Posted on November 19, 2019
Click the link below to read the Portland Press Herald's article on Kristin Aiello's recent case before the Maine Human Rights Commission. ...Read More
Posted on October 15, 2019
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Posted on September 17, 2019
The Maine Juvenile Justice System Assessment and Reinvestment Task Force is studying how our state responds to youth in the juvenile justice system. The Task Force will recommend ways that Maine can help young people avoid involvement with the justice system and develop into healthy and productive adults. More information about the Task Force, including a link to this survey, is available online at www.mainejjtaskforce.org. If you are completing a paper copy of this survey, please mail it to the Center for Children’s Law and Policy, which is assisting the Task Force with its work:Center for Children’s Law and PolicyATTN ...Read More
Posted on September 12, 2019
Taken from https://www.mainejjtaskforce.org/about Who We Are Chaired by Rep. Michael Brennan (D-Portland), Department of Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty and Jill Ward of the Maine Center for Juvenile Policy and Law, the Task Force is comprised of government leaders from multiple agencies, legislators, members of the Judiciary, practitioners and individuals from impacted communities. Task Force members will work with national experts to assess the efficacy of the current system and develop recommendations to improve outcomes for system-involved youth. To lead the assessment, the state Juvenile Justice Advisory Group has contracted with the Center for Children's Law and Policy (CCLP) to work ...Read More
Posted on September 05, 2019
Guests:Ross Greene, founder, Lives in the Balance; clinical child psychologist and author of the books The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost & Found, and Raising Human Beings; developed the model of intervention called Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Ben Jones, attorney, Disability Rights Maine, and author of the May 2019 report "Restraint and Seclusion in Maine Schools" Pender Makin, Commissioner, Maine Department of Education Patty Chamard & Jennifer Johnson - Two mothers with children who've been subjected to restraint and seclusion ...Read More
Posted on September 04, 2019
"Supported decision-making, an alternative to guardianship, has made Joshua Strong of Damariscotta a pioneer among Maine’s developmentally challenged."
You can read the full story by clicking the link below and visiting Press Herald's website. ...Read More
Posted on June 10, 2019
Full Report (PDF)Full Report (DOC)Press Release (HTML) ...Read More
Posted on May 17, 2019
For Immediate Release May 16, 2019 Task force created to help transform juvenile justice in MaineNew task force is collaboration of state legislators, the Department of Corrections and the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group AUGUSTA – Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, announced today a newly formed task force to examine the state’s juvenile justice system and develop recommendations for continuum of care for system-involved youth and those at risk for becoming involved in the justice system. Chaired by Brennan, Department of Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty and Jill Ward of the Maine Center for Juvenile Policy and Law, the task force brings together ...Read More
Posted on May 13, 2019
CONTACT: Ben Jonesbjones@drme.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 13, 2019 Disability Rights Maine Report Calls for Action to Address the Rise of Seclusion and Restraint in Maine Schools AUGUSTA – This morning, Disability Rights Maine (DRM) released a report entitled Restraint and Seclusion in Maine Schools: Reviewing the First Six Years of Data Required by MDOE Rule Chapter 33. DRM’s report is based on a review and analysis of the first six years of data collected by the Maine Department of Education, as well as data reported to the federal government and data DRM obtained through public records requests. It serves to ...Read More
Posted on May 10, 2019
Visit the Bangor Daily News site, via link posted below, to read this article. ...Read More
Posted on May 09, 2019
May 3, 2019 Dear Colleague: The Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened at the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, along with Disability Rights Maine Deaf Services, are together writing to let you know that the Legal Interpreting Fund was recently repealed in the Governor’s budget. This fund had paid for interpreters for private lawyers and advocates needing to meet with their Deaf clients and those resources will now be used to assist Deaf Maine citizens in ensuring access to effective communication. As of July 1, 2019 this fund will no longer be available ...Read More
Posted on April 26, 2019
“Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month Events” Monday, May 6th is “Children’s Mental Health Awareness” Day “Suicide Prevention: Strategies that Work” Join us for our kickoff event in collaboration with the Office of Child and Family Services, Children’s Behavioral Health Services! Come and hear from our Governor in addition to several Maine family members and youth who will share their heartfelt stories about suicide and resiliency! The Maine Alliance of Family Organizations and children’s behavioral health providers from across our state will also be present to offer information how they help support the families and youth in Maine!! All parents/caregivers ...Read More
Posted on April 16, 2019
