LEWISTON – Members of a legislative caucus will host a community forum in Auburn on Tuesday, March 23, to hear concerns about proposed budget cuts and the pending merger of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services.

The forum led by the Developmental Disabilities Caucus will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at John F. Murphy Homes at 800 Center St. Three other forums will be held over the next week in Augusta, Portland and Bangor. Rep. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, helped to arrange these forums. Craven encourages families and concerned citizens to take this opportunity to express their concerns and to make comments.

Also attending the forums will be Kathryn Ainsworth, from the governor’s office, who will be on hand to receive input; and Jack Nicholas, the governor’s nominee to head the new Department of Human Services.

Community Forums have been scheduled at these times in the following areas: The Development Disabilities Caucus is a bipartisan group of Maine legislators dedicated to advancing the issues and concerns of individuals with developmental disabilities.