Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew’s role encompasses a wide range of critical areas, from child welfare to homelessness to mental health and substance abuse. We will hear about what she plans to focus on first, and what concerns she has about the scope of the health and human services challenges facing Maine.
As commissioner, she leads the largest agency in state government, which provides health care and social services to approximately a third of the state's population, including children, families, the elderly, and those with disabilities, mental illness and substance use disorders. The department also promotes public health through management of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers through its licensing division.
Guests
Jeanne Lambrew, sworn in as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services on Feb. 5, 2019. Prior to her appointment as commissioner, Dr. Lambrew was a senior fellow at The Century Foundation and adjunct professor at the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
Kim Moody (by phone), executive director, Disability Rights Maine
Claire Berkowitz (by phone), executive director, Maine Children's Alliance
Bob Fowler (by phone), executive director, Milestone Recovery
Resources
- DHHS Hotline/ Crisis Lines
- Janet Mills Announces Pick To Lead Maine DHHS
- Mills Announces Federal Approval For Medicaid Expansion
- First 100 Days: Medicaid expansion
- 22 kids reported to the state have died since 2017
- Maine DHHS Unveils Child Safety Initiatives
- DHHS Commissioner says child welfare improvements are progressing
- Proposed Bill Would End Maine’s Nearly 30-Year Mental Health Services Consent Decree
- Following Riverview’s Recertification, Mills Abandons Plans For Step Down Psychiatric Facility
- Maine has the nation’s highest rate of anxiety in children, report finds