Steering Committee Members
Steering Committee Co-Chairs
Steve DiLella, CT Department of Housing (DOH):
During this timeframe, Steve has managed all state funded homeless service programs including homeless outreach, homeless diversion, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing, as well as assisting in the creation of Connecticut’s Coordinated Entry System. Connecticut has over 5000 units of permanent supportive housing and over $3 million dollars of funding for rapid rehousing for homeless individuals and families. Within the 5000 units of permanent supportive housing are various special initiatives that target homeless individuals and families that are high cost users of institutional settings. Steve has also pushed the Connecticut homeless service system toward a housing first and low barrier model and has instituted harm reduction policies in all homeless programs. Steve has also collaborated with other state agencies, including the Departments of Social Services, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Children and Families, Veterans Affairs and Correction to create housing programs for those agencies target populations. In addition to Steve’s roles with DOH, he serves as the Co-Chair for the Connecticut Balance of State Continuum of Care, which has leveraged significant resources over the past ten years to create more permanent supportive housing units for the disabled homeless population.
Contact Steve at steve.dilella@ct.gov
Stephanie Lazarus, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH):
Stephanie is also the consultant for CSH’s Consumer Leadership Involvement Project (CLIP).
Contact Stephanie at slazarus@reliancehealthinc.org
John Merz, Advancing Connecticut Together (ACT):
ACT serves as the AIDS Housing TA/QA provider, the statewide Rapid ReHousing fiduciary, and oversees the Point-in-Time project. John serves as the treasurer of the LGBTQ Justice and Opportunity Network, and is a Governor appointee on the Hate Crimes Advisory Council. John holds an M.Div. from Yale University Divinity School and an M.B.A. from the University of Connecticut.
Contact John at JMerz@act-ct.org
Alice Minervino, CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS):
Prior to her position with DMHAS, Alice worked for the New Haven Shelter Plus Care program and Columbus House, Inc., an emergency shelter and permanent housing provider in New Haven, CT. Alice received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT.
Contact at Alice.Minervino.ct.gov
Community Representatives
Tania Banks, Community Rep
Melissa Dzierlatka, Community Rep:
Jayse Frost, Community Rep
Danielle Guy, Community Rep
Dani graduated from American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, CT. She is Deaf, with bilateral cochlear implants, and is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). In June of 2024, Dani graduated from OIC of New London, CT in business. Prior to her being a stay-at-home mom, Dani had worked for ARC of Eastern CT in Norwich, CT as a life skill instructor for 11 years. She also worked for the Disabilities Network of Eastern CT (DNEC) in Norwich, CT as an advocate for 3 years, and worked with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers. Not only has she worked as an advocate with Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers, she has worked in preschool classrooms to assist with facilitating in ASL with the Deaf, and Hard of Hearing children. Dani taught in-person community and virtual ASL classes, she provided Deaf awareness presentations in the community, and facilitated Deaf focus group. Dani is turning challenges into opportunities for strength and empowerment.
Contact Danielle at daniellinixy.81@gmail.com
Cami Hawkins, Community Rep:
Through these experiences, Cami is gaining knowledge, amplifying youth voices, and working toward meaningful change. With a focus on personal growth and empowerment, she is determined to continue using her platform to drive progress and inspire others.
Contact Cami at camimaelynn@gmail.com
Theresa Miles, Community Rep
Angel Morrison, Community Rep
Earnest Saunders, Community Rep:
Government Agency Representatives
Connecticut Department of Children and Families:
-William Seals, LPC
-Kim Somaroo-Rodriguez
Connecticut Department of Correction:
-Joy Zavarella
Connecticut Department of Education:
-Louis Tallerita
Connecticut Department of Housing:
-Leigh Shields-Church
She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut, and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Political Science from Stonehill College. In her work at the Dept. of Housing, she providers administrative oversight to the Coordinated Access Networks.
Contact Leigh at leigh.shields-church@ct.gov
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority:
-Karen Futoma
Karen works with CHFA’s portfolio staff and property staff regarding independent living opportunities and challenges for residents in CHFA’s portfolio. She also serves as a liaison with state, local and regional social, human, and housing service providers. Karen brings more than 35 years of experience in human services, 32 years of it working for a municipality providing programs and services pertaining to physical and mental health, substance use, financial and housing insecurity, excess clutter/hoarding, and crisis intervention. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Connecticut.
