care and K-12 education experiences, accessible health care, economic opportunities, and the public investments to support these services.

We will soon launch a thorough and careful search for a new executive director.  During this transition period, the Board and staff of Connecticut Voices for Children will ensure that our high-quality research, policy analysis, and advocacy will continue.

Jean Adnopoz
Chair, Board of Directors