The Maine Children’s Alliance bid farewell today to Elinor Goldberg, who built the organization up from its inception 17 years ago through her tireless advocacy for Maine’s children and families. Goldberg has decided to retire from her position as MCA’s executive vice president. 
“Ellie is leaving all of us at MCA an incredible legacy,” said Dean Crocker, MCA president and CEO. “She has been at various times my employee, my boss, my mentor and a great friend. I can say for myself and for the Board of Directors that we fully appreciate the gift she has been to MCA and to Maine’s children, and I wish her many years of new challenges ahead.”
Goldberg served as MCA’s president and CEO from April 1994 through July 2009, when she transitioned into her current role. She is widely considered one of Maine’s most effective child advocates. Known for her personal touch and dedication, she saw her mission as “giving Maine’s children a voice” in the halls of the State House and on the federal level.
Her contributions to children and their families include direct service, multi-media advocacy, organization and development of services, community organization and public policy advocacy.
Prior to joining the Maine Children’s Alliance, Elinor spent 25 years providing direct services for children and families including welfare, child welfare case management and supervision and in substance abuse counseling and community organizing.
Under her leadership, MCA grew to become the premier advocate for children in Maine, resulting in a long list of victories for children and their families including:
“Ellie is leaving all of us at MCA an incredible legacy,” said Dean Crocker, MCA president and CEO. “She has been at various times my employee, my boss, my mentor and a great friend. I can say for myself and for the Board of Directors that we fully appreciate the gift she has been to MCA and to Maine’s children, and I wish her many years of new challenges ahead.”
Goldberg served as MCA’s president and CEO from April 1994 through July 2009, when she transitioned into her current role. She is widely considered one of Maine’s most effective child advocates. Known for her personal touch and dedication, she saw her mission as “giving Maine’s children a voice” in the halls of the State House and on the federal level.
Her contributions to children and their families include direct service, multi-media advocacy, organization and development of services, community organization and public policy advocacy.
Prior to joining the Maine Children’s Alliance, Elinor spent 25 years providing direct services for children and families including welfare, child welfare case management and supervision and in substance abuse counseling and community organizing.
Under her leadership, MCA grew to become the premier advocate for children in Maine, resulting in a long list of victories for children and their families including: - Expansion of Maine’s Medicaid program to include what was initially called “Cub Care”. Now known as SCHIP, her leadership has expanded health care coverage to Maine’s children;
- MCA and its KIDS COUNT data report is the first place policy makers look for information about the status of children and youth;
- MCA negotiated successfully with healthcare insurers to cover, for the first time, school-based health services, enabling a statewide expansion of school-based health clinics;
- Organization of the Start ME Right coalition that successfully advocated for a large set aside of tobacco settlement funds for early childhood and tax incentives for childcare and businesses; and
- Establishment of the Ombudsman for Child Welfare, a program that has successfully advocated for major reform in Maine’s child welfare system.