Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Rally to Prevent Child Abuse Tuesday, April 30, 2024 @ 10 AM Maine State House

April is child abuse prevention month.

Join Walk a Mile in Their Shoes in supporting and raising awareness of child abuse prevention.

Maine has a problem. We are double the national average for child maltreatment. 48 children have died since 2021.

Please come show your support and be the voice for the countless abused children in Maine. This has to end and together, we are the solution.

Please help to spread the word!

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Rally to Prevent Child Abuse Tuesday, April 30, 2024 @ 10 AM Maine State House

April is child abuse prevention month.

Join Walk a Mile in Their Shoes in supporting and raising awareness of child abuse prevention.

Maine has a problem. We are double the national average for child maltreatment. 48 children have died since 2021.

Please come show your support and be the voice for the countless abused children in Maine. This has to end and together, we are the solution.

Please help to spread the word!

Abused Children Need a Voice

Caseworkers and foster parents face a lot of challenges impacting the safety of abused children in Maine. Watch an anonymous—fear of retaliation—caseworker and foster parent Melanie Blair become the voices for abused children in Maine and discuss the importance of Walk a Mile in Their Shoes’s work.

Abused Children Need a Voice

Caseworkers and foster parents face a lot of challenges impacting the safety of abused children in Maine. Watch an anonymous—fear of retaliation—caseworker and foster parent Melanie Blair become the voices for abused children in Maine and discuss the importance of Walk a Mile in Their Shoes’s work.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Releases Report Entitled “Unsupported: Key Lessons for Improving Maine’s Child Welfare System by Supporting All Stakeholders”

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Walk a Mile in Their Shoes released its report entitled “Unsupported: Key Lessons for Improving Maine’s Child Welfare System by Supporting All Stakeholders.”

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes founder Bill Diamond said, “This report is the result of 10 months of in-depth interviews throughout Maine with those who interact with DHHS on a regular basis. This type of person-to-person research has never been done before in our state.”

The report finds that caseworkers, foster parents, children, and other stakeholders are left without adequate backing by the Department of Health and Human Services and examines areas of concern, who is impacted, straightforward solutions, and what success looks like. The report is the culmination of listening sessions and meetings with concerned citizens across Maine interested in providing better and safer outcomes for children in Maine’s care.

“It’s now up to DHHS to make the necessary changes in their own internal policies and procedures which have been failing children for years,” said Diamond. “This report offers specific solutions to the problems that we all recognize as serious threats to children in state care.”

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes plans on continuing interviews with stakeholders across Maine to monitor progress on DHHS's efforts to improve a system that many recognize as flawed and sometimes needlessly puts children in danger.

“This report is only the beginning of what needs to be an intensive and determined effort to fix our broken state child protection system,” said Diamond.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Releases Report Entitled “Unsupported: Key Lessons for Improving Maine’s Child Welfare System by Supporting All Stakeholders”

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Walk a Mile in Their Shoes released its report entitled “Unsupported: Key Lessons for Improving Maine’s Child Welfare System by Supporting All Stakeholders.”

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes founder Bill Diamond said, “This report is the result of 10 months of in-depth interviews throughout Maine with those who interact with DHHS on a regular basis. This type of person-to-person research has never been done before in our state.”

The report finds that caseworkers, foster parents, children, and other stakeholders are left without adequate backing by the Department of Health and Human Services and examines areas of concern, who is impacted, straightforward solutions, and what success looks like. The report is the culmination of listening sessions and meetings with concerned citizens across Maine interested in providing better and safer outcomes for children in Maine’s care.

“It’s now up to DHHS to make the necessary changes in their own internal policies and procedures which have been failing children for years,” said Diamond. “This report offers specific solutions to the problems that we all recognize as serious threats to children in state care.”

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes plans on continuing interviews with stakeholders across Maine to monitor progress on DHHS's efforts to improve a system that many recognize as flawed and sometimes needlessly puts children in danger.

“This report is only the beginning of what needs to be an intensive and determined effort to fix our broken state child protection system,” said Diamond.

How many times are too many times to FAIL Maddox Williams?

Maddox was FAILED by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services when it removed him from his grandmother’s safe and loving household and placed him with his biological mother who had a history of violence, drug use, and criminal offenses.

