Jack Lu is Director of Implementation at the Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) in Farmington, Connecticut. Jack leads the dissemination and implementation of multiple evidence-based treatment initiatives for youth with behavioral health concerns. His particular focus is expanding a continuum of substance use and co-occurring disorder care that spans prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery.

At CHDI, Jack also worked as a senior project coordinator for the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC) imitative; the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) program; the Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) program; and the Mobile Crisis Performance Improvement Center.

Jack’s also the Principal Investigator for three federal grants that expand integrated, co-occurring services for youth, adults, and families. He’s the author of several peer-reviewed journal articles appearing in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Journal of Community Health, Journal of Social Work Education, among others.

Throughout his professional career, Jack has focused his work on communities that experience marginalization through direct practice, research, and scholarly activities. His primary interests include community-based participatory initiatives, health equity, refugee and immigrant communities, and models of integrated care.

After earning both an MSW and Ph.D. in social work from the UConn School of Social Work, Jack has found appreciation in the never-ending pursuit to learn and work alongside those with lived experiences to fight injustice.

“For more than 20 years, UConn has provided me with spaces to grow and evolve—to be a better, more inspired person for myself and others,” he said. “My gratitude in these opportunities afforded to me is only paid forward through the skills I am able to leverage in my career and personal life. My life is in service, and I aspire to do what many others have done before and will continue to do after me.”

Jack is often inspired by the legacies of other social justice giants and their impact, particularly the following self-reflective quote from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “Someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability. And to help repair tears in her society, to make things a little better through the use of whatever ability she has.”

Jack advises prospective and current students to find pride in how they share themselves, their culture, and find their unique skills to confront challenges faced in society.

“Show up in as many ways that you can when the work calls you to serve others,” he said. “On behalf of community health work and the many communities who I have learned from along my career path, particularly Cambodian Americans, keep in mind that to heal you is to heal me. Once a husky, always a part of the pack.”

Cassandra Marrero is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor at The Village for Families and Children in Hartford, Connecticut where she supports clinicians in providing high-quality, ethical, and trauma-informed care to children and families. In this role, she oversees and mentors clinical staff through individual and group supervision, case consultation, and documentation review, while ensuring compliance with clinical standards, organizational policies, and best practices.

Cassandra also serves as a key bridge between clinicians and organizational leadership. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Cassandra maintains her own clinical caseload, delivering trauma-informed treatment.

Since graduating from the UConn School of Social Work, Cassandra has developed a multifaceted career that reflects both clinical depth and professional growth. Her career path has included work as an outpatient clinician, clinical supervisor, and adjunct professor, allowing her to explore different dimensions of social work practice while building advanced clinical and leadership skills.

“I’ve been able to help people see their own power, strength and resilience. I hope people see that no matter what adversities they may face, they are worthy,” she says.

Cassandra completed her MSW in 2018 with a concentration in casework and was involved with the Graduate Student Organization during her time at UConn. She credits her Human Oppression course as especially influential, noting that it strengthened her understanding of systemic inequities, cultural humility, and the social worker’s role in advocating for equity and social justice—skills she applies daily in both clinical practice and supervision.

Through her work, Cassandra hopes to empower individuals and families to recognize their own strength, resilience, and inherent worth, even in the face of significant adversity.

“If you feel a call to do this work, step into it. Honor it,” she says. “It’s truly a gift to help others and it makes life so much more meaningful.”

Vannessa Dorantes has dedicated more than 30 years of her career to advancing human services and transforming public child welfare systems with vision, integrity, and compassion.
She’s currently managing director of strategic consulting and systems improvement at Casey Family Programs, where she works to improve outcomes for children and families nationwide.

Previously, she served as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) and chaired The Governor’s Kids Cabinet — advising on conditions, strategies and outcomes related to the wellbeing of state’s children. Vannessa also co-chaired Connecticut’s Alcohol & Drug Policy Council and the Governor’s Council on Women & Girls.

During her three-decade tenure with DCF, Vannessa held every position in the department’s social work job class. As a DCF regional administrator, she oversaw 43 municipalities which lead to her 2019 appointment as Commissioner managing a department budget of $868M and 3,200 staff. Vannessa also participated in several federal public policy roundtables, including one with the Vice President of the United States and U.S. Education Secretary in 2021, and testified before The New York Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 2023 as an expert witness in Child Welfare.

Vannessa earned her BA in psychology from Teikyo Post University, and an MSW from UConn SSW, focusing on casework and community organizing. She worked on this degree while employed at the DCF.

“The UCONN SSW MSW program was special because it allowed me to take courses while continuing to work at DCF. This allowed for a full integration between theory and practice,” she says. “The professors were exceptional and my advisor, Dr. Patricia Henry-Hensley, was instrumental in setting high expectations for the seriousness of our profession and that the work we were embarking upon should not be taken lightly.”

As a student, Vannessa says her most impactful field practicum was at the Clifford Beer Child Guidance Clinic in New Haven, Connecticut.

“Working directly with children and parents in a clinical setting was invaluable as I would later work within systems that would refer to community-based organizations serving these same vulnerable populations,” she says.

Vannessa served as an adjunct professor at Central Connecticut State University from 2004 until her appointment as Commissioner. She holds a certification in supervision and field instruction, has mentored countless undergraduate and graduate level interns while teaching several elective and core competency social work courses. At UConn, she served as a member of UConn School of Social Work Board of Advocates, Dean search committee, and honored as commencement speaker twice for her alma mater. In 2026, she was honored with the SSW’s Lifetime Achievement Award for making significant long-term contributions to the field of social work.

Currently, Vannessa is a member of the Board of Directors of the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) as well as the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) where she has chaired the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators (NAPCWA). She remains civically involved in her local community as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated.

Learn more about Vannessa’s work on these national news casts:
NBC’s The TODAY SHOW (2022) and NBC News with Lester Holt (2023)