Lawmakers agree to introduce the bill late in the legislative session because of concerns about child abuse prevention following the deaths of two Maine girls.
Joe Lawlor
Staff Writer
Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people.
He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
Posted inLocal & State, News
State system to safeguard kids buckles under stress
With heavier caseloads, a worsening opioid crisis and more minors being removed from homes, Child Protective Services is losing ground.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
LePage says he’ll address ‘major holes’ in Maine’s system for protecting at-risk children
The governor also questions why a state agency prioritizes family reunification in its cases and suggests that may change, despite extensive research showing that the policy is best for kids.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine emergency department visits for opioid overdoses jumped 34 percent in 2017
The increase, reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, contrasts with declining visits in several other New England states.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Lawmakers may order investigation of Children’s Protective Services
The death of 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy, allegedly at the hands of her parents, has focused attention on Maine’s system for preventing child abuse.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Lawmakers press LePage administration for answers about abuse case that led to girl’s death
The administration says the Department of Health and Human Services has already begun an inquiry into its handling of the case of 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Confirmed cases of physical abuse of children jumped 52% in Maine over 8 years
Reports of possible abuse and neglect also rose, to 8,279 in 2016, with increased awareness of a growing problem that could be tied to the opioid epidemic.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
LePage administration ending child abuse prevention program
The state argues that the $2.2 million effort is duplicative and not evidence-based. Proponents say ‘the safety of kids is in jeopardy.’
Posted inLocal & State, News
Three new flu deaths in Maine, but data indicate cases on decline
Flu is notoriously unpredictable, however, so there could be another surge.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Group homes for intellectually disabled face acute staffing shortage
Low Medicaid reimbursement rates and a rising state minimum wage create turnover and vacancies among staff who provide critical services to disabled adults.