Within the Office of Policy and Management (OPM), the Policy Development and Planning Division (PDPD) is responsible for the areas of Assets Management, Energy Management and Health and Human Services.

Assets Management - Through the Bureau of Assets Management, PDPD is responsible for the development of accurate, timely and unbiased, researched based information which is used to support the development of Connecticut's strategic real estate planning and policy initiatives.

Energy Management - The Energy Management Unit provides general oversight regarding energy usage and management of energy costs in State facilities.  In addition, the staff provides analytical support regarding energy market activities and issues.  The Energy Management Unit also oversees the implementation of federally-funded energy programs in Connecticut.

Health and Human Services - PDPD participates in a number of policy and planning teams aimed at improving the delivery of health care, long-term care and human services in the State.  The Division provides research and staff support, represents OPM on numerous legislatively mandated councils, and monitors state and national activities that address quality, access and cost issues.  Some examples of PDPD's activities in the area of health and human services are:

• Long-Term Care - PDPD identifies and analyzes emerging long-term care issues in the areas of financing, service delivery, and types of care.  The Division emphasizes the importance of shifting the balance between public and private resources and institutional and community-based care.  Incidental to this effort is the role PDPD plays in the administration of Connecticut's Partnership for Long-Term Care, the State's partnership with the insurance industry that educates Connecticut's residents about the importance of planning ahead for future long-term care needs and provides high-quality private long-term care insurance to help with those planning efforts.  PDPD also coordinates several assisted living projects involving various State agencies and is collaborating with various public and private entities on the development of a comprehensive long-term care services and support website.

• Child Poverty and Prevention Council - OPM Chairs the State's Child Poverty and Prevention Council with PDPD provided staff support to the Council and assisting in the development of various reports.

• Prevention Services Funding - OPM develops a Prevention Services Budget every two years in conjunction with the Governor's Biennial Budget.

• OPM Federal Affairs - PDPD makes a special effort to track federal legislation, rule and grant-making, and will research issues of particular interest, which may result in direct communication with federal officials.  The Division has developed a comprehensive research engine for federal matters, and a means of information distribution among agency staff.

• Welfare Reform - PDPD is monitoring Federal TANF Reauthorization and engaged in assessing the human service policy and program changes underway in light of budgetary constraints, the evolving needs of clients, and new federal and state statutory requirements.

Informed Public Policy - The Policy Development and Planning Division is also responsible for:

• Development of implementation plans in support of the Governor's policy initiatives;

• The identification of emerging issues and trends and the development of strategic policy proposals to address such issues;

• Providing inter-agency coordination and facilitating the collaboration between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government;

• Providing inter-agency coordination and facilitating the collaboration between the State of Connecticut, the Federal government and local municipalities;

• Responding to federal legislation, regulation and policy initiatives and implementation of federal programs and mandates;

• Improving the integration of OPM's policy development and planning initiatives into the State budget process.

For Additional Information Please Contact

John Mengacci

Undersecretary for Policy Development and Planning

State of Connecticut

Office of Policy and Management

450 Capitol Avenue - MS#52ASP

Hartford, CT 06106-1379

Phone: (860) 418-6374

Fax: (860) 418-6496

Email: john.mengacci@ct.gov