May 30,2018 Government Oversight Committee Cross Office Building, Room 214 10 State House Station Augusta, ME 04330-0100 Dear Members of the Government Oversight Committe: ‘We have received your invitation fora representative ofthe Department of Health and Human Services to address the Government Oversight Committee during its public hearing on Thursday, May 31 Given the restietions in sate and federal law regarding what canbe discussed ina public forum due to the need to protect confidentiality and the ongoing prosecutions where we seek justice forthe deaths of two children, itis inappropriate at this time to have a representative of DHHS at any level tures questions without fret being able tobe advised by counsel ax to what can and cannot be sai Ttowould be awkward at best and potentially jeopardize the eriminal proceedings if an oficial were to inadvertently reveal confidential information in thee atempt to answer the questions being raised by the committee. Unscripted, offthe-cufT questions and answers would jeopardize the eaeful work that has been done so far by DHHS, DOE, DPS, the Attorney General's Office, and the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA), ‘To that end, therefore, we will continue to answer OPEGA's questions in writing, as we have been, 0 the answers can undergo the appropriate confidentiality review by the Attomey General's Office. | have enclosed copy of a report with DHHS" initial findings as to what can be improved in operations and management ofthe Child Welfare System. DHHS has already implemented several of these reforms; these are identified inthe report. Many ofthese reforms can be implemented with poliey changes and do not requite legislation. Others, including positon reclassification and Improved communication and management systems may require additional funding. Some reforms will require legislation, First, we willbe recommending that Maine's statutes are revised so thatthe priority is on what is best forthe child, not family reunification, Placing the prety on family unification fores the system and the courts to try to keep vulnerable children in a family when the best thing would be to remove the child from th situation. Parents who are unable or refuse 1o effectively take on the challenge of parenting should not be foreed hy goverament to remain with a child, leaving the child vulnerable to neglect and abuse. 8‘Second, we must replace the outdated computer system with a moder system that will provide beter ‘communication and access to case histories, More information made available in a way that makes it ‘actionable ina timely manner will improve staf and system-wide effectiveness, producing beter ‘outcomes fr the children under our care. Ths is an investment in our children, Third, we will request thatthe Legislature—for the second time in my administration—eriminalize the failure to comply with the mandatory reporting statute. Mandatory reporters must not hesitate or second-guess whether they should report something that gives them any reason to suspect tha child is being abused. Making the failure to report a cass E crime provides an additional incentive to ensure that mandatory reporters at promply, potentially saving a child's lie 'As we continue our review ofthe child welfare system, additonal statutory changes may be recommended. The overarching priority in our review is what i best forthe child | agree with many of the frustrations expressed thatthe statutes governing Maine's child welfare system have misplaced priorities and created circumstances that make it difficult to havea fall and frank discussion, However, we must praceed in a manner that doesnot jeopardize any pending prosecution so that justice is served forthe children who so tragically lost ther lives. 'As a person who has personally experienced the trauma of growing up in an abusive home, [take the responsibilty of ensuring these reforms are implemented and the system improved so that the people fof Maine ean be assured not only that a child ina erisis is provided the utmost protection but also that abusers are held accountable. Sincerely, SB RleP ge Paul LePage Goreme ce: Beth Asherofl, Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability