Wabanaki Resource Code Card

Child Abuse and Trauma

Services:

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.

Advocacy:

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)