Aroostook Band of Micmacs: 1-800-355-1435 or 764-1972
Houlton Band of Maliseets: 532-7260; 532-6393
Penobscot Indian Nation: 817-7492
Passamaquoddy Tribe (Indian Township): 796-5079
Passamaquoddy Tribe (Pleasant Point): 853-2600
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):
To report child abuse or neglect, call 1-800-452-1999
Deaf/Hard of Hearing: TTY: 1-800-963-9490
This Maine Child and Family Services line is staffed 24-hours
a day, 7-days a week.
Note: DHHS has prepared a
Handbook for Parents
involved with the State in child protective proceedings and investigations.
For support provided to children who are exposed to violence or trauma
in Washington and Hancock Counties, contact:
Rapid Response at 1-800-781-8550.
The court will appoint an attorney for each parent whose children are removed
from the parents' home by DHHS after the parent completes a financial affidavit
with the financial screener for the courts. (The parent must be income eligible.)
The court will also appoint a guardian ad litem for the child so that the
GAL can make recommendations to the court as to what is in the child's best
interest.
In some cases DHHS will substantiate a parent or caregiver of abuse or neglect
without removing the child from the home. The parent may challenge this substantiation
finding.
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
will apply to all proceedings involving Native American
children.
More information from Pine Tree Legal Assistance:
Child
Abuse and Neglect "Substantiation" in Maine (also
available as a pdf pamphlet)
Protective
Custody Proceedings: What Can I do if the State is Threatening to Take My Kids?
(also available as a pdf pamphlet)
