Behavioral Health - Region I
Region I - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q - Who can I call if I am in need of case management?
A - Any of the above intake workers may also be reached through our toll-free number:
1-800-269-5208, TTY: (207)822-0272 Fax: (207)822-0295.
Q - Are there any fees for services?
A - BH does not charge fees for service, however, there are some community
providers that do charge a sliding scale fee for people who are
able to pay based on income criteria.
Q - When is the office open?
A - The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The office is not open on State and Federal holidays.
Q - Who qualifies for mental retardation services?
A - Any person, who is 18 years of age, and has been properly diagnosed as having mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorder, or autism qualifies for services.
Q - Who qualifies for mental health services?
A - Adults, 18 years of age and older, who have been diagnosed with a mental illness, but who have not benefited from more traditional mental health interventions.
Q - Who qualifies for services from Services for Children with Special Needs?
A - Children birth to 5 with developmental delays or disabilities, children 5 to 18 with mental retardation or autism, children up to age 18 who have emotional or behavioral disorders.
Q - Who can I call if I am in crisis?
A - Toll-Free Statewide Crisis Number 1-888-568-1112
Cumberland County: Ingraham (24 hour hotline) 774-HELP
York County: Crisis Response Services (24 hour hotline) 1-800-660-8500
Q - Who can I call if I am in need of emergency housing or housing assistance?
A - If you are in an emergency situation, please call our general number (207)822-0270
and 1-800-269-5208 and ask to speak to the Officer of the Day. Families receiving assistance from Services for Children with Special Needs are urged to speak with the case manager assigned to them. If you do not have a case manager, or if you case manager is unavailable, please call our general number and ask to speak with the Officer of the Day. Consumers working with a community support worker or case manager are encouraged to first contact the provider they are working with in the community.
Q - Who can I call if I feel I have been unjustly treated by a provider, or by the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services?
A - An Office of Advocacy exists within the Department of Behavioral
Health Services. The responsibility of the advocates is to ensure
clients are being treated fairly, and that their rights and dignity
are respected at all times. You can reach the Advocates at one of
the following numbers during normal business hours, (207)822-0321
or
Disability Rights Center of Maine staff are also available to assist you, Voice and TTY:
1-800-452-1948.
Q - What services does Services for Children with Special Needs (SCSN) provide?
A - Staff at the Regional Office provide home teaching, family support, service coordination, and developmental assessments to families with young children. Regional Office staff also provide case management for school-age children with mental retardation and autism. Staff in the Regional Office oversee contracts with many community providers for services to children. Through these contracts, children and families access respite services, therapeutic recreation, and crisis services. Services to children with emotional and behavioral disorders are provided through contracts which include (mental health) case management, home-based family services, family mediation, homeless youth services, sex abuse treatment. The Regional Office also works closely with agencies who provide Medicaid-funded intensive in-home services for children with special needs.
Q - How do I sign up for services from Services for Children with Special Needs?
A -To get services for your young child (birth to 5), or your child with mental retardation or autism, call the intake social worker for children’s services at the Regional Office (207)822-0270. To get mental health case management for your child, in
Cumberland County call Community Counseling Center at (207)874-1030; or in
York County call Sweetser Children's Services at (207)284-5981.
For mental health case management and for any other contracted community services, you can call the agency directly, without going through the Regional Office.
Q - Do I have to come into your office for an intake from Services for Children with Special Needs? For services?
A - No, you don’t have to come to our office. The Intake Social Worker, the early intervention services staff and the children’s mental retardation/autism staff go to homes, schools, daycare centers, and other places where children and families are comfortable. Most of the community service providers also meet children and families at home, school, and other settings. This depends on the program.
Q - What does Services for Special Needs pay for?
A - Through our contracts, we pay for a range of services such as case management, crisis services, home-based family services, infant/toddler services, family mediation, homeless services, sexual abuse treatment, etc. We have a limited amount of "flexible funds" we use to meet individualized needs.
Q - The hospital has recommended that my child go to residential treatment. Will Services for Children with Special Needs pay for this?
A - Families often hear about residential treatment through hospitals, schools, and agencies. There are many other options available besides residential care. With the help of case managers, families often find creative ways to meet their needs while keeping the child in his/her own home and school. The Regional Office works with families and case managers to find ways to fund individualized plans for children.
Q - Does Services for Children with Special Needs have funds for children who are not their clients?
A - Yes, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for the particular program. If you have any
questions about this, please call the Intake Social Worker, one of the Supervisors, or the Children’s Mental Health Coordinator.
Q - What is respite? How do I find a respite provider?
