State Wards & Agency Clients

The Maine Department of Education is charged with ensuring that state wards and state agency clients receive the free, appropriate public education they're entitled to under state and federal law.

State Wards

A state ward is a child in the legal custody of the State of Maine.

Under Maine law, a state ward is considered a resident of the school administrative unit where his or her residential placement is located. As a result, the school administrative unit must enroll and educate a state ward as it would any other resident student.

The Maine Department of Education pays 100 percent of special education costs for state wards upon receiving a request for reimbursement from the school administrative unit.

State Agency Clients

A state agency client is a child with a disability who fits one or more of the following descriptions:

  • A child who is in the care or custody of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
  • A child placed by the Department of Health and Human Services or an authorized agent of Children's Behavioral Health Services in the care of someone who is not the child's parent, legal guardian or relative for non-educational reasons.
  • A child who attends a public or private school while a resident of a state-operated institution.
  • A child who is in the custody or under the supervision of the Maine Department of Corrections -- including a juvenile on conditional release, on probation, or on community reintegration status from Long Creek Youth Development Center or Mountain View Youth Development Center and placed by the Department of Corrections for non-educational reasons in the care of someone who is not his or her parent, legal guardian or relative.

Under Maine law, a state agency client is considered a resident of the school administrative unit where his or her residential placement is located. As a result, the school administrative unit must enroll and educate a state agency client as it would any other resident student.

The Maine Department of Education pays 100 percent of special education costs for state agency clients upon receiving a request for reimbursement from the school administrative unit.

Resources for School Districts

  • State Agency Client Request for Reimbursement. School administrative units must submit this form, EF-S-04A-B, by the 15th day of each month in order to receive payment for special education services they provide to state wards and agency clients. (Link opens a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet; download Excel Viewer.)
  • Instructions. The Department provides instructions for school units on completing the request for reimbursement. (Link opens a Microsoft Word document; download Word Viewer.)
  • Recorded Webinar. This webinar, recorded Sept. 13, 2011, explains the State Agency Client Request for Reimbursement.
  • Rules and Statutes. Review the rules and statutes that apply to providing educational services for state wards and agency clients. (Link opens a Microsoft Word document; download Word Viewer.)

Contact

Nancy Connolly
State Agency Client Coordinator
207-624-6650
nancy.connolly@maine.gov