They point to a report showing that the Department of Health and Human Services is getting worse at preventing repeated abuse and neglect of children.
office of child and family services
DHHS again facing scrutiny as another child dies despite contact with the agency
The Office of Child and Family Services investigated a report of suspected abuse two months before 3-year-old Makinzlee Hanrahan was allegedly beaten to death.
Lawmakers hear proposal to fix Maine’s broken child care system
The bill would tackle the state’s child care shortage by increasing monthly stipends for child care workers and relax the income limits for families to apply for a state subsidy.
Maine Voices: We need a DHHS that is open to legislators, Maine’s people
Legitimate legislative scrutiny sparked by the state watchdog’s report on the Office of Child and Family Services has resulted in a circling of the wagons.
Lawmakers want more oversight of child protective services
A bill would require the Office of Child and Family Services to report to the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee.
Maine’s child welfare system failed 3-year-old who died, grandmother tells lawmakers
The grandmother of Maddox Williams, whose mother is charged with murder in his death, gave emotional testimony to a legislative committee that’s investigating Maine’s child welfare system.
Maine’s child welfare ombudsman tells lawmakers: ‘We need to do something different’
Christine Alberi, the independent watchdog over the Office of Child and Family Services, told lawmakers Wednesday that ‘deep-seated problems’ persist even as investigations continue into the state agency responsible for child welfare.
Lawmakers set aggressive timeline for latest review of child protective services
The Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee directed its investigative arm to closely examine oversight and safety in the wake of another round of high-profile deaths of children.
Lawmaker cites ‘appalling’ death of 3-year-old in call for probe of Maine’s child welfare system
The Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee will meet Wednesday with state officials in child protective services.
Maine Senate votes to create separate child welfare agency
The proposal, which faces further votes in the Legislature, is a response to concerns that reforms are not happening quickly enough after several high-profile child-abuse deaths.