Building on A Decade of Progress: A Strategic Vision for Connecticut's Youth
Our inaugural webinar, Building on a Decade of Progress: A Strategic Vision for Connecticut’s Youth examined Connecticut’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the system for children and youth.
Our distinguished panel of experts and stakeholders led a comprehensive discussion on:
- A look examining a decade of legislative and policy reforms that have shaped positive change for youth justice.
- Explored collaborative system responses to ongoing challenges.
- Discussed the role of the TCB Committee in leading impactful outcomes for youth.
- Analyzed the new JJPOC strategic plan and system-wide reforms.
- Looked deep into the “Young People First” — a groundbreaking plan to reform the crisis response system and re-engage at-risk and disconnected youth.
Meet Our Speakers
Moderator
Co-Chair Judiciary Vice-Chair Education
Sen. Gary Winfield has served in the Connecticut General Assembly since 2014, advocating for critical reforms in criminal justice and social equity. He was instrumental in legislation to reduce police use of force and raise the age for juvenile prosecution. Winfield also championed the creation of racial and ethnic impact statements, positioning Connecticut as the first state to implement such measures. His commitment to improving community relations with law enforcement is evident through his sponsorship of laws enhancing transparency and accountability. A graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, he continues to focus on policies that empower marginalized communities.
Rep. Toni Walker
JJPOC Co-Chair Appropriations Committee House Chair
Rep. Toni Walker is a champion of change and is deeply committed to New Haven and Connecticut’s youth, education, and social justice. As House Chair of the Appropriations Committee and co-chair of the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee, she has led key juvenile justice reforms, including raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction.
Rep. Toni Walker serves in influential roles, including Vice-Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Human Services Committee and the Council of State Governments’ ERC Criminal Justice Advisory Board. She is also an active member of the CT Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and the Commission on Children. Her leadership continues to shape a brighter future for Connecticut’s children and families.
Rep. Tammy Exum
TCB Tri-Chair Appropriations Committee Vice Chair
Rep. Tammy Exum has been a strong voice for education, children’s behavioral health, and disability rights since her election in 2019. As Tri-Chair of the Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Planning and Policy Committee, she leads efforts to improve services for children. Her influence extends statewide through her positions as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Deputy Majority Leader. Notably, she co-authored HB 5001, a landmark bill addressing children’s behavioral health. Furthermore, she championed a disability workforce pipeline initiative to expand career opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Rep. Exum’s commitment to inclusivity is rooted in her prior experience as Vice Chair of the West Hartford Board of Education and a founding member of the West Hartford Special Education PTA.
Sen. Ceci Maher
TCB Tri-Chair Children Committee Chair
Sen.Ceci Maher combines a profound dedication to the well-being of children with extensive experience in social services and program development. As Tri-Chair of Connecticut’s Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Planning and Policy Committee and Chair of the Children’s Committee, she is committed to driving transformative change for children and families across the state. With a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University, she has a proven track record of spearheading impactful initiatives, including expanding Person-to-Person’s services to support 25,000 individuals annually and overseeing programs that provide over 2 million meals yearly in Fairfield County. Senator Maher’s leadership in community well-being is further demonstrated by her role as interim executive director of Sandy Hook Promise, where she advanced gun violence prevention through the nationally recognized ‘Know the Signs’ program. Driven by compassion and strategic vision, Sen. Maher is committed to building safer, healthier communities for all.
Thea Montañez
Senior Advisor to Governor Ned Lamont
Thea Montañez serves as Senior Advisor in the Governor’s Office of Connecticut, where she leads initiatives connecting residents to educational, economic, and social resources. Previously, she was Chief Operating Officer for the City of Hartford, successfully managing municipal challenges and developing programs for survivors of violence and justice-involved individuals. As founder of the North Hartford Promise Zone, she secured federal designation to expand community opportunities. Recognized as a “Champion of Children” and one of Connecticut’s “50 Most Influential Latinos,” she actively serves on the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee. A graduate of Syracuse University, Thea is dedicated to fostering equity and inclusion across the state.
Joseph DeLong
Executive Director and CEO Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
Joe DeLong is CCM’s Executive Director & CEO. He received his Master of
Business Administration from West Virginia University (WVU). While attending
WVU he was a standout athlete on the football team and helped the Mountaineers to
an undefeated regular season in 1993.
Prior to joining CCM in April 2015, DeLong spent time as a State House Majority
Leader and the Chief Executive of a $100 million public/private corporation.
Chris Lyddy
Director of Partnerships, Dalio Education
Chris Liddy serves as the Director of Partnerships at Dalio Education, where he leads transformative initiatives for children and families. With a wealth of leadership experience across Connecticut, Chris previously served as Chief Operating Officer for the Office of Early Childhood and as a State Representative for Newtown. He holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and has championed trauma-informed practices nationwide. His extensive policy work includes consulting for the Office of the Child Advocate and serving on the Connecticut Child Fatality Review Panel, where he has driven impactful policy changes to enhance child well-being.
Erica Soares, Youth Representative
Erica Soares is a dedicated community leader and youth advocate who currently serves as the Executive Administrative Assistant at Waterbury PAL. She is passionate about empowering young people and has spearheaded impactful initiatives such as the Inspire Girls Academy and the Summer Youth Employment program. Erica has also organized large-scale community events and serves as a mentor and basketball coach, instilling valuable life skills in young athletes. With extensive experience in program development, grant writing, and partnership building, Erica secures funding and expands program reach. She is a strong advocate for inclusion, serving as a liaison for Special Olympics CT and Unified Sports. Erica’s commitment to youth development is evident in her work, her volunteerism, and her pursuit of policy changes to benefit her community.
Rania Das
Rania Das, a high school junior from New Haven, Connecticut, is a passionate advocate for juvenile justice reform. Inspired by her research and interviews on the topic, Rania serves as a Youth Representative on the New Haven Youth Commission and actively participates in committees focused on at-risk youth. 1 She champions proactive interventions, such as integrating social-emotional learning in schools, and collaborates with justice-involved youth and families to ensure their voices are heard in policymaking. Furthermore, Rania explores the intersection of arts and juvenile mental health, advocating for arts-based interventions within the justice system. Through her multifaceted efforts, Rania is working to create a more just and supportive system for young people.