Advocates press for capital funding for first in‑state youth psychiatric residential facility and a CRCF stabilization fund

Providers told the joint committees that Maine lacks in‑state capacity for youth with acute psychiatric needs, forcing many children into out‑of‑state placements or long stays in emergency departments. Justin Chenette, Sweetser's chief communications officer, and John McAnuff, Sweetser's CFO, described a planned 16‑bed PRTF that would reduce out‑of‑state placement and keep families together. They said $2 million had already been appropriated and Sweetser has committed $2.5 million; the supplemental budget request would fill roughly a $3.4 million capital gap to complete the project.

Chenette said the facility is intended as a therapeutic, safety‑focused environment with 24/7 psychiatric coverage and family supports, including a free family apartment for visiting relatives. "This supplemental budget appropriation gets this project across the finish line," he said. Sweetser and other providers emphasized the high fixed costs of PRTF construction — safety fixtures, HVAC, generator backup, and specialized security — and explained that reuse of an existing building helps contain costs.

At the same time, multiple speakers warned that children's residential care providers (CRCFs) are on the brink: Sweetser staff said they had closed beds because of staffing shortages and operating losses and asked for a $1 million emergency stabilization fund to keep remaining units open while rate work proceeds. Advocates urged short‑term stabilization paired with longer‑term rate reforms to reflect actual operating costs and staff turnover.

Committee requests: lawmakers asked for details on bed counts, staffing plans, the number of youth currently placed out of state and per‑child cost comparisons (out‑of‑state vs. in‑state care), and the legal and contractual protections connected to state capital funding. DHHS and Sweetser agreed to provide additional materials at the work session.