Maddox was FAILED by his biological mother, Jessica Trefethen when she murdered him after torturing him over a long period of time.

Maddox was FAILED by the government watchdog agency (Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability) when they exonerated DHHS by saying that “no unsound decisions” were made in the Williams case despite significant evidence to the contrary.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes will NOT FAIL Maddox.

We will keep his memory alive and hold those accountable who were responsible for his death or choose to absolve those who were.

Together we can fix Maine’s broken child protective system.

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maddox_photo_web

How many times are too many times to FAIL Maddox Williams?

Maddox was FAILED by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services when it removed him from his grandmother’s safe and loving household and placed him with his biological mother who had a history of violence, drug use, and criminal offenses.

Maddox was FAILED by his biological mother, Jessica Trefethen when she murdered him after torturing him over a long period of time.

Maddox was FAILED by the government watchdog agency (Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability) when they exonerated DHHS by saying that “no unsound decisions” were made in the Williams case despite significant evidence to the contrary.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes will NOT FAIL Maddox.

We will keep his memory alive and hold those accountable who were responsible for his death or choose to absolve those who were.

Together we can fix Maine’s broken child protective system.

We are bringing needed attention to a broken Child Protection system that is failing kids.

Your support helps in our efforts to protect vulnearble Maine kids.

In the photo left to right - SLRCC Board Chair, Jonathan Priest, Walk a Mile in Their Shoes
Founder, Bill Diamond, and SLRCC President/CEO, Robin Mullins. Photo taken by: SLRCC Office Manager, Denise Dyer
In the photo left to right - SLRCC Board Chair, Jonathan Priest, Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Founder, Bill Diamond, and SLRCC President/CEO, Robin Mullins. Photo taken by: SLRCC Office Manager, Denise Dyer

Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Endorses Walk a Mile in Their Shoes

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Too many Maine children under the supervision of DHHS suffer terrible abuse and even worse, a record number of children are dying horrible deaths. It’s time we all stood together to say, “enough is enough” and acknowledge the fact that the system protecting our children is broken and we all need to work together to fix it…now not later!

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Too many Maine children under the supervision of DHHS suffer terrible abuse and even worse, a record number of children are dying horrible deaths. It’s time we all stood together to say, “enough is enough” and acknowledge the fact that the system protecting our children is broken and we all need to work together to fix it…now not later!

Save Maine's Kids Statewide Listening Tour

Want to discuss Maine’s Office of Child and Family Services?

You’re invited to our community meetings to voice your concerns, questions, and frustrations.

Thursday, July 20, 2023

6-8 p.m. • Aquaboggan Water Park, 980 Portland Rd., Saco

Thursday, August 3, 2023

6-8 p.m. • Topsham Baptist Church, 52 Roman Rd., Tosham

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Former Assistant AG Lou Ann Clifford is interviewed following the Save Maine's Kids Statewide Listening Tour stop in Auburn on April 17.

Senator Jeff Timberlake provides comments following the Save Maine's Kids Statewide Listening Tour stop in Auburn on April 17.

The Hon. Joyce Maker discusses information shared at the first stop of the Save Maine's Kids Statewide Listening Tour in Calais on March 30.

Save Maine's Kids Statewide Listening Tour

Want to discuss Maine’s Office of Child and Family Services?

You’re invited to our community meetings to voice your concerns, questions, and frustrations.

Thursday, July 20, 2023

6-8 p.m. • Aquaboggan Water Park, 980 Portland Rd., Saco

Thursday, August 3, 2023

6-8 p.m. • Topsham Baptist Church, 52 Roman Rd., Tosham

tour_map_080323

Former Assistant AG Lou Ann Clifford is interviewed following the Save Maine's Kids Statewide Listening Tour stop in Auburn on April 17.

Senator Jeff Timberlake provides comments following the Save Maine's Kids Statewide Listening Tour stop in Auburn on April 17.

