Bethanne Vergean

AAP/CDC Act Early Ambassador for CT

Bethanne Vergean has over 20 years of experience in early childhood, with specialized expertise in pediatrics, early intervention, public health, and children’s mental health. She provides statewide professional development and technical assistance, with a focus on inclusion, developmental surveillance and screening, autism, social-emotional development, and supporting medically complex children.

Bethanne currently plays a key leadership role in Connecticut’s CT Family STARS (Family Support, Tracking, and Referral System), an OSEP-funded model demonstration project focused on improving early identification and coordinated systems of care for young children. Through this work, she collaborates with cross-sector partners—including healthcare providers, early childhood programs, and community organizations—to strengthen developmental screening systems, improve referral pathways, and enhance data integration across services. She supports regional implementation efforts, including workforce development, Parent-to-Parent engagement, and the use of tools such as developmental screening and monitoring to ensure families are connected to timely supports.

In March 2019, Bethanne was selected as the Connecticut Act Early Ambassador for the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn the Signs. Act Early. The initiative is a national campaign designed to improve early identification of autism and other developmental disabilities. In this role, Bethanne partners with healthcare providers and early childhood systems to promote developmental monitoring, screening, and early intervention.

In August 2020, Bethanne was named a Children’s Mental Health Champion through the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supporting efforts to advance children’s social-emotional well-being and mental health awareness.

In September 2020, she was selected to coordinate Connecticut’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. COVID-19 response, providing leadership to support early childhood systems in strengthening resilience, recovery efforts, and family supports during the pandemic.

In April 2023, Bethanne was selected as an aRPy Ambassador to promote awareness and implementation of the Division for Early Childhood Recommended Practices to improve outcomes for young children with disabilities and their families. She is also the CT DEC Chapter President

Bethanne has attended Quinnipiac University, Saint Joseph’s University, and University of Connecticut.