Kathleen Brennan

Adjunct Professor and Deputy Commissioner, CT Dept. of Social Services

School of Public Policy

Education

B.A. Political Science and Philosophy, State University of New York at Binghamton
Juris Doctor, Vermont Law School

Kathleen M. Brennan

Kathy is a twenty-two year veteran of the State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services, currently serving as Deputy Commissioner since her 2011 appointment by Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby.  DSS, as Connecticut’s health and human services agency, serves about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 cities and towns, supporting the basic needs of children, families and individuals, including older adults and persons with disabilities.  With service partners, DSS provides health care coverage, food and nutrition assistance, financial assistance, child support services, energy aid, independent living services, social work services, protective services for the elderly, home-heating aid, and additional vital assistance.

Kathy currently oversees the Department’s Division of Health Services, the Office of Child Support Services including the Fatherhood Program, Office of Community Services, Social Work Services and the Office of Quality Assurance.  She has played a key role in the state’s implementation of various initiatives and represents the Department before the General Assembly, on boards and commissions.

Kathy has also served as the Division Director for contract procurement, administration and purchasing and continues to provide guidance and serve as a subject matter expert.  Kathy actively promotes fair, reasonable and consistent contracting practices and has served as the co-chair of the Contract Procurement and Administration Workgroup of the Governor’s Cabinet on Nonprofit Health and Human Services, working collaboratively with human service providers to identify and implement best practices in state contracting.