The Hon. Joyce Maker discusses information shared at the first stop of the Save Maine's Kids Statewide Listening Tour in Calais on March 30.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes interviews Alison Porter who is Hailey Goding's great aunt. Hailey died on June 6, 2021 due to being placed with an unsafe person by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes interviews Alison Porter who is Hailey Goding's great aunt. Hailey died on June 6, 2021 due to being placed with an unsafe person by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

Formation of New Nonprofit Corporation Announcement

Former Senator Bill Diamond announced the formation of a new nonprofit corporation dedicated to the prevention of child homicides and the abuse of children who are under the supervision or direct care of the State of Maine or who are or have been associated with the state’s Child Protective System.

Speakers include Hon. Bill Diamond, Sen. Jeff Timberlake, Melanie Blair, Victoria Vose (grandmother of Maddox Williams), Hon. Patrick Corey, and Hon. Michael Carpenter.

Formation of New Nonprofit Corporation Announcement

Former Senator Bill Diamond announced the formation of a new nonprofit corporation dedicated to the prevention of child homicides and the abuse of children who are under the supervision or direct care of the State of Maine or who are or have been associated with the state’s Child Protective System.

Speakers include Hon. Bill Diamond, Sen. Jeff Timberlake, Melanie Blair, Victoria Vose (grandmother of Maddox Williams), Hon. Patrick Corey, and Hon. Michael Carpenter.

Dedicated to the Children in the State of Maine's Care

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes is a 501 c3 nonprofit corporation registered in the State of Maine. We are guided by a Board of Advisors consisting of experts in the field of child protection, state government agencies and child welfare.

Our mission and purpose are the prevention of child homicides and the abuse of children who are under the supervision or care of the State of Maine or who are or have been associated with the state Child Protection System in any manner.

Senator Bill Diamond, founder of Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, will focus on initiating in-depth research on child welfare, holding public forums to promote wide-ranging discussions by experts in the field of child protection, and creating public awareness pertaining to the ongoing problems within the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) under the jurisdiction of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Our nonprofit will reach out to all interested people and groups who want to join us in our efforts to protect vulnerable children in Maine. We seek advice and support from all; especially those who are subject to State rules and regulations and work directly with OCFS on a regular basis such as foster care parents, child care professionals, adopters and others.

We acknowledge that within the OCFS there are many sincere people who have and continue to dedicate themselves to the well- being of children under their care and jurisdiction. However, we also are fully aware of the serious ongoing problems within the management at OCFS, including their obvious struggle in making appropriate decisions to keep children safe as was illustrated by the record number of child deaths in 2021.

Senator Bill Diamond
Senator Bill Diamond, Founder of Walk a Mile in Their Shoes

Dedicated to the Children in the State of Maine's Care

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes is a 501 c3 nonprofit corporation registered in the State of Maine. We are guided by a Board of Advisors consisting of experts in the field of child protection, state government agencies and child welfare.

Our mission and purpose are the prevention of child homicides and the abuse of children who are under the supervision or care of the State of Maine or who are or have been associated with the state Child Protection System in any manner.

Senator Bill Diamond, founder of Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, will focus on initiating in-depth research on child welfare, holding public forums to promote wide-ranging discussions by experts in the field of child protection, and creating public awareness pertaining to the ongoing problems within the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) under the jurisdiction of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Our nonprofit will reach out to all interested people and groups who want to join us in our efforts to protect vulnerable children in Maine. We seek advice and support from all; especially those who are subject to State rules and regulations and work directly with OCFS on a regular basis such as foster care parents, child care professionals, adopters and others.

We acknowledge that within the OFCS there are many sincere people who have and continue to dedicate themselves to the well- being of children under their care and jurisdiction. However, we also are fully aware of the serious ongoing problems within the management at OCFS, including their obvious struggle in making appropriate decisions to keep children safe as was illustrated by the record number of child deaths in 2021.

Senator Bill Diamond
Senator Bill Diamond, Founder of Walk a Mile in Their Shoes

Key takeaways from the Government Oversight Committee’s investigation of child deaths in Maine.

