Please go to the Portland Press Herald to read the full article. 

A new report from the agency’s Office of Child and Family Services recommends 33 additional caseworkers, on top of 33 already funded by the Legislature, to handle a growing volume of abuse and neglect reports.

By: Joe Lawlor, Staff Writer

~~Excerpt

Maine’s child welfare agency said Tuesday that the state needs to double the number of new caseworkers to handle an increasing number of abuse and neglect complaints.

Lawmakers approved 33 additional caseworkers last session and the Maine Office of Child and Family Services is now hiring to fill those positions, with 22 filled so far. On Tuesday, a report by the agency said an additional 33 are needed, which, if approved, would bring the total number of caseworkers to 380.