Somers appoints NL Human Services Director to children’s behavioral health panel

For Immediate Release

Sen. Somers Appoints NL Human Services Director Milstein to panel tasked with transforming CT’s children’s behavioral health system

Sen. Heather Somers (R-Groton), Ranking Senator on the legislature’s Public Health Committee, has appointed New London Director of Human Services Jeanne Milstein to a new state panel tasked with transforming Connecticut’s youth behavioral mental health system.

“We have a children’s mental health crisis in Connecticut, and I can think of no one better to help address it than Jeanne,” Somers said in naming Milstein to the Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee. “Jeanne has had a long and distinguished career in public service to children and families in Connecticut. She will be an excellent addition to the committee, and I thank her for volunteering her services.”

“I am deeply grateful to Sen. Somers for this appointment,” Milstein said. “Sen. Somers has been a leader for better health outcomes for children and families in Connecticut, and I look forward to our continued work together as well as the transformational work of the Committee.”

The group, which will meet monthly beginning in September, is tasked with making pathways to behavioral health care more accessible, understandable and effective. It will analyze data, evaluate best practices and address the gaps in mental health and substance abuse care in order to ensure that children and families across Connecticut receive timely and effective services. It will also examine ways to attract graduates and professionals to the behavioral health field and ensure that the state’s investments in this area are paying off.

Prior to her service to New London, Milstein served as Connecticut’s Child Advocate from 2000 to 2012, an independent state agency responsible for overseeing the care and protection of children. The Office of the Child Advocate is often referred to as the “watchdog agency” for children. She is a graduate of Cornell University.