West Hartford's Sarah Eagan Appointed State's Next Child Advocate

Sarah Eagan, of West Hartford, has been named the state’s next child advocate, according to a press release from Gov. Dannel Malloy’s office.

Eagan will take over the post Sept. 9 and await legislative confirmation of her appointment. As child advocate, Eagan will monitor child welfare agencies and policies to protect and care for children, particularly those who have been abused, neglected or arrested.

“Sarah Eagan has extensive experience advocating for the needs of children, particularly those in our society who are most vulnerable and in need of a vocal proponent on their behalf,” Malloy said.

According to the CT Mirror, Eagan has been critical of the Department of Child and Family Services, citing an overreliance on group homes for foster children, lack of mental health screenings for infants and lack of services available for children who age out of the system at 18.

She has previously served as Director of the Child Abuse Project with the Center for Children’s Advocacy in Hartford and as an attorney with Shipman & Goodwin.

“I am honored, humbled and very grateful to the Governor for providing me this opportunity to work on behalf of the state’s children and their families,” Eagan said. “The courage of the children I have had the privilege to meet or represent, as well as the dedication and generosity of the adults who care for them, inspire me to serve on their behalf."