Latest news with #MelissaHackett
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmaker, advocates say Maine needs new Office of the Child Advocate
May 9—Lawmakers and child welfare advocates want to create a new independent state agency — the Office of the Child Advocate — to strengthen watchdog services, advise state government on child welfare complaints and make recommendations to help improve the child protective system. Maine's child welfare system has been under a critical spotlight for years, with high-profile cases of abuse and neglect, overburdened caseworkers, high turnover among staff, an increased number of children in state custody and longer times for children to reunify with families. A bill sponsored by Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, LD 1893, would replace the ombudsman program that is currently part of the Maine Office of Child and Family Services with a new agency outside that office. The ombudsman's role would be retained and folded into the new independent agency. The current child welfare ombudsman, Christine Alberi, told members of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee on Friday that she supports the bill. Alberi said the proposal would preserve the duties of her office while adding more oversight functions and could be "pivotal in addressing Maine's struggles with older youth." Melissa Hackett, policy associate with the Maine Children's Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group, said the structure of the new agency would help develop a more holistic approach to child welfare. "There are concerns not only with the child welfare system, but also related to children with behavioral health needs, and those involved with the juvenile justice system," Hackett said. "A (currently) siloed approach to these children and youth, who often experience similar challenges that lead them to involvement with multiple systems, constrains our ability to see the broader issues that impact their safety and well-being." The bill does not yet have a fiscal note with information about what the office would cost, but Alberi noted that it would need to be well-funded to be effective. In a 2024 report to lawmakers, Alberi wrote that the "child welfare staff continue to operate under enormous pressure" and that the "systems that surround child welfare are currently unable to support children and families in the way that they should." The number of children in state custody reached its highest level in 20 years in 2024, with more than 2,500 as wards of the state. Permanent placements stood at 22%, far below the national standard of 40%. Former OCFS director Todd Landry resigned under pressure in 2023, replaced by Bobbi Johnson. Abby Stivers, government relations director for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, testified "neither for nor against" the bill. "The department would like more time to consider this proposal," Stivers said. "If enacted, it would have extensive reach throughout state government." She said the new agency would engage not only with DHHS but also with Maine State Police, and the education and corrections departments. "New frameworks like LD 1893 require more thoughtful consideration and engagement with interested parties than we can conduct during this (legislative) session," Stivers said. No one spoke in opposition to the bill. Copy the Story Link
Associated Press
26-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
OneMeta Inc. to Provide Real-Time Multilingual Interpretation Technology For Upcoming UCAP Conference for Help, Hope and Healing
Bountiful, Utah--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2025) - OneMeta Inc. (OTCQB: ONEI) ( the global leader in AI-driven multilingual communication solutions, is honored to announce its collaboration with UCAP ( OneMeta will provide real-time, AI-powered interpretation services using VerbumOnSite during its upcoming conference event: Conference for Help, Hope and Healing on March 1st, 2025. This effort underscores OneMeta's and UCAP's shared commitment to fostering language inclusiveness and raising awareness on critical societal issues. VerbumOnSite will benefit the event by ensuring multilingual attendees can fully engage and connect with the program. Through real-time subtitles in their native language, attendees will experience every session and discussion with unparalleled clarity. This collaboration reinforces UCAP's foundational mission to empower individuals, strengthen families, and unite organizations in the fight against the effects of adult explicit video content through education and collaboration. 'At OneMeta, we believe communication is the bridge to understanding,' said Saúl Leal, CEO of OneMeta Inc. 'Partnering with the UCAP allows us to bring our mission to life by improving accessibility for the Latin community. Together, we aim to break barriers, foster language inclusion, and highlight the critical importance of addressing the fight against the effects of adult explicit video content in our society.' 'We are thrilled to partner with OneMeta for this important event,' said Melissa Hackett, Executive Director of the UCAP. 