Section 148-12-2 - DEFINITIONSAs used in these rules, the following definitions shall apply:
a. The term "Department" refers to the Department of Heath and Human Services.b. For guardianship subsidy purposes, the term "child" refers to a special needs child in the custody of the Department or of Tribal authorities in the State of Maine.c. The term "family" refers to any person or persons who wishes to apply for guardianship subsidy.d. The term "special needs" refers to a child with one or more of the following characteristics: 1 Has a physical, mental or emotional handicap that makes placement difficult;2 Has a medical condition that makes placement difficult;3 Is a member of a sibling group that includes at least one member who is difficult to place.5 Is difficult to place because of race;6 Has been a victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect that places the child at risk for future emotional difficulties; or7 Has factors in the child's background such as severe mental illness, substance abuse, genetic or medical conditions or illnesses that place the child at risk for future problems. For purposes of this definition "at risk" is meant to have some significance in a statistical, mental health or medical sense, i.e., some probability of occurrence that is not merely speculative or statistically insignificant.10-148 C.M.R. ch. 12, § 2