Health and Human Services investigators visited the home of Jasper Smith 7 times without taking action. On May 17, he died from a gunshot wound when he accessed a handgun registered to his stepfather.
maine department of health and human services
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Lawmaker, advocates say Maine needs new Office of the Child Advocate
If approved, the office would be an independent watchdog agency and work with state departments overseeing health and human services, education, law enforcement police and corrections.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine’s busiest shelter is losing millions in state funding
After months of clashing over General Assistance reimbursements to local emergency shelters, DHHS adopts a new rule that will slash Portland’s rate nearly in half.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Dozens laid off at Maine CDC after federal cutbacks
State officials say 40 subcontracted employees were laid off because of federal public health funding cuts, and more details will be provided soon.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Details of federal cuts to Maine DHHS unknown, but layoffs are possible
The Trump administration ended public health contracts worth $91 million to Maine and local agencies this week.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Halle Berry testifies before Maine Legislature to support menopause education
‘I’m in menopause, and I had no idea,’ the actress told the Health and Human Services Committee. ‘None of my doctors ever talked to me about it.’
Posted inHealth, Local & State, Politics
With time running out, Maine lawmakers play chicken over supplemental budget
The state has notified medical providers that serve low-income patients to expect lower MaineCare reimbursements if lawmakers can’t reach an agreement by March 12.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, Nation & World, News
Maine DHHS awarded nearly $17M for maternal health care
The funds are part of the Transforming Maternal Health Model, a new 10-year federal program designed to improve care for low-income patients.
Posted inLocal & State, 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.
Posted inLocal & State
High court says Maine lawmakers not entitled to child protective records
The Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee sought confidential records on the deaths of 4 children in 2021 as part of its work evaluating the state’s child welfare system.