'Providing this level of accessibility through VerbumOnSite marks a critical step toward expanding our reach and ensuring that all communities can fully engage. Through this collaboration, we continue to work toward a safer and more inclusive Utah.' OneMeta's VerbumOnSite leverages proprietary AI to deliver near-real-time multilingual interpretation across various sectors, from healthcare and education to government and public advocacy events. Its seamless integration makes it an ideal tool for events seeking to ensure inclusivity, connection, and understanding. About OneMeta Inc. OneMeta Inc. is a multilingual enablement company focused on overcoming the communication challenges of a world with many languages. Its proprietary end-to-end natural language processing architecture allows the spoken and written words to be synthesized, translated, and transcribed in less than one second. OneMeta's technology supports real-time web-based and mobile phone-based conversations, discussions, meetings, and online chats in over 140 languages and dialects. OneMeta's technology is fully compliant with SOC2, HIPAA, and GDPR standards, ensuring the highest levels of enterprise security and privacy. OneMeta Inc.: We create a more understanding world.™ The UCAP is committed to empowering individuals, strengthening families, and uniting organizations in the fight against adult explicit video content through education and collaboration. The UCAP provides resources, support groups, and educational events aimed at prevention and recovery. By fostering hope, help, and healing, The UCAP strives to create a society where families are protected, and individuals are equipped to make informed choices regarding media consumption. Join us in our mission to promote a healthier, more informed community. Visit
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Child safety roadmap outlines how agencies, communities can better support Maine families
() Maine is updating its approach for supporting families and children with the hope of minimizing interactions with the state's embattled child welfare system — or avoiding it altogether. Acknowledging that raising a family is resource intensive, a new state report from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Child Welfare Action Network says that every child and family in Maine 'deserves to live in a supportive community where they can access the help they need, when they need it.' The Child Safety and Family Well-Being Plan released Tuesday provides an updated five year roadmap, building off the initial plan from May 2023 that provided a framework for state agencies and communities to bolster support for families. 'It's important that this plan is not just about policies – it is about people,' said Melissa Hackett, coordinator of the Child Welfare Action Network, a group of organizations and individuals supported by the Maine Children's Alliance nonprofit. 'It was shaped by the voices of families and communities, and we invite all Mainers to play a role in making it a success. Since the original plan was put forward two years ago, the state has increased investments in family services and launched a campaign to raise public awareness of various programs and support available to parents and families. Despite that progress, families still 'find themselves interacting with the state's child welfare agency long after needed supports could or should have been accessed,' the updated plan reads. Maine's child welfare system has been the subject of intense scrutiny, with leadership changes, staff vacancies and untenable working conditions for frontline staff. The Legislature's Government Oversight Committee dug into the system last year to learn more about the challenges in the Office of Child and Family Services. That work resulted in more than two dozen suggested reforms for the agency. Oversight panel suggests more than two dozen reforms for Maine child welfare system Parents, caregivers, youth, as well as community leaders collaborated on the revised document. It outlines two core goals aimed at keeping children safe and families strong: for parents and caregivers to provide safety, health and nurturing care for children and for families to experience a supportive and coordinated child safety and family well-being system. To achieve these goals, the report recommends providing families with material and economic support such as transportation, diapers and housing, as well as expanding access to affordable health care and paid leave while strengthening early childhood care and education. The plan also suggests more local efforts to provide necessities like clothes and diapers through 'Community Baby Showers' for new or expectant parents. Support also needs to be timely and with minimal barriers in order to achieve the desired goals, the report explains. This is especially important for helping children and youth access primary care, behavioral health services and mental health resources. The plan also suggests this could be done by expanding peer-to-peer networks and improving access to early intervention services. The roughly 40-page report offers more details on how these strategies and others could be implemented in communities across the state. Maine DHHS said the plan is meant to be a 'living roadmap that can adapt to evolving needs.' 'The new five-year plan released today is a step forward in our efforts to safeguard the well-being of children in Maine,' said DHHS Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
