The Record | Maine’s Child Welfare Ombudsman Has Raised Similar Concerns for Years. What Should the Public Take Away?
For years, Maine’s Child Welfare Ombudsman has identified recurring concerns within the state’s child welfare system while also recognizing areas of measurable improvement. In this installment of The Record, The Maine Mirror examines what the reports say, what questions remain, and why preserving the public record matters.
The Maine Mirror Solutions Hub | Proposal #001: A 90-Day DHHS Whistleblower Intake Task Force
Could a 90-day DHHS Whistleblower Intake Task Force strengthen transparency and accountability in Maine? Here’s one proposal for identifying patterns of alleged fraud and misconduct.
Federal Audit Found Widespread Policy Failures in Maine’s Child Welfare Agency. What Can We Learn From It?
A federal audit found that Maine’s Office of Child and Family Services failed to fully comply with required child welfare policies in 94 of 100 reviewed cases. In the first installment of The Record, The Maine Mirror examines the findings, DHHS’s response, and why preserving the public record matters.
The Footage Exists: Following the Paper Trail Through Maine’s Judicial Branch
What began as a request for preserved courthouse security footage evolved into a complex examination of administrative procedure, disability accommodation, and institutional accountability. When the footage was confirmed to exist but the path to obtain it remained unclear, a simple records request became a paper trail raising broader questions about transparency, access, and the mechanisms citizens rely upon when seeking answers from public institutions.