Contact Karen at karen.futoma@chfa.org
-Terry Nash Giovannucci
Connecticut Department of Justice, Court Support Services Division:
-Michael Aiello
Mr. Aiello has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Fairfield University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of New Haven.
Michael currently supervises 15 employees overseeing a number of programs. He manages the Jail
Re-interview Program, oversees the Branch’s DNA collection program, statewide sex offender
treatment, adult residential placement, and utilization, and assists operation staff in the oversight of
electronic monitoring and toxicology services. He represents the Branch on several committees
including the DNA Oversight Committee, the Reaching Home Campaign and its various working
groups, the Prison and Jail Offender Reentry Committee, and the CHFA state partners committee.
His work reaches across several disciplines within the JB-CSSD and multiple state agencies and
community partners. Most recently, Mr. Aiello collaborated on the development and
implementation of the Housing Stability Survey that the Branch initiated in 2022 and a collaboration
with the Department of Housing, the Probation Rapid Rehousing Program.
-Michael Labianca
Connecticut Department of Labor:
-Robert Bongiolatti
His leadership has been instrumental in supervising teams across adjudications, call centers, and IT modernization initiatives.
Currently, Robert manages the CT Employment Transitional model grant awarded through the USDOL Office of Disability Equity Policy in Connecticut’s Workforce Investment Opportunity Act Administration unit. The grant will provide expanded workforce experiences and employment for youth with disabilities across Connecticut’s workforce system. In addition Robert is responsible for overseeing contract processing, policy guidance, and compliance for federally funded employment training programs. His expertise ensures the effective administration of workforce initiatives benefiting job seekers and employers alike.
Before joining the Department of Labor, Robert worked as a substance abuse counselor at Connecticut Halfway Houses (now Community Solutions), providing support for court-mandated youth in an alternative to incarceration program.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Communications from Southern Connecticut State University. His skills include customer service, employee training, human resources, and a deep knowledge of Connecticut labor laws.
Connecticut Department of Labor, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Administration Unit:
-Heriberto Cajigas
Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services:
-Lisa Callahan
The Housing and Homeless Services unit has statewide oversight of several programs including programs for person/s with a disability experiencing homelessness. Lisa’s focus encompasses the HUD funded Rental Assistance programs which serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Prior to her position with DMHAS, Lisa worked in the private nonprofit (PNP) arena administering a Shelter Plus Care program, overseeing community based residential and case management programs. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Contact Lisa at lisa.callahan@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Social Services:
-Cassandra Norfleet-Johnson
-Theresa Rivera
United States Veteran’s Administration:
-Jen Moriarty
-Maureen Pasko
Not-For-Profit Representatives
Corporation for Supportive Housing:
-Phylicia Adams
United Way – 211
-Annette Buckley
-Ronette Daniels
Connecticut Coalition to End Homeless:
-Sarah Fox
Connecticut CAN End Homelessness:
-Amber Freeman
Partnership for Strong Communities:
-Danielle Hubley
Danielle also serves as an active Coordinating Council member to the Keep The Promise Coalition. Danielle graduated in 2017 with a B.A. in Social Work from Eastern Connecticut State University, where she was recognized for her efforts in promoting and pursing Macro Social Work practices. She also holds a Master’s in Social Work after graduating in 2018 from the University of Connecticut with a concentration in Policy Practice.
Contact Danielle at danielle@pschousing.org
Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
-Yolanda Potter
In her role, Yolanda oversees housing advocacy programs that address the complex intersection of domestic violence and homelessness. She is instrumental in developing trauma-informed housing strategies and advocating for systemic changes that remove barriers for survivors seeking safety and independence. Yolanda brings a wealth of experience in community development, housing policy, and survivor-centered advocacy. Her leadership is marked by a compassionate, solutions-driven approach that uplifts the voices of those most impacted by housing insecurity.
Contact Yolanda at ypotter@ctcadv.org
-Meghan Scanlon
Meghan has experience in the Connecticut nonprofit world and served as an aide to Senator Chris Murphy and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and lives in Guilford with her husband Sean and sons Jack and Declan.