BIAA-ME's 10th Annual Conference on Defining Moments in Brain Injury will take place on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at the University of Southern Maine's Abromson Center in Portland. The conference is open to professionals, survivors, caregivers, students, and anyone interested in learning more about brain injury. Download the "Save the Date" flyer here. Beverley Bryant Memorial Lecture We are currently seeking submissions from Maine brain injury survivors, family members, and others who are interested in giving the Beverley Bryant Memorial Lecture at the conference. You can download the application here. Please submit your application by May 6, 2019, to be ...Read More
Posted on March 20, 2019
Maine kids with disabilities are entitled to quality services in their homes and communities! The legislature is about to consider two crucial issues that impact the well-being of Maine youth with disabilities. First, close to 60 of our youth are in residential treatment programs out of state – some as far away as Utah, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois. This is harmful and painful for youth and families. Second, there are up to 300 residential beds currently licensed in Maine, and hundreds of Maine children waiting for in-home and community services. Yet DHHS has proposed building more institutions for young people ...Read More
Posted on March 07, 2019
For Immediate ReleaseMarch 7, 2019Contact: Annie Clark (Collins) 202-224-2523 Matthew Felling/Jeff Sobotko (King) 202-224-5344 Bipartisan, bicameral bill would streamline federal programs for those looking to modify their homes to support independent living WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today introduced the Senior and Disability Home Modification Assistance Initiative Act with Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, and a group of their colleagues. The legislation would make it easier for older Americans and individuals with disabilities to access federal home modification programs and remain in their homes. By helping these populations navigate and utilize these ...Read More
Posted on February 27, 2019
Chief District Judge Jon D. Levy is pleased to announce that effective March 1, 2019 the Court has appointed Kristin Aiello and Susan Faunce to serve on the Local Rules Advisory Committee. The Local Rules Advisory Committee studies the rules of practice and makes recommendations to the Court concerning its rules and procedures and is a vital link between the practicing bar and the Court. Attorney Kristin Aiello represents individuals with disabilities who have been discriminated against in employment, state and local government and public accommodations. Kristin's work focuses on litigation. She leads the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Team ...Read More
Posted on February 19, 2019
The Office of Child and Family Services invites you to attend a training regarding the Rights of Recipients of Mental Health Services Who Are Children in Need of Treatment and the Educational Rights of Children with Disabilities. This training was developed in partnership with Disability Rights Maine (DRM). The training will review the Rights of Recipients of Mental Health Services Who are Children in Need of Treatment with participants, and discuss real situations. This training will also review obligations of providers to honor children/youth’s rights, and ensure children/youth are aware and understand their rights. Each session will also provide an ...Read More
Posted on January 22, 2019
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Posted on January 17, 2019
Pine Tree Society and Spurwink are pleased to present the 11th annual Southern Maine Autism Conference! The conference is designed for parents and family members of children with autism spectrum disorders, as well as educators and other service providers. The conference is at no charge to the participants, though registration is required as this is often a "sold out" event.
Saturday, March 16, 2019 from 8am-4pm. DoubleTree by Hilton, Portland.
Keynote Presentation You Belong: Stories from our Neurodiverse Friendship
by Kyler Shumway, MA & Daniel Wendler, MA
Follow the Southern Maine Autism Conference Facebook page @southernmaineautismconference for updates & registration announcements
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Posted on January 16, 2019
On April 13, 2018, the President signed the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018 which authorizes the nation’s Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system to monitor and investigate how social security representative payees are administering Social Security funds. The law directs P&As to conduct periodic, onsite individual or organizational representative payee reviews along with additional discretionary reviews. In addition, the P&As conduct educational visits and conduct reviews based on allegations they receive of payee misconduct.
Rep Payee Program Handout (PDF) ...Read More
Posted on January 10, 2019
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Posted on January 10, 2019
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Kirsten Capeless, Maine Department of Health and Human Services(207) 624-7900 or kirsten.capeless@maine.gov Maine Department of Health and Human Services Releases Report of Children’s Behavioral Health Services The Mills Administration today released a report completed during the LePage Administration on children’s behavioral health. Augusta, MAINE – The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today released a comprehensive assessment of Maine’s Children Behavioral Health Services (CBHS), conducted by Public Consulting Group, that identifies strengths, weaknesses, and gaps within the CBHS system of care. This independent evaluation conducted by national experts has provided beneficial insight into ...Read More
