As a survivor of the maine welfare system yes, yes it does severely

Our society has deemed it acceptable for a program, that helps the defenseless, to be severely underfunded. As we have accepted that the wealthy are allowed to not pay taxes while meanwhile receiving taxpayer business subsidies.

>Our society has deemed it acceptable for a program, that helps the defenseless, to be severely underfunded.

Has it found it so? Not sure that electing the same arseholes constitutes acceptance, but voices against underfunding child welfare programs are increasing in numbers and volume so maybe a change is a coming. One thing is certain: folks are beyond fed up with all these little kids ending up dead.

ONE Dr. (private contract) is the only person who can decide if a child has been abused in Maine. This doctor is so far above and beyond his colleagues in determining child abuse, that his word cannot be disturbed. He knows better than even the kids reporting abuse. Last I checked, the Dr. controls (thru dhhs) all the child abuse, aging, adoption, behavioral and mental health. It's a shock that a Dr. lauded as the 'only' child abuse expert pediatrician in the country could have such a margin for error.

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If anyone wants their mind blown look at the federal funding coming into this state annually. Possibly exceeds social welfare. B billions.

Maine citizens have to take a look at this. The children need us.

underfunded? Has anyone seen the funding?I am so sick of this excuse. It has been stated again ad again. Maine should not be rewarded in funding for such a shit program. There's more than enough funding, it's far worse than it appears. If 'funding' was the issue, at some point in Maine DHHS history they had to have some gain or become effective in some cases....nope. Maine is'nt capable of looking beyond the conflict$ to care about little kids. Maine is open for business, the system is'nt broken, it's going swimmingly for the State.

Dhs does more damage to families and kills more kids than it saves. You may not like that statement but read the news and you’ll see it’s on point.

Didn’t that same doctor get sued by a family who had a child with a rare blood disease that caused bruising on his body? Said doctor then had dhhs take the child from the family who had no history of abuse until a doctor in Boston made the finding and then dhhs was just like “whoops” way to traumatize a child and a family.

>kills more kids than it saves

While I have great concerns about the number of little kids who are ending up dead, I find your hyperbole - which is literally not true - to be useless twaddle.

I respect your opinion. I really do. Having seen first hand the absolute failure of the “department” and how it directly impacts lives, they need to be brought to light and completely overhauled. They don’t need more funding they need better leadership. Again while I respect your opinion I will whole heartedly have to disagree. How many kids hurt is enough? I appreciate your respectful comment and will take your down vote.

Spent nearly the majority of my teen years in foster care. Took them several years to get me there. Only when it became apparent that my mother's husband might kill me did an investigator make a home visit. There I was on a cold November afternoon sitting on the porch after school waiting for someone to let me into the house. We spoke for some time before she invited me into her car to warm up. My mother arrived more than an hour later. I've been there, done that and have no desire for other kids to experience the same. The child welfare system needs improved. I've said that before and every time a kid ends up dead, I will repeat that.

You and I are not too far from the same shore. I’m sorry that you went through that as I can relate more than I will go into. My comment may have been harsh and I apologize. I’ve been through that horror I don’t wish it on any one and I just can’t stand to see all these littles getting hurt.

#respect

The same to you.

Didn't they pay an exorbitant amount for an analysis of the department some years ago?

There was an analysis of some sorts, of which I was given a copy. Damn if I can find it, tho.

For all of Maine's problems, it does not match West Virginia's where WVa PBS reporter Amelia Knisely was fired after reporting on the abuse of the disabled in state care. Article here: https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/local-news/2022/12/w-va-public-broadcasting-reporter-released-after-dhhr-pressure/

i would be really surprised. Maine usually avoids liabilty. The 'justice' turns on and off like a faucet. I will look around, but I have not seen anything. In fact, this is the problem.