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INFORMATION FOR MAINE
CHILD PROTECTION AND FOSTER CARE
Everyone is responsible to see that children are not abused, neglected or abandoned. Are you worried that a child might be harmed? Are you worried about a child who is in the custody of the Department of Human Services (DHHS)? Many relatives find they can work closely with the DHHS to provide care and safety for a child. If you can help, it is important that you get actively involved as early as possible. Let people involved with the child know that you are there to help.
What
do I do if I think the child has been abused or neglected by someone in
the family?
If you
can not keep the child safe, contact the Department of Human Services
at the statewide child abuse report number 1-800-452-1999 or ask for a
child protective worker at one of the offices listed below. Talk
with the child protective worker about
developing a safe situation for the child.
If you think you can intervene and keep the child safe, share your concerns with the child's parents. Consider ways that you can help. You may be able to care for the child while the parents get a break or resolve some problems. You may be able to assist the parents in accessing other needed resources.
Sometimes a family is able to protect a child within the family.
If you do call the DHHS and your call meets the criteria for response, the DHHS will investigate. Usually, the DHS doesn't take the child out of the family. If the investigation results in concern that the child is in danger, the DHS will take the child into custody if the court determines this is necessary for the child's safety.
What
can I do if I am worried that DHHS may take the child into custody and
I want to care for the child?
You can
work with the child's parents to develop a way to keep the child safe
from harm. You may talk with the child's parents about giving
you guardianship of the child. If the parents are willing, have them contact
the DHHS to see if this will meet the safety concerns. You can have
specific safety agreements written into the guardianship agreement.
You can request that the DHHS place the child with you should the child go into the DHHS custody. Call the caseworker and let him or her know you are available. Find out as much as you can from the caseworker about what will need to be done to keep the child safe. The caseworker will want assurance that you can keep the child safe and that you will work within the DHHS plans for the child.
Can I become the child's foster parent?
Yes, if you and your home meet the qualifications and the DHHS staff believe it is in the child's best interest to place the child with you. If you are the foster parent, then DHHS is still the legal guardian. This means the DHS will make major decisions for the child. Then DHHS continues the role of monitoring parental contact, and helps the child and family get other services as well. The child's situation will be reviewed in court.
Can DHHS place children in your home if you do not have a foster care license?
Yes, if DHHS determines that you and your home meet the DHHS safety standards and that it is in the best child's best interest to be placed with you. DHHS may require a safety plan for the child. They will check your home prior to placing the child with you.
Can DHHS provide a reimbursement to an unlicensed home?
Yes, DHHS can provide a minimal reimbursement for the child called a board rate. A clothing and/or diaper allowance for the child can also be provided. Contact the child's DHHS worker for more information.
Should I try to get a foster home license?
A foster home license will make you eligible for an increased daily board rate and certify that you meet health and safety regulations. The application process involves a home study and may require home improvements.
Who else can help me find my way through the DHHS system?
If you want to become a licensed foster parent or adopt a child through DHHS, there are two good resources. Contact DHHS directly or contact Adpotive and Foster Families of Maine (AFFM). AFFM staff will tell you what to expect and how the process works. You can reach them at (207) 827-2331 or 1-800-833-9786, or www.affm.net.
If
the child is already in custody of the state, how do I get to see the
child?
Call
your local DHS office and ask for Child and Family Services. Ask
to speak to the child's caseworker. It may be that the child's caseworker
is with a different office, but the local office should be able to give
you that information. Ask the caseworker for the opportunity
to see the child.
What
if the child is in state custody and I want custody instead?
Custody
decisions are made by the court. At the court proceeding, there
are parties to the child's case. These parties have legal standing
regarding decisions for the child. Parties to the court proceeding
are the people who have a voice in what happens to the child. Typically,
the parties to a case include the parents (represented by their lawyers),
the DHS (represented by an Assistant Attorney General) and the guardian-ad-litem
whose job is to represent the child's best interest.
If you want first-hand information on what is taking place in court or if you want your opinion to be heard in court, you may want to petition (ask) the court for status. There are three types of court status. An interested person may only attend court proceedings. A participant has the right to attend court and be heard in court. An intervenor has the rights of a party to the case including the rights to present evidence and witnessses, cross exmaine witnesses and have access to records.
You petition for status by petitioning the judge. The petition is a letter that must contain specific information about the case. It is possible to petition for status without a lawyer. Most people who want intervenor status will want to be represented by an attorney. (See the section on Legal Relationships: Legal Assistance)
Where can I get more information about the child protective and court system?
Contact Family Connections and/or talk to the child's
caseworker. Call Family Connections at 1-866-298-0896 and ask to speak with Jan Bisbee or Nancy Robinson, our Family Service Advocates, or email info@mainekids-kin.org. The staff at Maine Kids-Kin also has information about legal assistance.
DHHS Offices:
| Augusta 1-800-452-1926 | Machias 1-800-432-7846 or 255-2000 |
|
Bangor 1-800-432-7825 or |
Portland 1-800-482-7520 or 822-2000 |
| Dover-Foxcroft 1-800-432-1641 or 564-3444 | Rockland 1-800-432-7802 or 596-4200 |
| Ellsworth 1-800-432-7823 or 667-1600 | Skowhegan 1-800-452-4602 or 474-4850 |
| Lewiston 1-800-482-7517 or 795-4620 |