Gov. Ned Lamont announced Tuesday that Susan Hamilton, a long-time West Hartford resident, will serve as interim commissioner of the Department of Children and Families.

By Ronni Newton

Susan Hamilton, currently the general counsel for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, has been appointed by Gov. Ned Lamont to serve as interim commissioner of the agency according to an announcement released on Tuesday.

This is the second time that Hamilton will lead DCF. She served as commissioner from 2007 until 2011, under former Gov. M. Jodi Rell. Hamilton will succeed Jodi Hill-Lilly, the former commissioner who previously announced her retirement from state service effective Monday, Sept. 1.

“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve again as the DCF commissioner to help lead an incredible and dedicated team who work tirelessly to promote the safety, permanency, and well-being of Connecticut’s children and families,” Hamilton said in a statement. “We will continue to work together with our partners, including our families, youths, providers, sister state agencies, the legislature, and the Judicial branch to ensure a smooth transition and improved outcomes for the children and families we collectively serve. I want to thank Governor Lamont for placing his trust in me and for his continued support of our important mission.”

“Sue began her career at DCF, first working as a social worker and providing intensive case management for children and families in their homes and communities, and then eventually progressing in several positions before being appointed as commissioner and leading this agency for several years,” Lamont said. “She returned two years ago to serve as general counsel, and her extensive experience makes her ready to immediately step back into the role as commissioner for a second stint. The services DCF provides – safeguarding some of the most vulnerable youths in our state – are among the most important in government, and it is a function whose work never stops.”

Hamilton, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and justice studies from the University of New Hampshire, a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, and a Juris Doctor degree from the UConn School of Law, has been general counsel for DCF since 2023.

She first joined DCF as a social worker in 1993, and served in supervisory roles from 1995 to 1998. From 1998 through 2006 she was director of the agency’s legal division, before being appointed commissioner in 2007, serving until the end of Rell’s term as governor. She also previously served as undersecretary of legislative affairs at the Office of Policy and Management immediately prior to being appointed DCF commissioner.

After leaving DCF, Hamilton returned to the legal field, operating her own private law firm from 2011 to 2014, and then becoming a public defender from 2014 through 2023. During that time she spent several years as director of delinquency defense and child protection, supervising all public defender staff assigned to juvenile court field offices, including attorneys, social workers, investigators, and support staff. 

Hamilton also previously served as president of the Bridge Family Center Board of Directors.

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