A - We define respite as a planned break for the parent from the child. Respite care gives caregivers the chance to have some time for themselves away from the responsibility for caring for the child with special needs. The Region I office has a contract with Woodfords Family Services for respite care. The staff at Woodfords work with each family to find a respite provider. Woodfords keeps a list of trained, certified respite providers. Families can also arrange with Woodfords to have a provider of their choice provide respite for their child.
Q - Does Services for Children with Special Needs pay for childcare?
A - The Department does not pay for childcare.
Q - What services are provided for children with autism?
A - Consultations to families around behavioral issues, daily living skills, and other issues which would be unique to the child. Children under age 5 with autism qualify for early intervention services through this office. School-age children with autism qualify for case management services through the Regional Office. Children with autism benefit from in-home support services, which are provided by a network of community agencies, funded through Medicaid.
Q - Does Services for Children with Special Needs pay for medical bills and medications?
A - Generally, the Department does not pay for medical bills and medications. On very rare occasions, we have used our flexible funds for small expenses of a temporary, short-term nature.
Q - Are you the same as DHHS?
A - No. This Regional Office is part of the Department of
Behavioral Health Services. We are separate from DHHS. At the DHHS
office on Forest Avenue you will find the Office of Child and Family
Services, which provides child protective services, and also oversees
care for State wards. The other parts of DHHS, such as child care
licensing, Medicaid, Food Stamps, etc. are all separate from this
office.
Q - Are you the same as CDS?
A - No. The local Child Development Services site is part of the Department of Education. CDS operates under Federal and State laws about Special Education. The Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services operates under a different set of laws, and focuses on needs for family support and community integration. This Regional Office’s early intervention staff work closely with staff at Child Development Services around the needs of young children with developmental delays and disabilities, and their families.
Q - Do I have to have Medicaid in order to get services from Services for Children with Special Needs?
A - No. Services from the Regional Office are available to Medicaid recipients and to families who do not have Medicaid. However, Medicaid can be helpful in accessing some services for children with special needs. Staff at the Regional Office are available to discuss this with families.
Q - What is the grievance procedure?
A - As a recipient of mental health, mental retardation, or children’s
services, you have certain rights in addition to any other rights
you may have as a citizen. If you are receiving inpatient or outpatient
services, you always have the right to be treated with courtesy and
respect, and a treatment environment that upholds these values. No
right, benefit, privilege or authority may be denied to you simply
because you are a recipient of services. Any possible violation of
basic rights is cause for grievance. Grievances may also be filed
when you feel you have been subjected to any questionable or inappropriate
treatment or method of providing treatment. You may also choose to
file a grievance if you are dissatisfied with any policy or procedure
that is used in relation to your care, any action taken by a mental
health facility or agency, or inaction of a facility or agency. BH
Office of Advocacy staff are available to assist you throughout the
process. Disability Rights Center of Maine staff are also very experienced
in representing recipients’ interests throughout the grievance
process. For more information about or assistance with the grievance
process, contact:
BDS Office of Advocacy (207) 822-0321, or
Disability Rights Center of Maine Voice and TTY: 1-800-452-1948.
Q - Do I need to have a guardian?
A - Not necessarily. If a consumer is making wise, informed decisions, a guardian may not be needed. A judge can determine the need for a guardian.
Q - Will Adult Developmental (DS) Services pay for
transportation?
A - If you need transportation to a Medicaid covered service, RTP, YCAP, or a volunteer driver may be used. If you need transportation to a service not covered by Medicaid, a ride can be arranged for through natural supports, such as family members or friends. If none of these are available, we can explore other resources.
Q - When will I get a social worker from Adult Developmental
(DS) Services?
A - You will be assigned a social worker as soon as one becomes available. New social workers are being hired. Meanwhile, you will be on the waiting list and the Intake Coordinator will be your contact.
Q - What kinds of things can Adult Developmental (DS)
Services help me with?
A - Adults With Cognitive and Physical Disability Services staff believe
that people who have mental retardation or autism should have services
and supports that meet their own particular interests and needs.
This is called person-centered planning. The person directs the
planning process as much as possible. For example, by choosing who
will be invited to join them in the planning and what areas of their
life will be addressed. Services are based on the person’s
preferences and choices.
Q - What happens if I apply for services from Adults
With Cognitive and Physical Disability Services and am found
ineligible?
A - If you receive a letter that you have been denied services and
you feel that the decision was not correct, contact the Regional Supervisor
at the Regional Office and tell them that you wish to appeal the decision.
The process is relatively simple and Adults With Cognitive and Physical
Disability Services will provide assistance with the paperwork if
you need help.
Q - If I qualify for services from Adult Developmental
(DS) Services, do I still have the right to refuse services?
A - Yes. Adults With Cognitive and Physical Disability Services is
a voluntary state agency. Services are provided to eligible citizens
and their families only with their or their guardian’s knowledge and consent.
