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Healthy Families Maine: An Historical Perspective

Developed by the Maine Association of CAN Councils In conjunction with Healthy Families Maine Steering Committee For the 119^th Legislative Session

Healthy Families Maine was developed after the Final Report of the Healthy Start Task Force was submitted to the 117^th legislature in the form of LD540, in November 1994. Presently there is a Healthy Families collaboration in every county that works to implement or expand Healthy Start/Healthy Families, investigates existing programs, coordinates outreach to parents, and creates a continuum of parent support and education for all new parents. There are presently 13 "up and running" Healthy Families program sites throughout the state: Van Buren, Machias, Rockland, Dover/Foxcroft, Farmington, Houlton, Portland, Brunswick, Damariscotta, Sanford, Bangor, Augusta/Waterville, Lewiston/Auburn.

In 1995, at the second regular session of the 117^th Legislature, the following Components of the Healthy Start Task Force Recommendations were presented and adopted in total by the Legislature, upon a unanimous report from the Committee on Human Resources:

Sec.1: The Healthy Start Pilot is established by DHS to provide in 3 geographically diverse locations a community-based home visitation program that is preventative, comprehensive, family-focused and universally available within the project areas.

Presently: DHS has financially supported 3 existing sites and helped to establish 3 new sites. Seven others have begun with other funds.

Sec.2: Funds appropriated for FY 1995-96 is $556,842 and for FY 1996-97 is $953,731.

Presently: DHS added to the above appropriations with funds from various federal and state sources, to assist in funding 3 additional sites not required by the legislation. Additionally, they have funded an evaluation component.

This Report, adopted in full by the 117^th Legislature, included increased funding of $1,213,626 in year 3.

Presently: LD 956 has been submitted, requesting $1,634,000 in year 1, only $420,374 more than the amount adopted by the 117^th Legislature.

The rationale in adopting the Healthy Start Task Force Report in 1995:

• Ensures comprehensive, multi-disciplinary child abuse and neglect programs to all who need them;
  
• Provides a significant expansion in the availability of home visitation and follow-up services for ALL families of newborns.
  
• Builds upon the concept that resources devoted to prevention and treatment does not come at the expense of each other.
  
• Facilitates the development of a public/private partnership aimed at enhancing the role of the private sector in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
  
• Requires 10 critical elements for the program to be successful, and make the most impact.
  
• Provides for flexibility in service delivery, which is critical to facilitate integration into a wide range of communities, to foster partnerships with existing service delivery systems, and to support opportunities for innovation.
  

Lucky Hollander,
President,
Maine Association of Child Abuse
and Neglect Councils
(207) 874-1120 02/12/99

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