SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES CONFIRMATION OF CHRISTINA D. GHIO AS CONNECTICUT’S CHILD ADVOCATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) welcomed the Senate’s confirmation of Christina D. Ghio to serve as Connecticut’s Child Advocate, confident she will serve as a strong voice who will defend and support the needs of children across the state.

Ghio, who has served as temporary Acting Child Advocate since 2022 and assumed the position of Acting Child Advocate in the fall of 2024, was recommended for the role by the Advisory Committee to the Office of the Child Advocate.

“Christina Ghio has proven herself to be a fierce and dedicated defender of Connecticut’s children, and I’m highly encouraged that her presence as the Child Advocate comes at a time when our state needs to improve current standards,” said Sen. Maher. “I’m heartened to know the children of our state will have a champion tirelessly fighting for them.”

The Child Advocate monitors and evaluates public and private agencies charged with protecting children and reviews state policies and procedures to ensure they protect children’s rights and promote their best interests.

Ghio previously worked as an attorney in her own practice, representing parents in child-related matters including special education, child abuse and neglect and mental health. She’s also served as an assistant child advocate, was director of the Child Abuse Project at the Center for Children’s Advocacy and previously worked as an attorney for the New Hampshire Public Defender.

Ghio is an alum of the Georgetown University Law Center and Central Connecticut State University and is a certified child welfare law specialist by the National Association of Council for Children.

Today’s vote passed the Senate by a 27-9 tally. Ghio previously passed the House by a 94-42 vote on March 25 and the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee by a 17-4 tally on March 17.