# COMAR Title 07 — Department of Human Services ## Subtitle 02 — Social Services Administration ### Chapter 22 — Family Support Center Program **Authority:** Article 88A, §§3 and 5, Annotated Code of Maryland **Administrative History:** Effective date: April 6, 1987 (14:7 Md. R. 829) **Administrative History:** Regulation .02A amended effective October 4, 1999 (26:20 Md. R. 1544) **Administrative History:** Regulation .02B amended effective December 26, 1988 (15:26 Md. R. 2981); October 4, 1999 (26:20 Md. R. 1544) **Administrative History:** Regulation .05A amended effective October 4, 1999 (26:20 Md. R. 1544) **Administrative History:** Regulation .06 amended effective October 4, 1999 (26:20 Md. R. 1544) **Administrative History:** Regulation .07 amended effective October 4, 1999 (26:20 Md. R. 1544) #### Regulation .01 Purpose. *COMAR 07.02.22.01* The purpose of a family support center program is to provide parents and their children with a hospitable and constructive environment to provide or coordinate services which: A. Improve parenting skills; B. Develop the family as a functioning unit; and C. Promote the growth and development of their children. #### Regulation .02 Definitions. *COMAR 07.02.22.02* A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Administration” means the Social Services Administration of the Department of Human Services as staff to the Subcabinet. (2) “Applicant” means a parent who has applied to receive services from one of the family support centers in the network. (3) "Center" means a family support center operated by a provider under a contract with the Intermediary. (4) “Intermediary” means the agency that provides management for the operation of the State's network of community-based family support centers. (5) “Parent” means the mother or father of a child and includes a single youth who is at risk of early or unplanned parenthood. (6) “Provider” means an agency or individual who contracts with the Intermediary to operate a center. (7) “Subcabinet” means the Subcabinet for Children, Youth and Families established under Article 49D, §4.1, Annotated Code of Maryland. (8) “Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)” means a form of cash assistance provided to assistance units that are technically and financially eligible. #### Regulation .03 Eligibility for the Program. *COMAR 07.02.22.03* Any parent may use the center. #### Regulation .04 Delivery of Service. *COMAR 07.02.22.04* A. A center shall provide directly, by purchase or other arrangement, services to include: (1) Parenting skills, parent education classes, and other activities; (2) Health care counselling; (3) Diagnostic and assessment services to identify developmental problems of the young parent and of the child; (4) Child care as necessary to allow participation in the Program; (5) Peer support activities, including recreational and social activities; (6) Educational services such as GED and post-high school classes; and (7) Pre-employment counselling and skill development, to assist the parent in securing and maintaining employment. B. The center shall plan and provide services to both parents, their children, grandparents, and other family members, to the extent possible. C. The center may provide other services when approved by the Intermediary. #### Regulation .05 Requirements for a Center. *COMAR 07.02.22.05* A. Before operating a center, the provider shall submit to the Intermediary a program plan which describes the: (1) Services to be provided; (2) Manner in which the services are provided; (3) Staff to carry out the program and training plans for the staff. B. The provider: (1) Shall employ staff of the type and qualifications as required by the program plan; (2) May use volunteers in the program and train and supervise them as required by the program plan; (3) Shall operate the center during the day, evenings, and weekends as necessary to meet the parents' needs according to the program plan. C. The program plan shall describe the methods to be used to refer parents to other agencies that provide services not available at the center. #### Regulation .06 Records and Reports. *COMAR 07.02.22.06* A. The center shall maintain: (1) A record of: (a) Attendance at the center, (b) Expenditures to be reimbursed by the designated State fiscal agent, (c) Services provided; and (2) Other records as required by the Administration. B. The Intermediary shall send to the Administration: (1) A written monthly report of: (a) Center attendance, including number of TCA customers serviced, (b) Expenditures to be reimbursed by the designated State fiscal agent, (c) Types of services provided; and (2) Copies of reports made by the center to other agencies or organizations, including private foundations and the Maryland Legislature. C. The provider shall maintain the records and reports of grievance decisions for inspection by the Intermediary and Administration. #### Regulation .07 Grievance Process. *COMAR 07.02.22.07* A. The provider shall include in the program plan a description of the grievance system in each center available to parents. B. The grievance system shall include: (1) A written decision to parents by the provider resolving the grievance, and the procedures for appealing to the Intermediary; (2) A written decision to parents by the Intermediary reviewing the decision of the provider, and the procedures for appealing to the Office of Administrative Hearings; and (3) A written communication to the Administration containing the results of the grievance. C. An applicant for services may appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings for a fair hearing in the following situations: (1) The applicant's complaint is not resolved by the provider's grievance system; (2) The applicant is denied services; or (3) The applicant disagrees with the manner or form of the provisions of service. D. The Office of Administrative Hearings fair hearing process shall conform to the procedures in COMAR 07.01.04.