Connecticut Early Childhood Commissioner Announces Retirement

In a big shift for Connecticut’s early childhood education leadership, Governor Ned Lamont says Office of Early Childhood (OEC) Commissioner Beth Bye will retire from state service on October 1, 2025.

Bye has led the OEC since January 2019. She plans to pursue a Master of Social Work degree and start working directly with kids and families in health care settings.

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Her time at the OEC saw major expansions in early childhood education programs, reaching families from Hartford to Stamford. She leaves behind a system that’s stronger and ready for new leadership.

Beth Bye’s Transformative Tenure at the OEC

Governor Lamont says Bye’s leadership sparked growth and new ideas for Connecticut’s youngest learners. Over nearly seven years, she helped create thousands of new early childhood education slots.

That meant more families—especially in places like New Haven, Waterbury, and Bridgeport—could get affordable, high-quality care. Lamont called her “compassionate, energetic, and deeply committed” to the wellbeing of young children.

Those qualities earned her respect in both education and politics. Bye’s advocacy matched state resources to what communities actually needed, strengthening programs in towns like Middletown, Danbury, and Norwalk.

Why She’s Moving On

Bye says she’s leaving to follow a personal and professional calling. She wants to work directly with children and families in clinical and healthcare settings, shifting from policy to hands-on support.

This change fits with her lifelong focus on child development and family wellbeing.

Elena Trueworthy to Step In

The governor announced that Deputy Commissioner Elena Trueworthy will step in as interim commissioner when Bye leaves in October 2025. Trueworthy knows Connecticut’s early childhood system inside and out—she’s spent over 20 years designing, funding, and expanding programs for kids from birth to age five.

Her work has touched communities from Greenwich to Torrington, where early education is a top concern for families and policymakers.

Planned Permanent Appointment in 2026

Trueworthy will serve as interim commissioner at first, but Governor Lamont already plans to formally nominate her for the job when the General Assembly meets in February 2026.

He’s confident her “extensive knowledge of how Connecticut’s early childhood system operates” will keep things moving smoothly. Trueworthy has partnered with school districts, nonprofits, and city leaders to address challenges like preschool access, training early childhood educators, and improving program quality.

Impact on Connecticut Families

This leadership change comes at a time when early childhood education matters more than ever for Connecticut families. Communities all over—from Bristol to New London—depend on these programs to prep kids for school and support working parents.

During Bye’s time, efforts to boost access made a real difference in underserved neighborhoods, cutting waitlists and helping more kids succeed. Her departure is definitely the end of an era, but the policies she put in place and the team she built should keep things moving forward.

Looking to the Future

With Trueworthy set to take the helm, a lot of stakeholders feel hopeful about where early childhood policy is headed. Her expected appointment in 2026 could give Connecticut a chance to keep current programs going and try out new ideas that fit what kids need now.

Expanding preschool access across the state
Offering more training and resources for early childhood educators
Teaming up with healthcare providers to support families
Keeping equity and inclusion at the heart of early learning programs

Connecticut’s focus on its youngest residents is something people here take seriously—maybe even a little personally. With steady leadership, the state could easily stay at the forefront of early education, though nothing’s ever guaranteed.

As October 2025 gets closer, folks from Stamford to Hartford are paying attention. Beth Bye leaves a legacy of commitment and hard work. Now, Elena Trueworthy steps up to shape the next chapter in Connecticut’s push to give every child a strong start.

Here is the source article for this story: Connecticut Office of Early Childhood commissioner retires

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