Block Grant 2601MEPSGP

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services received a $3.5 million block grant award from the Administration on Children Youth and Families (ACF) under the Title IV-E Prevention Program (CFDA 93.472) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This funding supports time-limited prevention services designed to reduce the likelihood of children and youth entering foster care, including mental health treatment, substance abuse interventions, and in-home parenting skill-based programs. The grant targets vulnerable populations including children at risk of foster care placement, pregnant or parenting foster youth, and their parent or kinship caregivers, with services provided regardless of Title IV-E foster care maintenance payment eligibility.

As a formula award under an approved Title IV-E prevention plan, Maine DHHS will administer these prevention services across the state through its established child welfare infrastructure. The agency will maintain comprehensive financial and programmatic records in accordance with 45 CFR Part 75 and submit quarterly claims via federal financial reports (Form CB-496) to draw down awarded funds. Maine DHHS's substantial existing portfolio managing over $1.1 billion in federal health and human services grants, including $12.6 million in Foster Care Title IV-E funding and $18.4 million in Adoption Assistance awards, demonstrates its established capacity to effectively implement prevention service initiatives at scale.