AUGUSTA - Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, introduced legislation Friday before the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee that would improve training and professional development for child protective caseworkers.
LD 1013 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to create a training protocol for child protective caseworkers that would include smaller caseloads as well as additional supervision during a caseworker's first year of employment. The bill would also require ongoing professional development for all child protective caseworkers and supervisors, including mentoring and wellness support.
"Our child protective caseworkers are committed to ensuring that all Maine children are safe, and we need to make sure were supporting them in every way possible," said Madigan. "Continuing professional development, in addition to wellness support, will help to improve their skills while also making sure that they're not getting burned out by overwhelming caseloads."
The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Madigan is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents House District 64, which includes parts of Waterville and Winslow. She serves on the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Madigan], c. 305-965-2744