The article, “Pair embroiled in custody nightmare” (BDN, Oct. 2-3), was infuriating. Those grandparents contacted me, as an organizer of Maine Alliance for DHS Accountability and Reform (MADAR), and all I could offer them was the weak reassurance that they are not alone. Maine is full of grandparents having their hearts and their bank accounts broken by DHHS.

DHHS spokespersons like to cite the improved statistics on kinship placement as proof that they are all fixed up now, that the public doesn’t have to be concerned any more. While those numbers are better, they don’t represent a climb to the mountaintop. No, they are barely out of the pit dug for them by the previous administration, Kevin Concannon. They are just up to the rim where they can start to see the mountaintop.

That is what we learn from the plight of the Thibeault family.

Mary Callahan

MADAR

Lisbon