A new report from the agency’s Office of Child and Family Services recommends 33 additional caseworkers, on top of 33 already funded by the Legislature, to handle a growing volume of abuse and neglect reports.
child abuse
Posted inMaine, News
Maine may revitalize program to counsel families of at-risk children
The state’s ‘functional family therapy’ program would hire dozens of new counselors to help families prevent problems.
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Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Wiscasset woman to appeal murder conviction in death of 4-year-old girl
Shawna Gatto was found guilty in April of murdering 4-year-old Kendall Chick and was sentenced in June to 50 years in prison.
Posted inMaine, News
Reports of child abuse in Maine spiked 26 percent in 2018, driven by 2 high-profile cases
State child welfare officials say the increase was spurred in part by increased awareness following the deaths of 2 girls.
Posted inMaine, News
Since 2007, 18 children have been killed in Maine homes being monitored by the state
Another 34 deaths that were ruled accidental or of natural causes occurred in homes where abuse or neglect was substantiated.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Shawna Gatto is sentenced to 50 years for murder of 4-year-old Kendall Chick
Gatto was convicted in April of subjecting the girl in her care to what a judge called ‘outrageous, revolting, shocking and brutal’ abuse.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime
Husband and wife charged with killing 10-year-old girl will have separate trials
The judge also denies a motion to suppress statements the mother of Marissa Kennedy made to police about daily abuse.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Mills amends budget to include 33 more caseworkers to protect vulnerable kids
The state’s system for protecting children has come under fire since two young girls died in 2017 and 2018.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
DHHS says it’s making child protection reforms while seeking ‘buy-in’ from staff
Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew and child welfare director Todd Landry tell lawmakers they need support from frontline workers to fix flaws in a system that contributed to the deaths of 2 children.
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Watchdog committee reviews options for reforms in Maine’s child protection system
AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s watchdog agency is proposing several potential law changes to close cracks in the system for protecting Maine children against child abuse. The changes under review by the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability include adding training requirements for professionals who are mandated to report suspected abuse and changing the criteria […]