Recently, I read an article about how Maine ended the past fiscal year with a large budget surplus (Sun Journal, July 31). Not too long ago, I read an article about Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services being short of staff for child care workers, who are overworked, taxed with paperwork, in addition to […]
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Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
LePage slams employees union for taking credit for his child protection reforms
Gov. Paul LePage slammed the state employees’ union in his weekly radio address Wednesday, accusing it of trying to take credit for reforms his administration is proposing in the child protection system after the deaths of two children. LePage’s attack on the Maine State Employees Association came just two days after he said he was […]
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Posted inLocal & State, 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 […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
DHHS chief says agency will urge hiring of 75 more child protective workers
AUGUSTA — Maine’s top health and human services official told lawmakers Tuesday that the caseworker staff in the state’s child protective system would increase under a bill that would soon be unveiled. Ricker Hamilton, commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, said he expected an upcoming bill supported by Gov. Paul LePage would […]
Posted inObituaries, sj-web
Paul G. Maheux
TURNER — Paul G. Maheux, 55, of Turner passed away at his home Friday, June 29. Born in Lewiston, Paul was the second child of Raymond and Carmel Maheux. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1981 and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from USM, a master’s degree in social work from […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Paul LePage says child deaths a result of out-of-date DHHS system
Gov. Paul LePage said Thursday that his administration will pursue a range of reforms in the state’s child protective services system, including a renewed effort to impose criminal penalties on professionals such as teachers, doctors and others who are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect and fail to do so. In an appearance […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
State failed to follow procedures and share information in deaths of 2 girls
State child protective workers failed to follow policies and procedures in assessing the placement of a young girl who died as a result of abuse last winter, the Legislature’s watchdog agency concluded in a review released Thursday. In the case of a second girl’s death, there were widely scattered reports of potential abuse or neglect, but […]
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Maine DHHS warns that someone is impersonating a child protective worker
Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services issued a warning Thursday about an alleged impersonation of a child protective services caseworker. According to a news release from the department, the incident occurred recently in southern Maine but no additional information was provided. “It is important to remember that all DHHS employees are issued an identification […]
Posted inObituaries, sj-web
Phyllis I. Bray
AUBURN — Phyllis I. (Gordon) Bray, 88, a resident of Turner, passed away Sunday, April 8, at Clover Manor in Auburn surrounded by her loving family following a brief illness. She was born July 2, 1929, in Leeds, the daughter of Maurice Elbridge Gordon and Grace (Carver) Gordon. She attended schools in Livermore and was a […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lisbon man faces felony charge in bomb threat
LEWISTON — A judge on Friday set bail at $1,000 for a Lisbon man accused of threatening to blow up a state government building. Police said Alexander Hanks, 24, of 30 Sabattus Creek Drive posted on Facebook a threat to blow up a Department of Health and Human Services building. He posted: “Can’t wait to […]