Social Services boss
Gifford has served as federal administrator
Deidre Gifford, a federal deputy director at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has been chosen by Gov. Ned Lamont to serve as the next Connecticut Department of Social Services commissioner. Gifford said she wants to find nontraditional approaches to improve community health in the state. The provisional appointment will begin June 21.
Deidre Gifford, a federal deputy director at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has been chosen by Gov. Ned Lamont to serve as the next Connecticut Department of Social Services commissioner.
Gifford, who is also a doctor, has experience with federal programs that will help innovate and improve Connecticut’s social services, Lamont said in a
Friday morning press release. Lamont’s goals for DSS include cutting costs while finding new tools to help the system benefit consumers.
“I am excited that she has agreed to come to Connecticut and help reform these efforts here — her input is going to be a big benefit as we move forward in these streamlining endeavors,” Lamont said.
The provisional appointment will begin June 21. Gifford’s salary will be $205,000 per year if she is confirmed by the General Assembly.
Gifford said she wants to find nontraditional approaches to improve community health in the state.
“Under Governor Lamont’s leadership, Connecticut has a unique opportunity to enhance the coordination and efficiency of government services in truly innovative ways that will make a real difference,” Gifford said.
Since 2016, Gifford has served as Deputy Director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services in Washington, D.C, according to the release. Before that she was the Director of State Policy and Programs at the National Association of Medicaid Directors.
Gifford worked in Rhode Island from 2012 to 2015 where she served separately as medical and Medicaid director. Before that, she co-founded Rhode Island’s Medical Home demonstration, a multi-payer payment reform system.
She also directed Rhode Island’s Medicare Quality Improvement Organization from 1998 to 2008.
Gifford obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles where she also later completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency and a Master of Public Health in epidemiology. She has a medical degree from Cornell University Medical College.