Child Welfare

Sara Gagné-Holmes has worked in DHHS for five years, serving as acting commissioner since June. Waterville's former fire chief, Shawn Esler, was confirmed as the new state fire marshal.

If confirmed by the Maine Senate, Sara Gagne-Holmes would take over the Maine Department of Health and Human Services at a time when the state's largest agency faces multiple challenges, including within child welfare programs.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services says the agency has made substantial progress addressing staff recruitment and retention. But critics say the department, and lawmakers, need to do more.

The bill is one of multiple measures that lawmakers are considering following a spate of high-profile deaths among children whose families were part of Maine's child welfare programs.

State lawmakers heard testimony Thursday on a proposal to create a stand-alone child welfare agency amid concerns that the current system is not adequately protecting vulnerable children.

That is one of multiple proposals that the Legislature will likely consider this year following the latest investigation into the state's beleaguered child welfare system.

The report from a new group, Walk A Mile In Their Shoes, also accuses DHHS of putting "excessive focus" on family reunification and says foster families need more support.

The Legislature's Government Oversight Committee sued the Maine Department of Health and Human Services after the agency refused to comply with a demand for confidential documents.

The director of the Legislature's watchdog agency says he continues to receive calls from child welfare workers juggling dozens of cases at any given time. The agency is investigating recent child abuse deaths.

The proposal is still in development and will require legislative action and funding. The outline targets risk factors that increase the chance that a child will come under state supervision.