Getting started.
Who this helps
Services vary by program. Foster care and adoption inquiries are welcome from any interested adult. Child protective services respond to reports of abuse or neglect involving any child in Maine. Family support services may have income or other eligibility criteria.
How to get started
For foster care or adoption inquiries, call 207-624-7900. For child abuse or neglect reports, call 1-800-452-1999 (available 24/7). OCFS has district offices throughout Maine. Staff will guide you through the appropriate process based on your needs.
How they can help.
The Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) within Maine DHHS serves children and families through its Divisions of Child Welfare, Children's Behavioral Health, Early Childhood, and Public Service Management. OCFS manages foster care placements, adoption services, child protective investigations, and support programs for families. For reporting child abuse or neglect, call the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-452-1999.
- Foster care licensing and placement
- Adoption services
- Child protective investigations
- Family support and preservation services
- Children's behavioral health services
- Early childhood programs
- Kinship care support
- Independent living services for older youth
What to have ready.
For foster care licensing, you will need to complete an application and background check process. For reporting concerns about a child, have as much information available as possible about the child and situation.
Call with your questions