The Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (AAICPC) was established in 1974 and consists of members from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The AAICPC has authority under ICPC to "promulgate rules and regulations to carry out more effectively the terms and provisions of this compact." The AAICPC obtains its Secretariat Services, as an affiliate of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA).
For more information, please visit the AAICPC website.
American Public Human Services Association
1133 Nineteenth Street, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 682-0100
fax: (202) 289-6555
Web Manager: Carla Fults [cfults@aphsa.org]
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern · Phone: 207-624-7900 · Fax: 207-287-5282
Robert Blanchard
2 Anthony Avenue, SHS # 11
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Tel: 207-624-7900
Fax: 207-287-5282
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
*Please address all correspondence to DCA James Pelletier
Deputy Compact Administrator
James Pelletier
2 Anthony Avenue, SHS # 11
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Tel: 207-624-7900
Fax: 207-287-6156
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
*Please address all correspondence to DCA
Jaykumar (Jay) Patel
2 Anthony Avenue, SHS # 11
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Tel: (207)215-7389
Fax: 207-287-6156
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
no information provided
Administrative Assistant (M-Z)
Jaykumar (Jay) Patel
2 Anthony Avenue, SHS # 11
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Tel: (207)215-7389
Fax: 207-287-6156
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
no information provided
Maine Department of Health & Human Services
2 Anthony Avenue, SHS # 11
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Federal Express Address
Useful Telephone Numbers
Juvenile Compact Office
Maine Department of Corrections - Parole & Probation
Commissioner / Deputy Compact Administrator ICJ:
A. Roy Curtis (all ICJ correspondence)
Maine Department of Corrections
2 Franklin Street Suite 203 Belfast, Maine 04915
Direct Phone: 207-592-4946
Office Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Director of Juvenile Services / Compact Administrator:
Christine Thibeault
Maine Department of Corrections
10 Franklin St Bangor, Maine 04401
Direct Phone: (207)242-3302
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
no information provided
Co-Located Compacts - ICPC, ICAMA, ICJ
Independent/Private Adoptive Placements:
Maine permits private attorney, private agency and/or independent adoptions
| Adoption Type | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Private Agency | Yes |
| Private Attorney | Yes |
| Independent | Yes |
Adoption Statute-Non-Agency; Independent; Private Adoptions:
MRSA Title 22 Ch. 1671. Sub. Sec. 8204 2.
Public Adoptive Placements-Requirements
All potential public adoptive placements must comply with the DHHS adoptive/foster home licensing requirements.
INDEPENDENT / PRIVATE / PUBLIC
The following information applies to independent, private and public adoptions
Adoption assistance payments begins
Sending State Adoption Subsidy Payments (Guidelines)
Assistance may be provided for special needs only and may be varied based on the special needs of the child. Assistance may be provided for a period of time based on the special needs of the child. The amount of adoption assistance may vary depending upon the resources of the adoptive parents and the special needs of the child, as well as the availability of other resources, but may not exceed the total cost of caring for the child if the child were to remain in the care or custody of the department, without regard to the source of the funds.
The duration of assistance may continue until the cessation of legal parental responsibility or until the parents are no longer supporting the child, at which time the adoption assistance ceases. However, if the child has need of educational benefits or has a physical, mental or emotional handicap, adoption assistance may continue until the adoptee has attained 21 years of age if the adoptee, the parents and the department agree that the need for care and support exists.
If the assistance continues for more than one year, the need for assisance must be annually redetermined. Adoption assistance contnues regardless of the state in which the adoptive parents reside, or the state to which the adoptive parents move, as long as the familiy continues to be eligible based on the annual redetermination of need.
Children who are in the custody of another person or agency in another state who are brought to this State for the purpose of adoption are not eligible for adoption assistance through Maine's Adoption Assistance Program except for reimbursement of nonrecurring expenses if the child meets the requirements of the United States Social Security Act, 42 Unites States Code, Section 673 (c).
Maine definition of "Special Needs"
A special needs child is one that has one or more of the following characteristics:
a. Medical condition that makes placement difficult
b. Member of a sibling group to be placed together that includes at least one member who has a physical, mental, emotional handicap that makes placement difficult
c. Difficult to place and who meets one or more of criteria’s a, b, d, e or f
d. Age 5 or older
e. Difficult to place because of race
f. Victim of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or neglect that places the child at risk for future emotional difficulties; or
g. Factor in the child’s background such as severe mental illness, substance abuse, prostitution, genetic or medical conditions or illnesses that place the child at risk of future problems. For the purposes of this definition "at risk" is meant to have some significance in a statistical or medical sense, i.e. some probability of occurrence that is not merely speculative or statistically insignificant.
