Senator Debra Plowman Appointed to the Maine Justice for Children Task Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2007

AUGUSTA – Senator Debra Plowman (R-Hampden) has been appointed to the Maine Justice for Children Task Force. Sen. Plowman’s appointment, announced during Chief Justice Leigh Saufley’s State of the Judiciary address before the full Maine Legislature, brings the number of members on the task force to 20.

The purpose of the Maine Justice for Children Task Force is to improve the safety, permanency and well-being for children in the State of Maine child welfare system. Responsibilities of the Task Force include: identifying the strengths which contribute to the well-being of children in the State of Maine child welfare system; identifying the barriers impacting that well-being; adopting a training curriculum for stakeholders in child protective proceedings; and providing input and feedback regarding state-wide performance standards for the timely resolution of matters involving children and families in the child welfare system.

Sen. Plowman’s appointment to the Task Force runs through October 2010. As a member, she will be involved with the creation and issuing of a report each year to be presented to the Supreme Judicial Court.

Sen. Plowman was pleased with her appointment to the Maine Justice for Children Task Force. “I am honored to have been invited to join this Task Force,” she said. “The typical approach over the years has been disjointed and piecemeal. While I am a new member of the Task Force, after only one meeting with the committee members I can see great promise for the children of Maine.”

Sen. Plowman represents District 33, which includes Carmel, Charleston, Corinna, Corinth, Dexter, Dixmont, Etna, Exeter, Garland, Glenburn, Hampden, Kenduskeag, Levant, Newburgh, Newport, Plymouth and Stetson. She can be reached in Hampden at 862-6011, in Augusta at 287-1505 or by e-mail at debraplowman@cs.com.

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