After more than a decade as Connecticut's child advocate, Sarah Eagan will leave the role in September, she said Thursday.

Eagan, who first assumed the role in 2013, will depart to become executive director of the Center for Children's Advocacy, a non-profit law firm in Hartford.

In a statement Wednesday, Eagan thanked Gov. Ned Lamont and former Gov. Dannel Malloy for appointing her, as well as "every youth, family member, provider, state/local employee, advocate, and policymaker who raise their voice in service of a just and nurturing community."

"It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead this critical government agency, further transparency and accountability for publicly funded services for children, and advocate on behalf of the state's children and families," Eagan said.

After Eagan departs, associate child advocate Christina Ghio will take over as acting child advocate until Lamont appoints a permanent replacement.

The governor acknowledged Eagan's departure in a statement Wednesday, thanking her for her "dedicated service."

"Sarah has been an extraordinary advocate on behalf of Connecticut's children and her service to the state has been nothing but exceptional," Lamont said. "During her tenure, she has always put the needs of children and their welfare first, and her advocacy has made a positive difference in establishing the appropriate policies and procedures to ensure that the rights of children and their best interests are always a top priority in Connecticut."

The governor's office said an advisory committee will soon begin considering candidates to succeed Eagan and will eventually submit a list of candidates for Lamont to choose from.

The Office of the Child Advocate is an independent state office that monitors agencies tasked with the care of children and represents their interests in public policy discussions.

During her time as child advocate, Eagan has been a fierce voice on a number of issues, including children's mental health, abuse and neglect, and restraint and seclusion in schools.

Just last month, her office partnered with the non-profit Disability Rights CT to file a civil rights complaint against Connecticut school districts who send students to private special education schools an investigation found to have been under-staffed and lacking required programs.

Sen. Cece Maher, D-Wilton, who co-chairs the state legislature's Committee on Children, praised Eagan on Wednesday "someone dedicated to the protection, benefit, growth and goodwill of the youth of Connecticut."

"Her admirable efforts and steadfast advocacy on issues impacting children across the state have played an important role in policy development and lawmaking," Maher said in a statement.

Eagan will begin her new role at the Center for Children's Advocacy in October, she said.

Martha Stone, the renowned attorney who founded the Center for Children's Advocacy in 1997, said Wednesday she will stay on as founder and special counsel, which will allow her "more time to do the actual legal work."