<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".17" citation="COMAR 07.02.11.17" title_num="07" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="11" heading="Visitation with the Child in Out-of-Home Placement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The local department caseworker shall have regular visits with the child in out-of-home placement, as required in this regulation. However, the visits shall be more frequent than as indicated in this regulation when, in the caseworker's professional judgment, it is appropriate to do so.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>For a child placed in a resource family home, group care a residential treatment facility, or a semi-independent living arrangement, the following apply:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The caseworker shall have a face-to-face visit with the child within 5 working days of placement, and subsequently at least once a month;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The majority of the monthly visits shall occur in the placement where the child lives; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The caseworker shall have a face-to-face visit with the out-of-home placement provider at least once every 3 months to obtain information about the child's progress, care needs, medical status, and educational needs.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A child placed out-of-State in a foster home or a kinship home shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be visited monthly by the local department when geographically or fiscally feasible; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Be visited monthly by the receiving state when placed in accordance with an approved Interstate Compact For the Placement of Children, and the receiving state shall provide Maryland with quarterly visitation reports.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>For a child placed in an out-of-State group home or residential treatment facility, the following apply:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The caseworker shall visit the child at the facility monthly if geographically or fiscally feasible; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If it is not geographically or fiscally feasible for monthly visits, the caseworker shall visit the child in the placement quarterly.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Each visit with the child shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be of sufficient duration and privacy to allow the child the opportunity to express any concerns regarding the placement, services, or needs;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Include a discussion, appropriate to the age and cognitive ability of the child, of the major focus areas related to the child, which includes the child's:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Safety;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Physical and mental health;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Progress and concerns;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Relationships or visits with parents, siblings, and other relatives; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Overall well-being.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Every contact with the child shall be documented in the child's record, including:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The date and location of the visit;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If other than a visit, the nature of the contact;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The name of the person making the contact;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The agency that made the visit, if other than the local department;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A summary of any significant results of the contact;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A discussion of major content areas as described in §F of this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>A discussion of monthly meetings between the caregiver or group care staff;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Assessments of the quality of care being provided and the child's adjustment to the placement; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>The child's safety evaluation using the approved safety assessment tool.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Every visit with the child shall be documented as immediately as possible in the case record but not later than 5 business days after the visit occurs.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>