The new Parents Counsel Division launches as Maine’s child protective system is in crisis.
child welfare
Posted inMaine, News
Maine’s child welfare system still faces ‘enormous pressure,’ watchdog says
Child welfare ombudsman Christine Alberi concluded her 2024 annual report to lawmakers by saying that more improvement is needed in investigating abuse or neglect claims and in reunifying children with families.
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Posted inMaine, News
Top Maine Republicans renew calls to overhaul child protective services
Republicans leaders in the House and Senate seized on Thursday’s letter of no confidence in the Office of Child and Family Services director to criticize the Mills administration.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine child protection workers express no confidence in director
Gov. Janet Mills, however, pushes back on the letter signed by 1 in 5 staff members and criticizes the employees’ union for an ‘extreme approach’ that is not productive.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime
Mistrial declared in trial of man charged with murder in Edgecomb toddler’s death
Superior Court Justice Daniel Billings said the jury was tainted by outbursts from the girl’s mother and declared a mistrial in the state’s case against Tyler Witham-Jordan in the death of 3-year-old Makinzlee Handrahan in 2022.
Posted inMaine, News
Federal inspectors flag widespread deficiencies in Maine child abuse and neglect investigations
Maine’s Office of Child and Family Services said problems cited in the audit, which covered cases between October 2021 and September 2022, have been remedied or are in the process of being addressed.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Opinion: Recent lawsuits highlight DHHS failure to protect Maine kids
What will it take for the department to listen?
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Standards for care of disabled kids have slipped out of sight
The neglect of Maine’s most vulnerable children is now the subject of a federal lawsuit. When can we expect evidence of reform?
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World, News
Parents will have to set aside some earnings for child influencers under new California laws
Parents and guardians who profit from social media posts featuring their children will soon be required to set aside some earnings for the young performers.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Maine’s watchdog agency spent years investigating 4 child deaths. Here are the takeaways.
The Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability presented its final report to the Legislature last week. Lawmakers wanted to know: What could the child welfare office have done differently?