Martha Proulx

Martha Proulx, Policy Associate II, began working for the Catherine Cutler Institute in 2023 in the Child, Youth, and Families program area.  Martha’s work at the Catherine Cutler Institute focuses on child welfare. She brings expertise in the areas of child welfare policy, workforce development, resource family training, Indian child welfare, and family engagement.  

Martha comes to the Catherine Cutler Institute after working 38 years in child welfare at the State of Maine, Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS).  Martha worked in many roles during her career at OCFS including caseworker; developed and was the Regional Coordinator for the state’s therapeutic foster care program, Maine Caring Families; Permanency and Foster Care Licensing Program Specialist, Program Administrator, District Operations Manager, and Policy Coordinator. Martha also served for 18 years in the role of the child welfare tribal liaison for the federally recognized tribes.  Martha was involved in the development of the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is a founding member of Wabanaki REACH.

Martha has also served as the President of the National Association of State Foster Care Managers and has been on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Kennebec County, the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, and her local school board.