Adoption may be finalized in another state:
Before finalization can occur in Maine, child must be in adoptive placement:
The time frame may be less when a significant pre-existing relationship exists between the child and relative.
Statutory code/cite for Adoption Petition
MRSA Title 18A Art,IX PT 1. 10 Sub. Sec. 9-303
Court Jurisdiction for Adoption Cases
Maine Probate Courts
Home Study (Adoptions)
Statutory code/cite for the Adoptive Home Studies:
MRSA Title 18A Art,IX PT 3. 10 Sub. Sec. 9-304
Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study
Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study
State's age of majority
Statutory code/cite and the age of majority:
Services (after Age of Majority)
As the Receiving State, the following services will be provided/continued at the age of majority:
Border Agreements permitted:
Current Border Agreements with:
Home Studies which Require Criminal / Perpetrator Record Checks
Maine requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
Expedited (Reg7) Relative Placements
Criminal Background Screening
The following methods are used to capture fingerprints to conduct criminal records checks/and abuse and neglect.
Criminal background checks/screening via Live Scan or other computerized technology are offered at the following levels:
State or Local Criminal Record Checks Requirements/Process:
Applicants sign releases for Department to conduct Child/adult abuse checks, sex offender cks, State criminal cks, and Motor vehicl records cks.
Applicant will not be approved if the person has committed any of the following misdemeanor or felony offenses:
Misdemeanor offenses are not necessarily diqualifers. Any Felony conviction for child abuse/neglect, spousal abuse, crime against a child(ren), inc. pornography, or crime of violence including rape, sexual assault or homicide. Any Felony conviction within the past five (5) years involving: physical assault, battery or a drug related offense.
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Maine requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | y |
| Relative | y | y | y | |
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y |
| Parent | y | y | y |
Wait Time for Criminal Records Results
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Verification of Criminal Records Results
Maine Specific Definitions
If the following terms are defined differently than below (General Definitions), please provide definitions for the following types of placements as defined within your state. If definitions in your state are the same, please type the word same in the space provided. (only 250 characters per answer will be accepted).
Adoption
Same
Foster-Adopt -
Families that are interested in providing foster care with the intent to adopt if the child becomes free for adoption
Foster Care-
A children's home that is a private dwelling, where substitute parental care is provided within a family on a regular, 24-hour a day, residential basis to children under 18 years of age.
Parent
Same
Relative
Relatives mean mother , father, child, brother, sister, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, first cousins, and any of the foregoing by adoption. This includes relatives by marriage such as step-child, step--brother, sister, mother, father, and step-grandparents.
Relative Foster Care
Same
Maine charges for public education:
Maine charges the sending state for specialized services (occupational, speech therapy)
Maine charges the Sending State to obtain assessments/diagnostics and/or services for education purposes:
Maine permits a child in the legal custody of a Sending State to apply for and receive the following state administered assistance/benefits in Maine as the Receiving State.
As the Sending state, following are considered as a viable financial/medical plan when making interstate placements:
As the Receiving state, following are considered a viable financial/medical plan when receiving interstate placements:
MEDICAID / MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
The state will ensure medical coverage benefits and services can be received through benefits, programs and providers in the Receiving State before placing a child across state lines.
The receiving state is responsible for the Medicaid benefits of children eligible under Title IV-E. Otherwise, the responsibility is with the sending state (see Foster Care Payments).
WAITING PERIOD FOR MEDICAID BENEFITS
Waiting period to apply for benefit assistance:
Waiting period to receive benefits for a child who is under the legal custody/legal jurisdiction of the sending state:
STATE MEDICAL INSURANCE/COVERAGE
As the Sending State, Maine will provide medical coverage if the child is NOT IV-E eligible
As the Sending State, Maine will permit Placement Resources to apply for medical benefits in the Receiving State or use their personal insurance.
Adoption assistance payments begin:
Foster Care Payments
Special Education Payments
Would need to facilitate possible agreement between placement and guardian of child.
no information provided
Medicaid - The receiving state is responsible for the Medicaid benefits of children eligible under Title IV-E. Otherwise, the responsibility is with the sending state (see Foster Care Payments).