“Mandated reporters we surveyed, as well as parent group representatives we interviewed, expressed some frustration that the State is not investing more in efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect, particularly given that the Office of Child and Family Services has seen increasing numbers of reports of abuse and neglect;…” Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability presented to the Government Oversight Committee of the Maine Legislature, (March 2022)

Due to the record number of children who died while under State care or supervision in 2021, the Maine Legislature's Government Oversight Committee did a year long investigation into Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The investigation revealed the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) continually fails to keep children safe from abuse and death. In some cases OCFS failed to have safety plans in place and failed to monitor children who could be at risk. For example, child safety procedures within DHHS were considered strong in only 14% of the cases investigated.
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opega_ocfs_report_table07

Tables from the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability presented to the Government Oversight Committee of the Maine Legislature, (March 2022)

https://legislature.maine.gov/doc/8493

Key takeaways from the Government Oversight Committee’s investigation of child deaths in Maine.

“Mandated reporters we surveyed, as well as parent group representatives we interviewed, expressed some frustration that the State is not investing more in efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect, particularly given that the Office of Child and Family Services has seen increasing numbers of reports of abuse and neglect;…” — March 2022 OPEGA Investigative Report

Due to the record number of children who died while under State care or supervision in 2021, the Maine Legislature's Government Oversight Committee did a year long investigation into Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The investigation revealed the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) continually fails to keep children safe from abuse and death. In some cases OCFS failed to have safety plans in place and failed to monitor children who could be at risk. For example, child safety procedures within DHHS were considered strong in only 14% of the cases investigated.
opega_ocfs_report_table06
opega_ocfs_report_table07

Tables from the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability presented to the Government Oversight Committee of the Maine Legislature, (March 2022) https://legislature.maine.gov/doc/8493

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Recent News

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Observes the Anniversary of the Death or Logan Marr

By Bill Diamond | January 31, 2024

On January 31, 2001, five-year-old Logan Marr (b. October 14, 1995) died of suffocation after being duct-taped in her foster home. Foster parent Sally Ann Schofield would later be found guilty of manslaughter receiving a twenty-eight-year prison sentence with all, but twenty years suspended. She was released after seventeen years. The judge at the time […]

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes is concerned that DHHS has missed the opportunity to better protect the children in their care.

By Bill Diamond | January 18, 2024

WINDHAM, Maine — While Walk a Mile in Their Shoes hopes that outcomes will improve for abused and neglected children in Maine’s care and are concerned that appointing Ms. Johnson Permanent Director of the Office of Child and Family Services will fall short of creating the structural improvements necessary to protect Maine’s kids. “Very disappointed for […]

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Releases Report Entitled“Unsupported: Key Lessons for Improving Maine’s Child Welfare Systemby Supporting All Stakeholders”

By Bill Diamond | December 12, 2023

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Walk a Mile in Their Shoes released its report entitled “Unsupported: Key Lessons for Improving Maine’s Child Welfare System by Supporting All Stakeholders.” The report can be downloaded by visiting https://walkamilemaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/unsupported_wamits_report_121223.pdf Walk a Mile in Their Shoes founder Bill Diamond said, “This report is the result of 10 months of […]

Recent News

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Observes the Anniversary of the Death or Logan Marr

By Bill Diamond | January 31, 2024

On January 31, 2001, five-year-old Logan Marr (b. October 14, 1995) died of suffocation after being duct-taped in her foster home. Foster parent Sally Ann Schofield would later be found guilty of manslaughter receiving a twenty-eight-year prison sentence with all, but twenty years suspended. She was released after seventeen years. The judge at the time […]

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes is concerned that DHHS has missed the opportunity to better protect the children in their care.

By Bill Diamond | January 18, 2024

WINDHAM, Maine — While Walk a Mile in Their Shoes hopes that outcomes will improve for abused and neglected children in Maine’s care and are concerned that appointing Ms. Johnson Permanent Director of the Office of Child and Family Services will fall short of creating the structural improvements necessary to protect Maine’s kids. “Very disappointed for […]

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Releases Report Entitled“Unsupported: Key Lessons for Improving Maine’s Child Welfare Systemby Supporting All Stakeholders”

By Bill Diamond | December 12, 2023

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Walk a Mile in Their Shoes released its report entitled “Unsupported: Key Lessons for Improving Maine’s Child Welfare System by Supporting All Stakeholders.” The report can be downloaded by visiting https://walkamilemaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/unsupported_wamits_report_121223.pdf Walk a Mile in Their Shoes founder Bill Diamond said, “This report is the result of 10 months of […]

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