Maines director of Child Development Services retires after no-confidence vote [Video]

The director of a state agency that has been criticized for failing to meet its legal obligations to provide disability services to Maine’s youngest children has retired.

Child Development Services Director Roberta Lucas’ retirement went into effect Monday, according to an email the department sent to employees on Tuesday.

Her departure follows a vote in November in which nearly all of CDS’ unionized employees said that they had no confidence in Lucas. They said her leadership contributed to a toxic work environment, staff turnover and a general failure of the agency to appropriately provide Maine children who have disabilities with the services they need and are legally entitled to.

CDS is a state agency under the Maine Department of Education. It is charged with providing special education services to Maine children before they reach the K-12 school system. But for years, the agency hasn’t been fulfilling its responsibilities, breaking federal law and failing to provide young children with …