Title IV-E documentation/verification required
RATES (Foster Care)
Foster care rate paid at:
Maine foster care rates:
| Service Level of Care | Amount per day |
|---|---|
| LOC A - Basic Care - Minimal Needs. This level is for children who have minimal needs and require the type of care offered in a family resource home for children. "Children with minimal needs" may have occasional episodes of behavioral and/or emotional problems which do not significantly impair the child’s interpersonal relationships and ability to function at home or at school. "Children with minimal needs" are expected to function largely at an age appropriate level educationally, socially, physically, medically, developmentally, and emotionally. | $26.25 per day |
| LOC B - Basic Care - Mild Needs. This level is for children who have mild needs that require a higher than LOC A-Basic Care level of services in a family resource home. "Children with mild needs" may display the following: minor developmental delays, episodic problems relating with others, infrequent concerns/problems regarding performance in school, limited or short-term mental health treatment needs, and stable/routine medical needs. | $36.75 per day |
| LOC C -Treatment Care - Moderate Needs. This level is for children who have moderate needs and require the type of care offered in a specialized children’s resource home. "Children with moderate needs" may display the following: moderate developmental delays, ongoing problems with interpersonal relationships including a history of self-abusive behaviors, and minor episodes of aggression toward others. They may also have ongoing needs for mental health treatment, monitoring of school problems and/or special education needs and/or medical supports. | $45.00 per day |
| LOC D - Treatment Care - High Needs. This level is for children who have high needs that require a higher than LOC C – Treatment Care level of services in a specialized resource home. "Children with high needs" may display the following: significant developmental delays, impulsivity requiring external control, ongoing conflict with others, unresponsiveness to social prompts, need for special education services to address performance and/or behavior issues, slow or no progress in mental health treatment, and may require in-home supports for medical conditions. They may have a history of self-abusive behaviors, including assaults to others. | $60.00 per day |
| LOC E - Treatment Care - Severe Needs. This level is for children who have severe needs that require a higher than LOC D – Treatment Care level of services in a specialized resource home. "Children with severe needs" may display the following: severe developmental delays, a risk to self or others including deliberate aggression toward others, inability to maintain control in spite of close supervision, chronic/serious medical condition, and poor/no response to mental health treatment. | $75.00 per day |
| LOC M - Basic Care - Exceptional Medical Care. This level is for medically fragile children in Basic Care with a high level of physical medical need that does or could lead to care in an "intermediate care nursing facility". It is likely that these issues will not moderate and may become more severe over time and require specialized care to support activities of daily living. It must be shown that the resource parent has obtained the training necessary to meet the medical care needs of the child and is directly providing that level of care. Examples of children who meet this criteria include, but are not limited to, children that: require a feeding tube, congenital heart disease/abnormalities requiring surgery and monitoring, weekly to monthly hospital/specialist monitoring, kidney dialysis, severe forms of cancer, and/or severe failure to thrive with long range effects. | $70.00 per day |
REQUIREMENTS (Foster Care)
Foster Care Resource Requirements:
Min. age 21,need to be a resident, and meet FC licensing requirements.
Training (Education and Training)
Types of Home Studies
Maine conducts the following types of home studies:
Maine designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.
Maine considers a home study as current/valid for:
Private Contract Services - Home Study
As the Sending State, Maine will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study
As the Receiving State, Maine will permit a Sending state to pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study.
As the Receiving State, Maine will accept/update a home study that was not originally conducted by the receiving state or a private contractor acting on behalf of the Receiving State.
Adoptive Home Studies
Home study for adoption conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study
DCPS contracts for Purchase of Services with private agencies in other states:
Foster Care Home Study
Home study for foster care conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
Parent Home Study
If child has been removed from the parent, Maine requires a home study evaluation before reunification.
Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:
the child is not in the custody/jurisdiction of the sending state.
Proof of Paternity is required:
Relative/Kinship Home Study
Home study for relatives conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
Relatives, mean mother , father, child, brother, sister, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, first cousins, and any of the foregoing by adoption. This includes relatives by marriage such as step-child, step--brother, sister, mother, father, and step-grandparents.
Relatives must be licensed:
Proof of Paternity is required:
Maine considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.)
Relatives, mean mother , father, child, brother, sister, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, first cousins, and any of the foregoing by adoption. This includes relatives by marriage such as step-child, step--brother, sister, mother, father, and step-grandparents.
