Plan Builds on Progress Uniting Communities, Organizations, and Leaders to Strengthen Support for Families
AUGUSTA-- The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Maine Child Welfare Action Network (MCWAN) today announced the release of Maine's Child Safety and Family Well-Being Plan (2025-2030), a comprehensive five-year plan aimed at promoting the safety and well-being of children in Maine by strengthening support for families.
Recognizing that children, youth, and families too often end up interacting with Maine's child welfare agency long after needed supports could or should have been accessed, Governor Mills in early 2023 announced that DHHS and MCWAN would partner to develop a plan to ensure families in Maine have the support they need, when they need it. In May 2023, DHHS and MCWAN released an initial plan, providing a framework for state agencies and communities to enhance available support for children and families.
The new five-year plan released today builds on this 2023 framework, by further aligning state agencies, community partners, and individuals around the guiding principle that keeping children safe starts with keeping families strong. The plan, which was developed in collaboration with parents, caregivers, youth, community leaders, and state and local partners, acknowledges that creating a state where children, parents, and caregivers have the support they need to thrive requires collaboration across communities and sectors.
"The new five-year plan released today is a step forward in our efforts to safeguard the well-being of children in Maine," said Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes. "This framework will guide collective efforts to prioritize and strengthen prevention measures, which are key to laying a strong foundation of safety and stability that benefits every child and family in Maine."
"This plan establishes a shared commitment to ensuring children and their families can get the help they need, when they need it. It's important that this plan is not just about policies -- it is about people," said MCWAN Coordinator, Melissa Hackett. "It was shaped by the voices of families and communities, and we invite all Mainers to play a role in making it a success."
About the Plan
The Maine Child Safety and Family Well-Being Plan (2025-2030) builds on the initial plan, which was released in May 2023 and provided the foundation for a coordinated child safety and family well-being system. Since then, Maine has made notable progress, including:
- Increased legislative investments in family support services.
- Strengthened community collaboration to expand local support networks.
- Launched the "Be There for ME" campaign to raise awareness of support for parents and caregivers.
The new plan includes updated goals and strategies to advance family well-being and underscores that state and community partners share responsibility for realizing this plan.
The plan includes two core goals and aligned strategies to proactively support families and strengthen the network of resources available statewide.
- Goal 1: Parents and caregivers provide safety, health, and nurturing care for their children.
- Goal 2: Families experience a supportive and coordinated child safety and family well-being system.
The 2025-2030 plan is intended to be a living roadmap that can adapt to evolving needs of families and communities, while reinforcing that improving child safety in Maine depends on collaboration at every level -- from state agencies and local organizations to neighbors, educators, and health professionals.
Get more information about Maine's Child Safety and Family Well-Being Plan.