SC Connecticut News

[NEW HAVEN, CT] – On June 29, Mayor Justin Elicker announced Eliza Halsey as his nominee to serve as the next Community Services Administrator for the City of New Haven. Halsey will replace Dr. Mehul Dalal (pronounced: mey-hool duh-laal) who has served in the position since January 2020 and accepted a new position as Chief Policy Advisor at the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

A direct report to the mayor and senior management position in city government, the Community Services Administrator is responsible for overseeing several departments, divisions and offices, including: the Department of Community Resilience, the Department of Elderly Services, the Financial Empowerment Center, the Food System Policy Division, the Health Department, the Office of Housing and Homelessness Services, the Office of Community Mental Health Initiatives, the Youth and Recreation Department and, as of July 1st, the New Haven Free Public Library.

“The Community Services Administrator is one of the most important positions in city government, and we are fortunate to have had Dr. Dalal at the helm through some of the most challenging times we’ve faced as a city. Since day one of my time as mayor, I have relied on Dr. Dalal’s counsel and judgement as we navigated through the pandemic and taken on the vexing challenges of substance use, mental health crises, homelessness and gun violence, among others. There are more New Haveners alive, well and thriving On June 29 thanks to Dr. Dalal. He is an exceptional leader, innovative problem solver and dedicated public servant, and now the entire state stands to benefit from his service,” said Mayor Elicker. Elicker continued, “Similarly, I am confident New Haveners will be well-served by Eliza Halsey who brings a wealth of local knowledge and over twenty years of subject matter expertise in child, youth and community development. Eliza has a proven track record of starting, growing and managing new and innovative programs and organizations that have changed the trajectory and improved the life outcomes of New Haven residents. I look forward to her fresh perspective and the new ideas she will bring to the table as we seek to further strengthen the important work of the Community Services Administration.”

Dalal’s last day will be July 13th and Halsey’s first day will be August 28th. During the interim period between Dalal’s departure and Halsey’s start, Mayor Elicker has named City Health Director Maritza Bond as Interim Community Services Administrator. Halsey’s nomination as Community Services Administrator is also subject to confirmation by the New Haven Board of Alders with 180 days of her appointment, as required by the City Charter.

“It has been an honor to serve in the role of Community Services Administrator for the City of New Haven. I have abundant gratitude for the confidence Mayor Elicker placed in me over the past three and a half years to carry out the vital functions of this office. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside a leadership team and staff fiercely dedicated to improving people’s lives in New Haven. I hope they know their work is seen and appreciated,” said Dr. Dalal. “I’m particularly grateful to the local elected leaders, community members, activists, and non-profit leaders that challenged us to keep New Haven residents, particularly those in difficult and vulnerable circumstances, at the center of what we do. I leave knowing this important work is on the right track and the office will be in capable hands moving forward.”

Under Dr. Dalal’s leadership, the Community Services Administration has effectively responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and advanced initiatives to provide compassionate service to those most in need including: the establishment of the COVID-19 respite shelter for unhoused individuals needing COVID-19 isolation and recovery services, the creation of the Elm City COMPASS community crisis response team to provide a social services response to individuals experiencing crisis, and the establishment of the Department of Community Resilience to coordinate efforts and resources around violence prevention, housing, mental health, and reentry services. Dalal speaks about his experiences about reimagining public health in a recent Tedx talk, which can be viewed here (link).

“As a life-long New Havener committed to the well-being and inclusive growth of our city, I am thrilled to serve in this new capacity and build on the important work of Dr. Dalal and his team,” said incoming Community Services Administrator Halsey. “I look forward to collaborating with Mayor Elicker, residents, community partners and our elected leaders to further the City's progress, to provide high-quality services and impactful programs and to advance opportunity so that more New Haveners have the ability to thrive.”

Halsey brings to the position a proven track record of implementing, managing, and growing innovative educational and community-based programs. Since 2015, Halsey has served as executive director of Elm City Montessori School, a Pre-K to 8th grade school in New Haven, a school she founded where she managed the school’s operations, strategic planning, human resources, finances, fundraising, facilities, and external partnerships, among other responsibilities. Prior to that, Halsey served as New Haven Director for All Our Kin, a local and national nonprofit leader in early childhood education, where she was responsible for managing the organization’s New Haven staff, operations and Early Head Start program. Earlier in her career, Halsey was the founding staff member of Public Allies Connecticut and was promoted to more senior regional and national leadership positions within organization. She also served as the AmeriCorps Director and Youth Program Coordinator for Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership (LEAP), a heralded local nonprofit that serves and supports New Haven youth. Halsey has also volunteered and served on numerous local nonprofit boards and organizations, and currently sits on the executive committee of the New Haven Early Childhood Council.

Halsey received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and Master of Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University. She resides in New Haven with her husband and three children. 

PRESS CONTACT:

Lenny H. Speiller; (203) 725-4249; Lspeiller@newhavenct.gov

Original source can be found here.