Free Family Fishing Days

Next weekend, people throughout Maine will have the opportunity to fish even if they do not have a license.

Maine’s free fishing days will take place on May 30-31, 2015. On these days, any person (except those whose license has been suspended or revoked) may fish without a license. All other laws and regulations apply on these days.

May is Foster Care Awareness Month

May is Foster Care Awareness Month nationwide, and in Maine, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is taking the opportunity to thank foster families while encouraging others to learn more about fostering.”Our deepest gratitude goes out to the families who have volunteered to care for a child in need,” said Commissioner Mayhew. “With their selfless love and support, thousands of children have a brighter and more hopeful future.”

Maine DHHS in March put out a call for more homes to open their doors to foster children in need of placement and received an outpouring of interest in the program. DHHS emphasized the following points in response to numerous recent questions the Department has received about foster parenting.

You do not have to have a spouse or a two-parent home in order to provide foster care to a child. Many single individuals throughout the state have opened their homes to foster children.

DHHS welcomes applications from individuals approaching or at retirement age who continue to experience good health and who have the energy and commitment to contribute in a meaningful way to ensuring children in care have opportunities to live safe and normal lives.

Foster families should be aware that DHHS is mandated to work toward reunification of the foster child with his or her birth family.

You can be an individual who lives in a rental apartment or home. You do not have to own a home in order to be able to provide care to a child in foster care. You do need to have adequate space in your home to afford the child with a safe and comfortable sleeping area.

While you do not need previous parenting experience in order to become a foster parent, you do need to have a willingness to participate as a team member in meeting the parenting needs of children placed in your home.

You will not be alone as a foster parent. Mentors are available, as are foster parent support groups, in every county.

The greatest need is for foster and adoptive homes to provide care to older, 11-18 year old children, especially those with behavioral challenges.

Foster care can be provided on a short- or long-term basis and can result in eventual adoption.

Even older children, such as 15-17 year olds, value and have much to gain from adoption.

Families and individuals interested in foster care or adoption may contact Linda Brissette, Children’s Services Program Manager at Maine DHHS, at 624-7964 or [email protected].