Legislative actions within our State may put multiple services for children with disabilities at risk. We are sharing this information because families deserve to know what is happening, how it may impact their children, and provide you an avenue for your voice to be heard.
1. Harder to Qualify for Case Management and Section 28 Services
Maine is changing the rules for:
- Section 13 Children’s Targeted Case Management (TCM)
- Section 28 In‑Home and Community‑Based Supports
These changes will make it harder for children to qualify, even if their needs have not changed. This is happening at the same time the State has long waitlists and not enough providers. Instead of fixing the workforce shortage, the State is making the rules tighter.
2. Special Education Teachers May Not Need Age‑Specific Training
The State has proposed giving teachers one special education certification for all grades, Pre‑K through 12. This means a teacher could work with a preschooler, a high school student, or anything in between without having training specific to the age group. Children at different ages learn in very different ways, and they need teachers who understand their developmental needs
3. The State May Stop Reporting Unmet Need for Preschoolers
The Department of Education has proposed ending the requirement to report unmet need for children ages 3–5. Maine already struggles to provide timely services to preschoolers because of workforce shortages. If the State stops reporting unmet need, families and lawmakers will not have the information they need to address the transition of these students to public schools.
LD 2020 An Act to Update Department of Education Reporting Requirements
4. Schools May Be Allowed to Use Restraint and Seclusion More Easily
Changes to Chapter 33 will make it easier for schools to restrain or seclude children. This is especially concerning because many children show challenging behaviors when they are not getting the services they need. Instead of giving children more support, the rules would allow schools to use restraint and seclusion more often.
What Can You Do?
Maine Parent Federation has created a sign on letter addressing these concerns which we will be forwarding to members of the Health and Human Services and Education Legislative Committees and leaders at the Departments of Health and Human Services and Education.
If you are impacted by these changes and would like to have your voice heard please consider signing the letter. We are looking for anybody impacted, parents/caregivers, professionals, providers, and self-advocates alike. In the affiliation section you are able to enter an agency name, “parent”, “provider”, etc… or just leave blank.
If you have questions, please reach out to Carrie Woodcock at cwoodcock@mpf.org.