Gov Lamont Appoints Elena Trueworthy State Commissioner of Office of Early Childhood
Gov Ned Lamont (D) announced that he has appointed prominent former New Britain resident Elena Trueworthy to be Commissioner of the Connecticut state Office of Early Childhood (OEC). Trueworthy is to succeed Commissioner Beth Bye who announced retirement from state service.
Gov Lamont’s office said that, “Trueworthy has been with OEC since 2019, first as the director of the agency’s Head Start State Collaboration Office, and then in 2023 she was appointed deputy commissioner.”
“I am truly honored for this opportunity to lead the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood and continue the positive momentum and critical work of the agency,” Deputy Commissioner Trueworthy said. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with partners, providers, and families to build upon and implement the collective vision of an early childhood system that supports children and families to thrive.”
Gov Lamont honored Bye for her years of work in his administration, saying, “Beth Bye is one of the most caring, compassionate, and energetic people that I know, and her passion for the development and wellness of the youngest members of our communities knows no bounds. Because of Beth’s advocacy and work in our administration, Connecticut is in the process of adding thousands of new early childhood education slots that will improve lives forever.”
Prior to her service with the OEC, Gov Lamont’s office said, Trueworthy, “was associate director of early childhood investments with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, where she co-managed a portfolio of grants that support child health, parent education and leadership, community engagement, family child care, bilingual career pathways, and program capacity building. She also worked from 2011 to 2016 as the director of the organization’s Hartford Area Child Care Collaborative, in which she led a 350-member collaborative to improve child care quality and access. From 2001 to 2011, she worked in two Head Start positions with the Human Resources Agency in New Britain, including as the special services senior manager and as family and community development manager.”
“An active member of her community,” Gov Lamont’s office said, “Deputy Commissioner Trueworthy has volunteered with several organizations, including the Connecticut Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission and various local community-led groups to promote and advance the strengths of diversity. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in human services from Springfield College.”
The governor said he will submit his nomination of Trueworthy to the state legislature for confirmation at the start of its 2026 regular session in February to permanently fill the position.
