DHHS Commissioner Said More Caseworkers Are Being Hired

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Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew says the agency has hired 39 new staff members, including 16 more caseworkers under the new administration.

Lambrew spoke Friday as the Government Oversight Committee held a public hearing after a legislative watchdog found many child protective caseworkers are overworked, and have a caseload that’s too large.

The committee started reviewing Maine’s child protective system last year after two children died from abuse, 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy and 4-year-old Kendall Chick.

WGME-TV reports that the committee heard from several people urging lawmakers to push for what they call overdue changes in the department along with further investigation.

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