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Hartford HHS: two sanitarian trainees, car-seat coordinator hired; rodent-control vacancies and grant risk flagged
Summary
Director Ebony Jackson Shaheed told the committee Jan. 6 that two sanitarian trainees are preparing for state certification, the car-seat program has a new coordinator, and quality-assurance checks for field staff have begun. She said the budget includes three rodent-control inspectors but two positions are vacant and warned of potential future reductions in some federal grant areas.
Hartford Health & Human Services Director Ebony Jackson Shaheed briefed the committee on Jan. 6 about staffing, training and grant risks within the department.
Jackson Shaheed said the department expects two sanitarian trainees to go for state certification after completing required coursework and roughly 25 provisional inspections under the FITO (the city’s chief sanitarian). "So we're just preparing for those 2 candidates, to have that state inspection," she told the committee. The trainees include individuals who already have advanced degrees, and, once certified, the department expects to add fully trained sanitarians to its inspection staff.
The director also announced a new coordinator for the federally funded car-seat program, which provides car seats and installation education to residents. Jackson Shaheed said HHS is launching its first "HHS University" session in January and has begun quality-assurance spot checks for field staff, noting that supervisors or the FITO perform unannounced observations and record findings in personnel files.
On rodent control, Jackson Shaheed said HHS has not seen a documented influx of rodent complaints citywide but clarified roles: interior mice and some housing complaints are handled through housing channels, restaurant interior issues fall under HHS inspections, and the rodent-control program responds to exterior rat complaints. She said the city is budgeted for three rodent-control inspectors but currently has two vacancies and one inspector on medical leave; "We are interviewing, but we have not chosen anybody at this particular time," she said. Councilman Gayle asked whether the department is being adequately notified about federal funding shifts; Jackson Shaheed replied the department has received the funding they were told to expect but is preparing for possible reductions in some program areas and described having to modify grant language (removing DEI-specific language) to secure funding in some cases.
Committee members asked follow-up questions about complaint intake (311, direct calls, DDS) and hiring status; Jackson Shaheed said field managers and the chief sanitarian currently respond to complaints while vacancies are filled and that the grants team and Central Grants staff are monitoring funding opportunities and potential changes.
No committee votes or policy changes were taken during the presentation; the briefing was informational.
