Jeanne Lambrew, who led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, will begin a job at a Washington-based think tank and teach at Harvard University.
maine department of health and human services
Posted inLocal & State, News
Settlement requires DHHS to reform use of psychotropic drugs given to foster children
The parties agreed to 3 critical reforms: an improved medical records system, creation of an informed consent process, and a psychiatric clinical review after the drugs are administered to children.
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Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State
Father alleges former Maine DHHS caseworker sexually assaulted him
The federal lawsuit names Morgan Polky, who admitted to sexual misconduct with the father when the state revoked her social worker license in 2018.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine fails to meet federal standards when returning at-risk children to their families, watchdog report says
OPEGA’s report highlights another symptom of a child welfare system that suffers from high vacancies, heavy caseloads and a lack of community services for families struggling with mental health and substance use issues.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Mental health crisis center in Portland could serve as model for state network
The Living Room at Spurwink has averaged 172 unique visitors per month over the last year. It’s now being looked at as a model for a statewide expansion of mental health services in the wake of the Lewiston mass shooting.
Posted inLocal & State
Department veteran chosen to lead reforms of Maine’s child protection agency
Bobbi Johnson, a 30-year veteran in the state’s child welfare office, will take over leadership of the agency after the former director resigned amid a legislative review of child deaths.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine issues $13.5 million in replacement SNAP benefits following December storm
The funds will be automatically issued this weekend to SNAP recipients affected by the storm.
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Opinion: Prioritize the child in state protective programs
A child’s safety must be central to reform of Maine’s state protective services programs, not politics or bureaucracy.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine DHHS commissioner questioned about child deaths, caseworker complaints
Jeanne Lambrew acknowledges problems within the child protection office during testimony before the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee.
Posted inLocal & State, News
State agency, legislative committee clash in supreme court hearing over records
Lawmakers on the Government Oversight Committee are appealing a lower court’s decision that barred them from access to confidential child protective records.