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 the children.” said Bill Diamond, Walk a Mile in Their Shoes founder. “This was an opportunity to make a meaningful change in direction and leadership and show a willingness to challenge themselves—instead they chose to keep their heads down and keep moving in same direction and leadership.”
Ms. Johnson has been the associate director since 2015.
“Nothing has changed – the one continuum during the past several years of the system failing children in state care has been the very person they’re promoting. She’s been their longer than Landry, longer than Commissioner Lembrew, longer than the Governor.” said Diamond.
Walk a Mile in Their Shoes is concerned that the Department of Health and Human Services is deflecting scrutiny by adopting the same language that is being used by people and organizations critical of the Office of Child and Family Services. Using words like “restructuring” and “frontline workers” along with making internal adjustments will not fix the problems that exist.
Diamond went on to say, “The worst years of children dying in record numbers and continual failure to protect children happened during the past five years when Ms. Johnson was sitting beside the former OCFS director making unsafe decisions for children.”
Walk a Mile in Their Shoes wishes success for improving outcomes of children in Maine’s care.