Contact Meghan at mscanlon@ctcadv.org
Coordinated Access Network (CAN) Representatives
Central CAN:
-Catellia Casey
As Friendship Service Center’s Director of Programs, she oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of our client programs that provide essential services to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness including emergency shelter, a community drop in center, supportive housing, employment, and a community kitchen.
Contact Catellia at Ccasey@fsc-ct.or
-Amanda Garcia
Driven by compassion and a passion for service, she brings both professionalism and heart to her work in the mental health and housing fields. Outside of her role at CMHA, she is a proud mother of one, an avid animal lover, and a passionate sports enthusiast.
Contact Amanda at agarcia@cmhacc.org
Eastern CAN:
-Raymond Bellows
-Avery Lenhart
Greater Hartford CAN:
-Amanda Gordon
She went on to obtain her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Connecticut in Community Organizing with concentrations in Urban and Puerto Rican and Latinx studies. She has been working in housing and homelessness for 15 years as the Director the Quality Assurance Department for Community Housing Advocates for the last four years and prior to that was the Deputy Director at Journey Home. She currently sits on the Housing and Homelessness Data Strategy Board. Amanda is actively involved in local politics as the Vice-Chair of the Bolton Democrats and a current member of the Bolton Board of Selectmen.
Contact Amanda at Agordon@mercyhousingct.org
-Theresa Nicholson
Previously, Nicholson was Chief Program Officer at Chrysalis Center in Hartford for three years and, before that, spent fifteen years at the Hartford-based Community Renewal Team where she was Vice President of Behavioral Health Services. Nicholson was also a former chair of the Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network and represented the Greater Hartford Continuum of Care at the state level.
Middlesex/Meriden/Wallingford CAN:
-Manssour Hahnn
-Stacy Hooker
Stacy helped in the development of the Park Street Residences and West Village Permanent Supportive Program. These various programs have provided experience in assisting a variety of clients from those experiencing homelessness, needing assistance obtaining and maintaining housing, and re-entering society from incarceration – all with the lens of being trauma informed and person-centered. As the Program Manager of The EDDY Shelter, Stacy has worked in and with the Meriden, Middletown and Wallingford CAN successfully created partnerships with external constituents, helped facilitate the annual homeless Point in Time, and raised money for agency initiatives and programs.
New Haven CAN:
-Nikki Barnofski
Nikki actively represents the Greater New Haven community for the Balance of State Continuum of Care, serves on the Opening Doors Fairfield County Executive Committee, and is a Board Member of NR Lending. A lifelong Connecticut resident, she holds an MSW in Community Organization from UConn and a certification in Nonprofit Leadership and Sustainability from the University of New Haven.
Contact Nikki at nbarnofski@newreach.org
-Cathleen Meaden
She oversees the Quality, IT, Facilities, Property Management, Food Services and Transportation departments at Columbus House. She previously worked with individuals returning from incarceration, families involved in DCF, as well as with women with substance use issues. She holds a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from Central Connecticut State University and a Bachelors Degree in Human Services from the University of Bridgeport. She is also a Certified Addiction Counselor.
Contact Cathleen at cmeaden@columbushouse.org
Western CAN:
-Myles DuBay
Myles has almost 15 years’ experience working in not-for-profit and currently serves on the board of the Opening Doors Fairfield County (ODFC) Executive Committee as Secretary as well as an active board member to ODFC Strategic Planning. Myles was born and raised in Waterbury, CT. and graduated with honors from Kaynor Technical High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Bryant College in Smithfield, RI.
Contact Myles at mdubay@chd.org
-Nancy Cannavo
Nancy is the Director of The Gathering Place, a day-time drop-in center serving local homeless individuals, families, youth, veterans and seniors of Litchfield County. The Gathering Place provides the homeless the resources they need to live more productive and independent lives. It is a place to come to visit year-round and to receive services to meet basic needs and resources such as showers, laundry service, clothing, legal services, mental health services, substance abuse services, mail services and supported employment. Nancy spends the majority of her time off-site from the hospital at The Gathering Place providing mental health services/referrals for the community’s homeless population. In addition to the above, Nancy sits on the Board of McCall’s BHN; is a member of Litchfield County Opiate Task Force; chairs Housing First Committee; Cold Weather and Litchfield County’s Outreach/Case Conferencing. Nancy received her Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT.
Contact Nancy at nancy.cannavo@hhchealth.org