Biography

Representative Lyddy was first elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in 2008.  In January of 2009, Speaker of the House, Representative Chris Donovan appointed Representative Lyddy to the Human Services, Education, and Public Health Committees. In addition to these committee assignments, Representative Lyddy serves on the Department of Children and Families and HUSKY State Insurance workgroups.

In his first session, Representative Lyddy worked tirelessly on legislation impacting the health and well-being of children and families. As a result of his commitment and advocacy, he was recently recognized as a Children’s Champion by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance. Representative Lyddy has also focused much of his legislative efforts on issues impacting youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Working with legislators and advocates, Representative Lyddy championed legislation that has also earned him recognition from members of the Juvenile Justice system, Connecticut Foundation for Environmentally Safe Schools, as well as praise from Lyme Disease advocacy groups nationwide.

In addition to his post in the Connecticut General Assembly, Representative Lyddy serves as the Program Director for the YES! (Youth Equipped for Success) program. In this capacity, Mr. Lyddy is responsible for the supervision of all program staff, the implementation of evidence-based curricula, and serving as the program’s point-person for the Court Support Services Division, juvenile and youth probation officers, and other community-based stakeholders.

Mr. Lyddy first entered the juvenile justice system in 2006 when he served as the clinical supervisor for the Danbury and Torrington BSFT (Brief Strategic Family Therapy) programs. In this capacity, Mr. Lyddy provided ongoing clinical support to staff while also earning his BSFT certification through the Family Therapy Training Institute of Miami. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Mr. Lyddy represented his company at the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits Juvenile Justice sector meetings and assisted program leadership in navigating the CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accreditation process.

Outside of his work at Forensic Health Services, Representative Lyddy serves on a number of boards including the Housatonic Valley Coalition Against Substance Abuse and the Newtown Parent Connection. He is also a past member of the Newtown Prevention Council, Newtown Youth Services Board of Directors and the Newtown Juvenile Review Board; a diversionary program for first-time juvenile offenders in the community. Representative Lyddy is also a past elected member of the Newtown Legislative Council and served on the Education, Public Safety, Finance, and Communications committees.

Representative Lyddy graduated with his Bachelors of Science degree in Social Work from Salve Regina University and went on to earn his Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice. While at the School of Social Policy and Practice, Representative Lyddy cross-studied at the Fels Institute of Government as well as at the Graduate School of Nursing.  In 2007, Representative Lyddy was honored with the first annual Salve Regina University Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

He currently resides in the Borough of Newtown where he grew up with his four siblings; Ryan, Kara, Katie and Kyle.