Bangor Daily News, by Caitlin Andrews AUGUSTA, Maine — The Democratic-led Maine House of Representatives endorsed a bill that would reduce the possession of scheduled drugs from a crime to a civil penalty on Thursday in a victory for criminal justice reform advocates this session. The bill from Rep. Anne Perry, D-Calais, is one of the biggest pieces of criminal justice legislation introduced in Maine this year. It would follow a model implemented in Oregon, where people who possess a ... Read More ›
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Staff Shortages Threaten Mental-Health System for Basic Services
Staff Shortages Threaten Mental-Health System for Basic Services May 25, 2021 - Suzanne Potter, Public News Service (ME) Play Audio in Browser Window A recent juvenile-justice task force found that many youths are in detention because of a lack of community-based alternatives and wait lists for existing programs. (Chatiyanon/Adobestock) AUGUSTA, Maine -- With about three weeks left in the legislative session, mental-health advocates want lawmakers to ... Read More ›
Direct-care agencies urge Maine lawmakers to raise reimbursement rates
The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee is considering several bills that would boost the pay for those who provide direct care to Mainers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. "Shaughnessy also urged the Legislature to act quickly. “We need something now,” Shaughnessy said. “Not in a year. Now is when we need it." The pandemic has only exacerbated the longstanding reimbursement problem, leaving workers, agencies and those they care for in crisis, Shaughnessy ... Read More ›
With involuntary commitment, where should Maine draw the line?
A bill before the Legislature raises tough questions about forcing people into inpatient mental health treatment. BY BILL NEMITZCOLUMNIST Click Here for Full Article "Some bills wind their way through the legislative process with nary a raised eyebrow. Others leave lawmakers in a moral quandary, caught between one side that says do something and another that says don’t. L.D. 785 is one of those others. It’s titled “An Act to Change the Standard for Assessing Risk of Serious Harm.” ... Read More ›
Mental Health Crisis: The Pandemic Has Exacerbated The Challenges Facing Those Who Need Mental Health Care In Maine
MaineCalling Full Broadcast Here. Maine’s mental health system was already in crisis before the pandemic hit, with shortages of facilities and providers to meet the needs of those dealing with mental health issues. The restrictions and safety demands of the pandemic have made things worse. We’ll learn about the many challenges faced by both patients and health professionals, and some of the actions being taken to implement change. Guests Mary Jane Krebs, president, Spring Harbor ... Read More ›
Mainers for Tax Fairness Coalition launched
Mainers for Tax Fairness coalition launched our efforts today to clean up our tax code, return balance to its impacts, and provide the funding to invest back into our state, our communities, and our people. Our people deserve the investment! We are thrilled to see this effort move forward and to participate in making these needed changes!! Please join us. Watch Here ... Read More ›
A coalition of 13 organizations sent a joint letter to members of the 130th Maine Legislature on Wednesday calling on them to raise $400 million in new annual revenue to spur Maine’s recovery from the pandemic and fund long-standing unmet needs in health care, childcare, education, housing, food security, local services and infrastructure.
https://mainebeacon.com/coalition-urges-mills-to-raise-revenue-to-aid-recovery-address-long-unmet-needs/ ... Read More ›
Children in crisis increasingly have no place to go, but help may be on the way
https://portlandphoenix.me/where-do-kids-detox/ ... Read More ›
Vision For An Equitable Maine Launched
PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: Alison Weiss Maine Equal Justice (207) 232-0859 or aweiss@mejp.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 23, 2021 Maine groups and community members share their “Vision for an Equitable Maine” and coordinate Day of Action to spotlight ways our “new normal” must be more equitable AUGUSTA – As Mainers anxiously wait for their vaccinations, and legislators work to craft a state budget to help Maine recover from the consequences of the pandemic, 50 ... Read More ›
Northern Light Health provides $10K for access to behavioral health resources
Many have suffered hardships in our communities and will continue to do so until the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us. Northern Light Health is dedicated to supporting our communities by upholding our tradition of partnering with others to better serve and support Maine people in need. In the spirit of collaboration and in this time of extraordinary need, the statewide health delivery system made a $10,000 donation to the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine (The Alliance). ... Read More ›