Connecticut Selected to Participate in Casey Foundation Children's Health Leadership Network

CHDI's Jeff Vanderploeg to serve on Connecticut team

Connecticut was one of two states selected to participate in the fourth class of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Children's Health Leadership Network, part of the Foundation's Results Count® leadership development initiative. According to the Foundation, the 18-month program (2025-2027) will "support participants in building skills for system reform and stakeholder advocacy to improve health and well-being for all children in the United States and, most specifically, children at greatest risk for poor health outcomes." CHDI's President and CEO, Jeff Vanderploeg, PhD, will serve on the Connecticut team.

Each team includes public sector leaders and advocates who represent the lived experiences of families and youth affected by behavioral health systems. With a focus on children and youth with moderate to high behavioral health care needs and their families, the teams will collaborate across agencies and sectors to redesign systems to better meet the behavioral health needs of all children, youth, and families.

In addition to Dr. Vanderploeg, other Connecticut team members include:

• Catherine Foley Geib, Director of Juvenile Clinical, Education, and Residential Service, Connecticut Judicial Branch, Court Support Services Division

• Nicole Taylor, Chief Administrator of Behavioral Health, Connecticut Children and Families

• Samaris Rose, Founder, AskSammy Resources

• Michael C. Williams, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Children and Families

• Frank Gregory, Administrator, Connecticut Department of Children and Families

• Fatmata Williams, Deputy Medicaid Director, Connecticut Department of Social Services

Our partners at The Innovations Institute at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work are co-designing and co-facilitating the program.

"The children's behavioral health system in Connecticut has made great progress in recent years, but there is still so much more to do," says Vanderploeg. "I'm excited to work with this group of passionate, dedicated leaders to continue strengthening this system so that all children and families in our state can access high-quality care."

Read more about the initiative on the Casey Foundation's website