Last summer was Maine’s hottest on record and data show the state is getting hotter.
maine department of health and human services
Stepfather charged with manslaughter in death of 4-year-old shot in head
Police say that the bullet that killed Jasper Smith in May was fired from Robert McCoy’s 9 mm handgun.
Maine’s foster care population grew at the fastest rate in the nation, federal data shows
The state’s director of child and family services cited the agency’s response to high profile deaths as well as a lack of attorneys to represent parents and declining support services as reasons for the increase.
Death of Lewiston 4-year-old puts Maine’s child welfare failures back in spotlight
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.’
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.