Regulation 7 Priority Placement
Maine performs priority placements:
A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Public
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Private
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
Maine determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
no information provided
Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study
| Regular Mail | Express Mail | Overnight Mail | Electronic Mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send request for a home study to Receiving State | y | y | y | |
| Send home study request to Local office | y | y | y | y |
| Send home study report to Sending State | y | y | y |
Criminal Record Checks
Maine requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
Expedited (Reg7) Relative Placements
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Maine requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | y |
| Relative | y | y | y | |
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y |
| Parent | y | y | y |
Wait Time for Criminal Records Results
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Maine conducts the following types of home studies:
ICPC Placement Checklists
| Adoption | Foster | Foster-Adopt | Parent | Relative | Residential | Electronic Transmission Accepted * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICPC 100A (Placement Request) | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| ICPC – 100 B (if child is in the Receiving State) | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| Home Study Report | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| Court Order | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| Medical Documentation/History | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| Criminal Background Check/Verification | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| Education and Training Verification | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| Financial/ Medical Plan to support placement | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| Social History/ Case Plan | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| Medical plan to support placement | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| Title IV-E Status | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| Supervisory/ Progress Reports | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
| ICPC 100A (Placement Request) | y | y | y | y | y | y | S,R,L |
Date of Receipt - Home Study
Maine determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
no information provided
Maine designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.
Private Contract Services - Home Study
As the Sending State, Maine will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study
Criminal Records Checks
Maine requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
Expedited (Reg7) Relative Placements
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Maine requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | y |
| Relative | y | y | y | |
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | y |
| Adoption | y | y | y | y |
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | y |
| Parent | y | y | y |
Mailing Process - Interstate Home Study
Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study
| Regular Mail | Express Mail | Overnight Mail | Electronic Mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send request for a home study to Receiving State | y | y | y | |
| Send home study request to Local office | y | y | y | y |
| Send home study report to Sending State | y | y | y |
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Public
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)
Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
Maine offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
Wait Time for ICPC Decision
| Foster Care | Relative | Relative - Foster Care | Parent | Foster - Adopt | Adoption (Public) | Adoption (Private) | Adoption (Independent) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 months | 1-2 months | 1-2 months | 1-2 months | 1-2 months | 1-2 months | 1- 30 days | 1- 30 days |
Maine collects, tracks and reports interstate data via:
Maine collects, tracks and reports interstate home studies via
Dual Licensing state:
Maine uses the following terms to authorize a resource family for foster care and (or) adoption after completion of education and training in state:
Maine requires the following types of placement resources to be licensed/approved/certified:
Maine resource training program is as follows:
Maine will give full or partial credit for foster care and adoption education and training completed in another state:
Title IV-E documentation/verification required
a. Arrests, indictments, and/or convictions for sexual or violent crimes involving adults or activities which could have resulted in convictions for such crimes if prosecuted;
b. Arrests, indictments, and/orconvictions involving children or activities which could have resulted in convictions for such crimes if prosecuted;
c. Arrests, indictments, and/or convictions for operating under the influence or for any other activity which involves substance abuse;
d. Admission to a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility and involvement in mental health or substance abuse counseling;
e. Any serious physical problems that have required admission to a hospital or other in-patient facility;
f. Whether or not Child Protective Services or the Out-of-Home Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit has ever investigated the family situation for allegations of child abuse or neglect either when the person was a child or since he or she has become an adult;
g. Any suspensions, revocations, conditions, fines or denials of or against any license or certificate that is or has been held by the applicant.
h. Whether or not there was any investigation while licensed, registered, certified, or approved to provide child/adult care;
i. The removal of children from their care or custody;
j. Any denial of approval to adopt;
k. Any other information regarding their circumstances or treatment of children which is relevant to the Department's decision to issue a license. If such information as described above exists, the family foster home applicant or licensee shall furnish the Department with written releases permitting the Department to obtain any other information regarding the above from appropriate officials or persons to determine whether there is a threat to the health, safety and welfare of children. In deciding what action to take regarding a license under the foregoing circumstances, the Department shall determine if sufficient evidence has been presented by the applicant or licensee to indicate that the problems which resulted in any of the above have been adequately resolved so that the applicant or licensee is in compliance with 9 (A) (3) of these rules and with any other applicable rules.
(7) The Department shall not grant a license to person(s) convicted of a felony involving: child abuse or neglect, spousal abuse, a crime against a child or children (including child pornography) or a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault or homicide.