News

Child welfare continues to appear in headlines as policymakers and state leaders react to the challenges faced by our state’s child welfare system. Information about the efficacy of the child welfare agency is important and deserves routine discussion and thoughtful analysis. However, our focus and attention cannot stop there. Why are so many families struggling? We must find ways to work together to help parents and caregivers provide safety and stability for their children. 

Budgets are a reflection of our state values and priorities. The recent bipartisan budget agreement reflects what we know to be true: The Maine child care system needs new investments to better work for children, families, early educators and employers.

Maine ranks 12th in the nation on measures of child well-being following improvements in community and family health, according to a new report. The 2023 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation cited a slight drop in the number of children living in high-poverty areas in Maine, and fewer kids living in single-parent households. But a lack of affordable and accessible child care continues to affect families statewide. Helen Hemminger, research and Kids Count associate for the Maine Children's Alliance, said even those who can afford child care may not be able to find it.

There’s a new plan at the State House designed to protect vulnerable Mainers. It comes from the Department of Health and Human Services just weeks after a study found Maine has the highest rate of abuse and neglect in the country, more than twice the national average. "The vision established in this plan is that Maine will be a place where all families live in supportive communities and can get the help they need when they need it,” Melissa Hackett of the Maine Children’s Alliance said.

The Maine Children’s Alliance recently released the 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book on the well-being of Maine children and families. Feedback from across the state and political spectrum has been clear and consistent, and the data are sobering. Approximately 34,000 Maine children live in poverty. Child maltreatment is high. Maine youth are facing unprecedented mental health issues. Significant disparities persist across indicators when disaggregated by income, race and ethnicity, geography and other factors.

The Maine Children's Alliance released its annual report on child welfare in Maine Tuesday.

A report on child welfare released by the Maine Children’s Alliance on Tuesday found that the number of Maine children living in poverty decreased in 2021, but remains an issue in rural areas.

Governor Janet Mills has announced new initiatives in an effort to keep kids safe from abuse, neglect, drug overdoses and death.