Frustrated lawmakers back proposal to create a separate child welfare department

A Proposal to Reform Maine’s Child Welfare System

A proposal to reform Maine’s beleaguered child welfare system by creating a new department in state government received strong support in the Maine Senate Wednesday from lawmakers frustrated with long-standing problems.

Background

The Senate vote comes as lawmakers have been working to revamp the child welfare agency overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services. The Office of Child and Family Services has come under intense scrutiny in recent years following the deaths of several children from abuse or neglect after past contact with the agency. The office also has struggled with staffing vacancies, high caseloads among child welfare workers and a shortage of foster families.

The Proposal

The bill, known as L.D. 779, would establish a Department of Child and Family Services separate from DHHS to oversee child welfare, children’s behavioral health, and early childhood services. It would have its own commissioner who reports to the governor.

Support and Opposition

The proposal was approved 22-8 with bipartisan support in an initial vote in the Maine Senate Wednesday and will now be sent to the House of Representatives. However, the Mills administration has called for an in-depth review of the proposed reorganization.

Some lawmakers who opposed the proposal said they too would want to see a review done before getting behind the plan.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The reform of Maine’s child welfare system aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. Goal 1: No Poverty
2. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
3. Goal 4: Quality Education
4. Goal 5: Gender Equality
5. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
6. Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Conclusion

The proposal to reform Maine’s child welfare system by creating a new department has received strong support in the Maine Senate. However, further votes and a review of the proposed reorganization are still needed. The reform aligns with several SDGs and aims to address long-standing problems within the child welfare agency.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
• Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
• Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims and the poor and vulnerable.
• Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate.
• Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning and psychosocial well-being, by sex.
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.
• Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar), disaggregated by sex, and by economic classification.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: pressherald.com

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