For nearly 200 years, Sweetser has been a committed advocate seeking to enhance the safety, health and productivity of children, adults and families. To that end, the agency has an extensive public policy program focusing on lending a voice on behalf of some of Maine’s most vulnerable citizens.

Each year, the Public Policy Committee of Sweetser’s Board of Directors selects key areas on which to focus at the Maine State Legislature and beyond. Sweetser perennially urges lawmakers to:

• Ensure quality, timely residential care for children in need.
• Support access to safe and affordable housing for at-risk individuals and families within their community of choice.
• Provide adequate funding for medication management therapy for individuals who use both MaineCare (Medicaid) and Medicare.
• Recognize and champion the strength of the community mental health system in Maine as a practical alternative to more costly categories of care (e.g., emergency rooms, inpatient care and jails).

Contact Us

For more information about Sweetser’s advocacy efforts, please contact Cindy Fagan, Vice President for Community-based Services at cfagan@sweetser.org or 207-294-4451.