Terrance W. Macy was named commissioner of the state Department of Developmental Services (DDS) last week by Gov. Dannel Malloy. As commissioner, the Madison resident will oversee a department with a budget in excess of $1 billion, a workforce of approximately 4,000 state employees, and contracts with 180 private provider agencies that employ more than 12,000 people. Formerly known as the Department of Mental Retardation, today DDS serves more than 19,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities, including more than 4,000 infants and children.

"As everyone knows, I spend a great deal of time talking about our citizens with developmental and intellectual disabilities, the community providers who serve them, and the need for state government to be a better partner to both," Malloy said at the media conference announcing Macy's appointment. "This is an agency that people don't know much about. I'm hoping that will change. Caring for some of the neediest in our society is a moral obligation government has and should have. I'm counting on Terry to help this agency and this state government live up to that ideal."

Macy is perhaps best known along the shoreline as the executive director of SARAH Tuxis Residential & Community Resources, a position he has held since 1990. In Madison he is a veteran member of the Planning & Zoning Commission and serving as its vice chair for many years. He is also the previous chair of the Democratic Town Committee.

"Understanding the fiscal reality both the state and country face, I'm hopeful that my experiences in partnering with community private and public providers in a quest to expand creative support systems while generating efficiencies will allow these programs to be maintained in an efficient and cost-effective manner," Macy said. "I'm looking forward to continuing the notable work of this agency."

As executive director with SARAH Tuxis, Macy led efforts to provide support to individuals with disabilities, focusing on direct care and creating environments in which individuals with disabilities thrive. He was responsible for administering a staff that grew from 42 to 300 and the agency has become one of the largest providers of individual support of any DDS-funded agency in the state. He led the agency to develop a culture of collaborating with community partners wherever possible to expand the creative support systems, including development of innovative and individualized supports for seniors.

Macy previously worked at DATAHR Rehabilitation Institute (currently Ability Beyond Disability) as director of vocational services and director of residential services, developing training programs, training staff in new work skills development programs, and growing services for persons with autism and traumatically brain-injured adults. He holds a Ph.D.

He is active in several state and national organizations, including as a current member of the Board of Directors of the National Conference of Executives of ARC and past chair of the Connecticut Conference of Executives, as a member and previous president of the board of directors of the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits and chair of the Region X Chapter of the American Association on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.

State Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) endorsed Macy's appointment, saying he has known him for nearly a decade and observed his work at SARAH Tuxis.

"I've watched Terry's work with developmentally disabled persons for seven years and I know that he will make a highly effective and compassionate commissioner," Meyer said.

State Representative Noreen Kokoruda (R-Madison, Guilford) has known Macy for several years as they worked together on local non-profit causes.

"Terry Macy has dedicated his life to working with individuals who need extra support living independent lives," Kokoruda said. "It is great to see a member of our community receive the opportunity to work as hard for people across the state of Connecticut."