About Us

THE CHILD ABUSE ACTION NETWORK IS The entity designated by the Governor to receive Children's Justice Act funding.  It has functioned cooperatively with the Department of Health and Human Services and with the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service since 1989.  The Network's Mission is to establish policy and programs designated to improve:

• the handling of child abuse and neglect cases in a manner that limits trauma to children

• the handling of suspected child abuse or neglect-related fatalities; and

• the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect cases.

To that end, and pursuant to its by-laws, the Network has established a Steering Committee and several standing committees.  The standing committees address training; coordination and systems issues; quality assurance and professional standards; and protocols.  The Network is broad-based and multidisciplinary, and includes but is not limited to individuals from the categories outlined in the Children's Justice Act.

The Child Abuse Action Network is unique in that it focuses primarily on addressing the needs of professionals working in various disciplines.  By undertaking a host of activities in past years, the network has enhanced the knowledge, skills and collaboration of professionals in Maine who intervene in child abuse and neglect cases, as a specific approach to meeting grant requirements.  The Network has been very effective in creating an improved system for child protection in Maine, utilizing its multidisciplinary approach.