Child and Family Services Policy > Section IV - Child Protection Services > IV. D-5. Mandatory Referrals to Child Development Services

Legal Base: Section 106 (2) (A) (xxi) [p.l. 108-36] directs each state to have:

"provisions and procedures for referral of a child under the age of 3 who is involved in a substantiated case of child abuse or neglect to early intervention services funded under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act."

In Maine this means that the Bureau of Child and Family Services will refer cases to Child Development Services.

Purpose: This policy sets forth the guidance that provides for this Bureau to carry out its legal mandate as it is described above. This policy outlines the referral process to be used for all children under the age of 3 who are involved in a substantiated case of child abuse and neglect. If a child is a member of the household, the child is involved.

The Federal statute and this policy was created to assure that all children under the age of 3 have the opportunity to:

�	be screened by Child Developmental Services to determine if they and their families may be eligible for special services;

�	be connected to specialized services if required.

This mandate came in recognition that children who are abused and neglected are at greater risk of:

�	developmental delays

�	more behavior problems

�	negative impact on cognitive abilities

Therefore, the goal is to assure these children be screened to determine if early intervention services are required. Some services available for children who are eligible are:

�	physical, occupational and speech therapies,

�	psychological testing,

�	adaptive technology devices,

�	transportation.

Procedures

At the completion (supervisory approval) of the Safety Assessment, the caseworker will inform the parent(s) that a referral to Child Developmental Services will be made. The caseworker will inform the parent(s) of the potential benefits to their child of such a referral. The caseworker will give the parent(s) a copy of the informational brochure from CDS that explains the program to them.

At the same time as the substantiation notification letter is generated, a referral form to Child Developmental Services will also be generated regarding children in the home under the age of 3. This form is to be mailed to the appropriate Child Developmental Services office immediately (see appendix I for a list of CDS offices and Appendix II for a copy of the form).

Issue of Consent

Caseworkers must make a referral to CDS whether or not a parent gives consent to that referral. The law allows the caseworker to supply CDS with the child’s name, birth date and contact information for the parents, guardian or other caretaker. Upon receipt of the referral, CDS is governed by its own laws and regulations concerning providing services to children without parental consent. When children have come into the Department’s custody, we of course will consent to the referral.

Counties Covered by the Pediatric Rapid Evaluation Program (PREP)

When a child has been screened/evaluated by the PREP, the caseworker does not have to make an immediate referral to CDS. PREP will be responsible for recommending to the caseworker that a referral be made to CDS when PREP’s screening has determined there is a need for a full evaluation of the child.

APPENDIX I

CHILD DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

CDS/ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY

377 Main Street

Lewiston, ME 04240

(207) 795-4022

(207) 795-4082 – Fax

CDS/AROOSTOOK COUNTY

122 Academy Street

Presque Isle, ME 04769

(207) 764-4490

(207) 769-2275 – Fax

CDS/CUMBERLAND COUNTY

50 Depot Road

Falmouth, ME 04105

(207) 781-8881

(207) 781-8855 – Fax

CDS/FRANKLIN COUNTY

144 High Street, Suite 2

Farmington, ME 04938

(207) 778-6262

(207) 778-5548 – Fax

CDS/ HANCOCK COUNTY

190 Bangor Road, Suite A

Ellsworth, ME 04605

(207) 667-7108

(207) 664-0461 – Fax

CDS/ KNOX COUNTY

111 Tillson Avenue

Rockland, ME 04841

(207) 594-5933

(207) 594-1925 – Fax

CDS/LINCOLN COUNTY

PO Box 1114

Damariscotta, ME 04543

(207) 563-1411

(207) 563-6312 – Fax

CDS/OXFORD COUNTY

PO Box 272, Paris Street

Norway, ME 04268

(207) 743-9701

(207) 743-7063 – Fax

CDS/PENOBSCOT COUNTY

In Town Plaza, 376 Harlow Street

Bangor, ME 04401

(207) 947-8493

(207) 990-4819 – Fax

CDS/PISCATAQUIS COUNTY

PO Box 326

Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426

(207) 564-3115

(207) 564-0019 – Fax

CDS/PROJECT PEDS

163 Silver Street

Waterville, ME 04901

(207) 877-2498

(207) 877-7459 – Fax

CDS/SEARCH

35A Gurnet Road

Brunswick, ME 04901

(207) 725-6365

(207) 725-4211 – Fax

CDS/SOUTHERN KENNEBEC

263 Water Street, Suite 500

Augusta, ME 04330

(207) 623-4989

(207) 622-9798 – Fax

CDS/WALDO COUNTY

139 Northport Avenue

Belfast, ME 04915

(207) 338-1177

(207) 338-9978 – Fax

CDS/WASHINGTON COUNTY

PO Box 718, 9 Cooper Street

Machias, ME 04654

(207) 255-4892

(207) 255-6457 – Fax

CDS/YORK COUNTY

39 Limerick Road, Unit 2

Arundel, ME 04046

(207) 985-7861

(207) 985-6703 – Fax

APPENDIX II

TO: Child Developmental Services

FROM: Child Welfare District ________

RE: Referral

Child’s Name:

Date of Birth:

Parent or other legal guardian’s name(s):

Address:

Telephone:

Custody of DHHS: yes no

Parental Consent: yes no

Caseworker:

Telephone: