AUGUSTA, Maine — The Department of Justice is accusing the state of Maine of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act in a lawsuit the agency filed Monday in federal court.
"Maine fails to provide children access to community-based behavior health services," the lawsuit read. "As a result, hundreds of children are segregated in institutions because they cannot access the community-based services they are entitled to."
Just days after the suit was filed, Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, called on Gov. Janet Mills, also a Democrat, to personally get involved in finding a solution for the lack of services the Maine Department of Health and Human Services is providing to children with disabilities.
"In situations like this, [Mills] is going to have to dig deep—talk to the middle management and not just the top management," Baldacci told NEWS CENTER Maine. "We need to find constructive solutions as soon as possible, and it really has to happen at the executive level."
Ben Goodman, a spokesperson for Mills, issued a statement on the governor's behalf.
"The Governor has been actively engaged," it read. "She has been briefed throughout the state’s negotiations with the U.S. Department of Justice, and she will remain involved in any ongoing discussions with the litigation."
Maine DHHS also said Mills and the legislature took steps in the last budget to address related concerns previously outlined by the DOJ.
"The State of Maine agrees that these services are critical, and, as we defend ourselves vigorously during the lawsuit, we expect to remain in discussions with the U.S. DOJ," Maine DHHS spokesperson Lindsay Hammes said. "Fundamentally, the State wants to continue to address this problem and strengthen the delivery of services for children with behavioral health disabilities."
As for a solution, Baldacci said he thinks DHHS needs to pay higher wages to workers to attract more people and in turn, there will be more providers to help children.
"These are challenging jobs, and a lot more needs to be done in terms of wages in order to keep people and to attract people," the senator added.
NEWS CENTER Maine reached out to Maine Senate and House Republicans for comment on the lawsuit but did not hear back by evening shows.