Regional Human Service Coordinating Council

Co-Chairs

Deborah Monahan, Executive Director, TVCCA
Kathleen Stauffer, CEO, The Arc of Eastern Connecticut

Staff Contact

Amanda Kennedy, AICP
Assistant Director/Director of Special Projects
akennedy@seccog.org

In 2011, the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments identified a need for greater coordination between human services agencies. SCCOG formed the state’s first Regional Human Services Coordinating Council (RHSCC), which is comprised of representatives from the region’s municipalities, State agencies, and non-profit human service organizations.

In 2013, the Connecticut General Assembly passed Public Act 13-247, which required Regional Councils of Governments to convene human services coordinating councils. This legislation cemented the role of the RHSCC and provides that human services coordinating councils meet to:

  • Ensure that regional plans and activities are coordinated with the human service needs of each region; and
  • Develop approaches to improve service delivery and achieve cost savings in the region.

January 21

April 22*

July 15 CANCELED

October 21

December 16

*This meeting is moved to the fourth Friday to avoid conflict with Good Friday

January 21
Minutes | Audio | Video

April 22*
Minutes | Audio | Video

July 15 CANCELED

October 21
Minutes | Audio | Video

December 16
Minutes | Audio | Video

*This meeting is moved to the fourth Friday to avoid conflict with Good Friday

Officers

Co-Chair: Deborah Monahan
Co-Chair: Kathleen Stauffer


Deborah Monahan
Executive Director, Thames Valley Council for Community Action

Kathleen Stauffer
Chief Executive Officer, Arc of Eastern Connecticut

Cathy Zall
Executive Director, New London Homeless Hospitality Center

Connie Hilbert
Executive Director, Mohegan Tribal Health & Human Services Department

Carrie Dyer
Chief Executive Officer, Reliance House

Dina Sears-Graves
Vice President, Community Impact, United Way of Southeastern Connecticut

Gino DeMaio
Chief Executive Officer, Sound Community Services

Jack Malone
Executive Director, Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

James Butler
Executive Director, Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments

Jeanne Millstein
Director of Human Services, City of New London

Jennifer Granger
President/Chief Executive Officer, United Community and Family Services

Joan Wessell
Executive Director, Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging

Peter De Rosa
Executive Director, Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board

Kevin Lyden
First Selectman, Town of Salem

Leanne Theodore
Human Services Manager, Town of Stonington

Mary DeMarco
Director, Windham Human Services

Nancy Gentes
Executive Director, Madonna Place

Peter DeRosa
Program Director, Natchaug Hospital

Allison Blake
Chief Operating Officer, Child and Family Agency

Ron McDaniel
Mayor, Town of Montville

Allon Kalisher
Regional Administrator, Department of Children and Families

Carin Mancini
Assistant Regional Director, Department of Developmental Services

Juanita Estrada
Supervisor of Office of Local Health Admin, Department of Public Health

Michael Keleher
Regional Manager, Adult Probation, Judicial Branch

Stephenie Guess
Director, Community Outreach and Program Development, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Tom Maskell
Executive Assistant, Community Relations and Legislative Affairs, Department of Correction

Mary Bylone
First Selectwoman, Town of Colchester

Patrick McCormack
Director of Health, Uncas Health District

Laurel Holmes
Director of Community Partnerships and Population Health, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital

Lee-Ann Gomes
Human Services Director, City of Norwich Human Services

Vacancies: CT Department of Children and Families, CT Department of Developmental Services, CT Judicial Branch- Court Services Division, CT Department of Correction, and CT Department of Education

Human Services Providers Shared Services Study

In December 2018, SCCOG completed a study with the intent of:

  • Identifying opportunities for resource sharing and collaboration between human services organizations;
  • Quantifying potential cost savings and increased service to clients; and
  • Outlining a process for implementation of study recommendations.

revised version of this study was completed in April 2019. The resultant study identified four key contributing factors to the state of collaboration and competition in the human services sector of southeastern Connecticut:

  • Rising costs;
  • Dependence on declining sources of funding;
  • Lack of strategic and transition planning; and
  • Lack of service coordination across the region.

In order to address these challenges facing human service providers and the sector overall, the study resulted in a set of recommendations that will support more sustainable models for service provision.