MaineFailed Maine proposal would fund two family support navigators
The failed proposal would have funded two Maine community navigators to guide mandated reporters and connect some families with local services.
What it does
Two Maine councils, one in the north and one in the south, would each get a community navigator position funded at $90,000 per year.
Navigators would help mandated reporters learn about local services and how to refer families, and guide them on working directly with families.
Navigators would connect families whose reports do not lead to an investigation with community services, when support could help prevent future child protection involvement.
Argument forFamilies whose reports do not lead to an investigation could get help finding services, which may reduce the need for child protection involvement later.
Argument againstCouncils may have limited time to help families across two regions, since the proposal funds only two navigator positions for up to two years.
More detail
The Department of Health and Human Services would contract with two child abuse prevention councils to run a family navigator pilot. The pilot would have two community navigators, one working through each selected council. The department would choose councils prepared to take part, with one in northern Maine and one in southern Maine. The proposal provides $90,000 per navigator each year; it also lists state funding for the pilot. The department would have to award the contracts by July 1, 2026. The pilot could last no longer than two years.
Each community navigator would educate and guide mandated reporters. This applies to mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect. Guidance would cover local services, how to refer families, and ways to work directly with families instead of only reporting suspected abuse or neglect.
Community navigators would connect screened-out families with community services. A screened-out family is one reported to the department for suspected child abuse or neglect when the department decides the report does not meet its criteria for a child protection investigation. Navigators would refer families likely to benefit from support that could help prevent future child protection involvement. Services could include health care, housing, food, child care, transportation, job training, and substance use treatment.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Died
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 29Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)Died
- 2025
- Jun 25CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
- Jun 12On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence
- Jun 11Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jun 11FINALLY PASSED.Passed 1st Chamber
- Jun 11Ordered sent down forthwith.
- Jun 11Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-613), in concurrence.Minor
- Jun 11Committee Amendment "A" (H-613) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Minor
- Jun 11READ ONCE.Minor
- Jun 11Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.
- Jun 10Reported Out - OTP-AM
- Jun 10Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jun 10The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-613).Minor
- Jun 10Under suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.
- Jun 10CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAY
- May 14Voted - OTP-AM
- May 14Work Session Held
- Mar 25The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES in concurrenceMinor
- Mar 25Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Mar 25The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.Minor
- Mar 25Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.Introduced
Public SafetyHealthcareMental Health