This notice is to refine the information provided in the previous notice on this subject.
With respect to a child who is in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services (a state ward) and who is subsequently reunited with his/her family, MUSER IV.4.D(2) provides that the child remains a state agency client for six months from when the child returns to his family. When, on the other hand, a child is removed from his/her family home by the Department of Health and Human Services and becomes a state agency client but remains in the custody of a parent or family member, and is subsequently returned to live in the family home, the child will lose state agency client status on the date that the child resumes residence in the family home.
Questions about the custodial status of a child in such a situation should be referred to the DHHS worker assigned to that child.
For more information or if you have questions, contact Maine DOE’s Jon Braff at jonathan.braff@maine.gov or call 624-6671.