Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption

You might be a great foster and/or adoptive parent if:

• You are at least 21-years-old.
• Your physical and mental health will allow you to care for a child (or children).
• You are able to exercise good judgment in meeting the needs of a child (or children).
• You can provide three references from people who are not related to you.
• You can complete fingerprinting to allow the Department of Health and Human Services to submit required fingerprint-based checks to national crime information databases.
• You can complete a criminal history background check.
• You can complete home visits in which a social worker will meet with you to get to know you/your family.
• The place where you live can pass a satisfactory inspection for fire safety and fire protection.
• The water in your home can meet state standards.
• The place where you live has a telephone.
• The place where you live has a telephone.

Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?

Adoptive and/or foster parents will have to pay for the cost of the fingerprinting and whatever their doctor or health plan charges for a medical exam.

If a family adopts a child from foster care in another state, there may be additional fees. Please call us for more information.

Parent Support Groups

Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine

1-800-833-9786

affme@aol.com

Training and support for families in all phases of the foster care and adoption process.

A Family For ME

1-877-505-0545

affme@aol.com

Information, a lending library and support for families interested in becoming either foster or adoptive families.

Families and Children Together

Barbara Cates, Director

Maine Kids-Kin

(207) 941-2347

Support groups and lending library for kinship families.

More information on family support groups in Maine.

Agency Contact and Orientation Information

The State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services is divided into eight districts. Maine DHHS can complete your homestudy. There are private and nonprofit agencies available, too. Read detailed information on finding an agency. Then, please ask your agency when they are next offering an orientation. Orientations are scheduled as needed based on the number of requests from individuals. Individual orientation is available in most districts.

Information on Children

There are about 2,189 children in Maine Department of Health and Human Services custody at this time. Of those children, there are 152 children with the goal of adoption who are awaiting adoptive families. The majority of children are between the ages of eleven and eighteen.