Prevent Child Abuse in Maine
How do I get online child abuse prevention training and background checks?
Compass Abuse Prevention Services offers online child abuse prevention training and background checks.
What is child abuse and neglect in Maine?
According to Maine law, abuse or neglect is a threat to the child’s health and welfare by physical, mental or emotional injury or impairment, sexual abuse or exploitation, deprivation of essential needs or lack of protection from these, by a person responsible for the child.
According to the Child Welfare League of America, there were 4,726 victims of abuse or neglect in Maine in 2020, a rate of 19 per 1,000 children. This is a 37.1% increase since 2016.
Who is a mandated reporter according to ME state requirements?
- An allopathic or osteopathic physician, resident or intern;
- An emergency medical services person;
- A medical examiner;
- A physician’s assistant;
- A dentist;
- A dental hygienist;
- A dental assistant;
- A chiropractor;
- A podiatrist;
- A registered or licensed practical nurse;
- A teacher;
- A guidance counselor;
- A school official;
- A youth camp administrator or counselor;
- A social worker;
- A court-appointed special advocate or guardian ad litem for the child;
- A homemaker;
- A home health aide;
- A medical or social service worker;
- A psychologist;
- Child care personnel;
- A mental health professional;
- A law enforcement official;
- A state or municipal fire inspector;
- A municipal code enforcement official;
- A commercial film and photographic print processor;
- A clergy member acquiring the information as a result of clerical professional work except for information received during confidential communications;
- A chair of a professional licensing board that has jurisdiction over mandated reporters;
- A humane agent employed by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry;
- A sexual assault counselor;
- A family or domestic violence victim advocate; and
- A school bus driver or school bus attendant;
- Anyone who has assumed full, intermittent, or occasional responsibility for the care or custody of the child.
- Anyone affiliated with a church or religious institution who serves in an administrative capacity or has otherwise assumed a position of trust or responsibility to the members of that church or religious institution, while acting in that capacity.
Mandatory reporters must complete mandated reporter training approved by the department at least once every 4 years. Here is online mandatory reporter training in Maine.
Any person, even if they are not a mandated reporter, may make a child abuse and neglect report.
How do I report child abuse in Maine?
Anyone can report child abuse and neglect to the 24/7 Child Protective Intake Hotline at: 800-452-1999.
Mandated reporters can report non-emergency abuse online.
How do I contact the ME Department of Health and Human Services?
Contact the Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Child and Family Services
2 Anthony Avenue
Augusta, Maine 04333-011
207- 624-7900
Disclaimer: Please ensure the information and courses meet requirements for your organization and circumstances and align with what your state Department of Health and Human Services requires. The state requirements and child abuse and human trafficking statistics listed on this page are current as of February 20th, 2023 to meet the best information available. State requirements may change and it is your responsibility to know your state mandated reporter requirements and the process for online child abuse prevention training. Compass Abuse Prevention Services can not guarantee acceptance by your school, organization, or state Office of Child and Family Services. If there is a child abuse emergency, call 911 immediately.