Maine KIDS COUNT
Press Release for National KIDS COUNT Data Book
Maine Recognized for Its Achievement
In Helping Children Find a Permanent Home
2007 National KIDS COUNT Report Released
AUGUSTA - Maine's child welfare program was lauded for its leadership, policy changes, organizational restructuring and its many initiatives that have helped more Maine children and youth find permanent homes and placement with their families or relatives.
The 2007 KIDS COUNT Data Book, released on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, featured the essay "Lifelong Family Connections: Supporting Permanence for Children in Foster Care." In it, Maine's commitment to reform and the success that has followed is showcased.
"Overall, this work has had significant impacts,'' wrote Douglas Nelson, president of the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore. "Maine has seen reductions in the number of youth in both congregate care and out-of-home care."
From June 2004 to December 2006, the number of children in congregate care dropped from 761 to 400. "This is particularly significant since it had been assumed that group care was the only option for many of these youth. Those who left congregate care either went home to their own families, to relatives or to foster homes, with flexible services to meet their needs."
During that same timeframe, the total number of youth in out-of-home care decreased to 2,262 - a 27 percent reduction and the lowest number in a decade. The state saved more than $7.4 million implementing this new process and has re-invested $4 million to programs that will further successful permanency outcomes.
"While keeping children safe is an essential role and responsibility of our child welfare systems, the full measure of our success should be how fully the systems assure strong and safe lifelong families for every child they serve,'' Nelson said. 12,000 Maine children have found safe homes with relatives, like grandparents who provide care for 5,000 children, according to the Census.
"I think we would all agree that every child needs a home,'' said Dean Crocker, at a press conference Wednesday. "While there's much more work to be done, it's a credit to Governor Baldacci, his Administration, the providers of care, advocates and the child welfare system as a whole, that Maine has made such great strides in such a short period."
Each year, the KIDS COUNT Data Book provides information and statistical trends on the condition of America's children and families. In its 18th year, the book ranks states in 10 categories and presents an overall, aggregate ranking. In 2007, Maine ranks 15th in overall well-being, and in the top 10 in three categories (low-birth weight, teen birth rate, percentage of teens not in school and working).
The full 2007 KIDS COUNT Data Book is available at www.kidscount.org
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(The Maine Children's Alliance is a statewide, non-profit, non-partisan organization advocating on behalf of all Maine children.)
Maine KIDS COUNT is funded through the generous support of The Annie E. Casey Foundation
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