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.
maine department of health and human services
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Maine seeks developer for psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth
The plan has been criticized by advocates who say it would increase the risk of harm to Maine children, though one provider said it would fill a critical gap for those with severe behavioral health needs.
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Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
After 34 years, court oversight of Maine’s mental health services has officially ended
A superior court judge this week approved the state’s petition to dissolve what has come to be known as the AMHI consent decree, which settled a class action lawsuit brought by former patients of Augusta Mental Health Institute.
Posted inLocal & State
For Mainers on one state plan, few home care coordination options remain
Citing reimbursement shortfalls, two of the three agencies in the state that pair people with in-home nursing care are no longer accepting new clients under the Section 96 MaineCare program.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Judge approves settlement reforming use of psychotropic drugs for foster children
As part of the settlement, the state will develop a new portable health records system, create informed consent procedures and implement additional reviews.
Posted inLocal & State
Maine proposes major staffing changes for assisted living and residential care facilities
The proposed regulations come after an 18-month investigation by The Maine Monitor and ProPublica found dozens of violations at the state’s largest facilities.
Posted inLocal & State
Owners of Maine’s ‘last resort’ psychiatric hospital in South Carolina declare bankruptcy
Maine has signed another $1.4 million contract with Columbia Regional Care Center to reserve six beds. But the facility will soon be sold at auction after its parent company declared bankruptcy.
Posted inLocal & State
A Maine law could have forced the Lewiston mass shooter into psychiatric treatment. Why wasn’t it used?
Like nearly every other state, Maine can compel those with serious mental illnesses to comply with outpatient treatment. But the law is rarely used. Some fear it threatens to return America to a dark era of institutionalization.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine Senate confirms new DHHS commissioner
Sara Gagné-Holmes had served as deputy commissioner of the department for 5 years and takes over as the agency is facing a federal lawsuit and scrutiny by lawmakers.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Missing phone logs, conflicting accounts hinder investigation into death of month-old in Milo
Maine’s watchdog agency finds that the state made thorough efforts, but it couldn’t determine how or whether Child Protective Services could have prevented Sylus Melvin’s killing in 2021.