Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 19 - RULES PROVIDING FOR LICENSING OF CHILD PLACING AGENCIES WITH AND WITHOUT ADOPTION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING ADDENDUM, HOME CERTIFICATION PROCESS › Section 148-19-2 - LICENSING PROCEDURES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. A facility shall
				not place children unless it shall have a license issued by the Department
				authorizing such activity.
B. The
				governing body and the administrator of the child placing agency shall be
				responsible for complying with Maine Statutes and all rules adopted pursuant
				thereto (Title 22 M.R.S.A., sub-title 6).
C. A license shall be effective only at the
				address given on the license. A change of physical location from which a
				licensed child placing agency operates shall require written notification to
				the Department. The Department may re-issue a corrected license for the
				remaining period of the license.
D.
				Applications for a license shall be made to the Department on a form prescribed
				by the Department.
E. If there is a
				change of operator or administrator or location of the facility, the license
				becomes void and a new application for a license must be filed with the
				Department prior to the change, or immediately after the change if the change
				was not planned.
F. Following the
				receipt of an application, the Department will evaluate to determine that the
				child placing agency is in compliance with the rules for child placing agencies
				specified in Parts 10 through 17.
G. At the time of applications the Department
				will request criminal history records from the Department of Public Safety,
				Bureau of Identification, for all persons who are making application for a
				license.
H. Three letters of
				reference will be required from persons in the community to assist the
				Department in evaluating the suitability of the administrator of the agency at
				the time of the original application.
I. The references shall include two
				references from persons with training and experience in the field of social
				work administration to indicate the qualifications and degree of experience of
				the administrator, and one character reference from an unrelated person.
				Additional letters of reference may be required at the discretion of the
				Department prior to the issuance of a license.
J. The applicant may withdraw the application
				at any time during the application period upon notification to the Department.
				The Department shall acknowledge all withdrawals in writing.
K. The Department shall have the right to
				monitor the child placing agency to determine continuing compliance with the
				rules.
L. Agencies seeking renewal
				of a license shall make application 60 days prior to the date of expiration in
				order that necessary licensing procedures may be completed to assure the
				continuity of the license. A licensing study of the child placing agency with
				respect to continuing compliance with these rules will be made at renewal time
				by a representative of the Department.
M. The administrator shall be responsible for
				reporting to the Department any changes which might affect the status of the
				license.
N. As part of the
				application or renewal process, the applicant or licensee shall provide
				appropriate releases of information so that the Department may obtain relevant
				information to ascertain whether the applicant or licensee is in compliance
				with these Rules.
O. In some
				instances there are no common definitions as to degree of compliance with
				rules. When such instances occur in these rules, the determination of
				compliance or non-compliance with rules shall be made at the discretion of the
				Department.
P. The agency shall
				cooperate with the licensing department In any investigation involving the
				agency or persons receiving services from the agency.
Q. The agency shall post the license in a
				place clearly visible to any person entering the agency.