10-148-13 Me. Code R. § 1
Adoption assistance is an ongoing program within the Department of Human Services to make adoption possible for children who otherwise may not be adopted. Its purpose is to enable the child to become a permanent member of a family and to provide the benefits of family security, love, and nurture for children in special circumstances presently in the custody of the Department of Human Services or a non-profit private adoption agency, licensed to operate in Maine. Adoption assistance may be authorized to supplement the resources of approved adoptive families in order to meet a portion of the basic needs of the eligible child without lowering the standard of living of the family. In all instances the primary consideration in whether to place the child for adoption is the best interests of the child. Funds for the adoption assistance program will be taken from those appropriated for child welfare services and from funds under Title IV-E and Title IV-B of the United States Social Security Act. The adoption assistance program will be limited to the availability of funds.
10-148 C.M.R. ch. 13, § 1