We're excited to announce two new staff and a Yale fellowship intern that have joined Connecticut Voices! Please join us in welcoming them.
Tamara Kramer is familiar to many who have worked with Connecticut Voices, since she previously worked at Voices as a Policy Fellow from 2008 to 2010. She is rejoining us through December as a Research and Policy Project Manager. As in her past work, she will focus on issues related to early childhood education, juvenile justice and child welfare. Prior to joining CT Voices in 2008, Tamara interned with Judith Blei Government Relations, where she worked with a variety of not-for-profit clients, representing interests ranging from the environment to children’s health.
Tamara received her B.A. in Political Science and, in 2013, her J.D. from the University of Connecticut. While in law school, she continued to pursue her interest in advocacy and policy through internships at the Center for Children’s Advocacy and the National Health Law Program. While at the National Health Law Program, Tamara’s work focused on the Medicaid expansion included in the Affordable Care Act as well as initiatives regarding access to birth control for low income women.
Edie Joseph is our new Policy Fellow at Connecticut Voices for Children. Our policy fellowship program, aimed at fostering the next generation of child advocates, provides two-year positions to exceptional recent college graduates with a strong interest in advancing public policy to benefit children and youth. Edie’s research and policy analysis will focus primarily on juvenile justice and early care and education. She will assist in state legislative initiatives and represent Connecticut Voices on several advocacy coalitions in these issue areas.
Prior to joining Connecticut Voices, Edie worked in New York City at The Bronfman Fellowships, a learning and leadership program, and also volunteered with an alternative-to-incarceration program for teenage boys. She graduated with a BA in American Studies from Yale University in 2012. At Yale, Edie coordinated debate programs in New Haven public high schools, was a leader in the Jewish community, and served as a Head Freshman Counselor through the Yale College Dean’s Office.
Brooke Girley will be working with Connecticut Voices for Children this summer as a Yale Presidential Public Service Fellow. Connecticut Voices was honored to be selected as a placement for this fellowship among many applicants. The program provides opportunities for Yale students to work on behalf of economic development, human development, and neighborhood revitalization with public sector and nonprofit organizations in New Haven.
At Connecticut Voices, Brooke will be researching racial and ethnic disparities in the use of oral health care services among children in the HUSKY program. She received her Bachelors of Arts from New York University as a double major in Religious Studies and Africana Studies. After earning her law degree from Duke Law School, she worked as a civil rights and criminal defense attorney. Currently she is studying for a Master of Arts in Religious Studies at the Yale Divinity School, with a concentration in Black Religion in the African Diaspora.
- Issue Areas:
- Child Welfare, Early Care, Health, Juvenile Justice
While an 18th birthday traditionally marks the onset of the age of majority, for most young people, transitioning from adolescence to adulthood is a gradual process, guided by support from parents and peers. However, for young people who grow up in foster care and for whom the Connecticut Department of Children and Families is responsible, the transition to adulthood can be sudden and painful. Many of these young people don’t have long-term, stable relationships with parents or mentors who can help them learn how to take on adult responsibilities. Instead, the State of Connecticut is their legal guardian. When these children turn 18 and the State’s legal responsibility for them ends, many struggle with their sudden independence and loss of support.
Please join us in welcoming 
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