(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today is congratulating Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly on accepting a position as the director of the Child Well-Being Program at the Doris Duke Foundation, a nationwide organization that, among other things, advocates for children’s healthy development and protection from abuse and neglect.
Commissioner Hill-Lilly plans to retire from her position with the state effective September 1, 2025, to pursue the new professional opportunity. She has served as commissioner of DCF since January 2024 upon her nomination by Governor Lamont.
“Over the last 37 years, Jodi has risen through the ranks at DCF, first starting as a case management social worker and then increasing through several positions before becoming commissioner last year, and I am so appreciative of her dedication to strengthening and improving the lives of Connecticut’s children and families,” Governor Lamont said. “Jodi is one of the hardest working and most compassionate people I know, and her service to our state has absolutely made a positive impact on the lives of our youngest and most vulnerable residents. The selfless work she provided Connecticut over nearly four decades is to be applauded. Jodi truly stands as an example of what it means to serve the public and care about your community and its future, which is why I am not at all surprised that a nationwide child advocacy organization saw her talents and asked her to join their team. It has been an honor to serve with Jodi – we will miss her, and I thank her for all she’s done to uplift and protect our children.”
“For the past 37 years, my life’s calling has been to protect children while supporting and empowering their families,” Commissioner Hill-Lilly said. “When I began my journey as a frontline social worker in DCF’s New Haven office, I would have never imagined the path my life’s journey has taken. It was an honor to serve as deputy commissioner during COVID – some of the toughest and emotional times in our communities and those our staff – the DCF family – would ever have to endure. It was with great humility that I accepted the nomination to become commissioner, and I am grateful for the trust and support Governor Lamont and his entire team had in me in leading what almost everyone refers to as the hardest job in state government.
“Over the past 18 months, I was reminded daily of the critical role we all play in the lives of children. While there is still much work ahead, I’m proud of the work we have done together in the system, including the most recent launch of our new CT KIND computer system after decades of development. I will forever carry with me the people I’ve met, our accomplishments and challenges, as well as the stories and quiet heroism I’ve witnessed along the way. I see you. I honor you. As I step into this national role, I do so with hope and urgency, knowing our most vulnerable need us now more than ever. My roots and my heart will always be in the great State of Connecticut.”
Commissioner Hill-Lilly is both locally and nationally recognized for her work in child welfare, and she is especially known for the development of the agency’s Mentoring and Leadership Development Programs, including the most recent Executive Fellowship Program. She is a proud Annie E. Casey Fellow and has served on countless boards and committees across the country. She is the co-chair of the National Partnership on Child Safety and is a highly sought-after speaker and presenter.