<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 07.05.01.06" title_num="07" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="01" heading="Agency Purpose and Finances.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The agency shall have a written statement of its child placement philosophy, purpose, and program that describes the agency's program policy goals and objectives. The statement shall be available to OLM, referral sources, service recipients, and the public on request. The statement shall include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Criteria as appropriate for the respective services provided by the agency for the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Age of children served,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Sex of children served,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Recruitment, selection, and training of agency staff,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Fees for services,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Child discipline policy, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Record maintenance and accessibility;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A written description of the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Geographical area the agency serves or intends to serve, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Clients or potential clients of the services it provides or proposes to provide; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A written description of the office, with address, which shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Located within the State, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Easily accessible to the clientele, staff, and community by public and private transportation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Before an agency is licensed for the first time it shall document that the governing board has access to funding necessary for a 6-month period of operation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The governing board shall document its annual review and approval of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A written budget that demonstrates its financial capability to operate for the next fiscal year;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Periodic accounting reports in compliance with applicable State law; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>An annual report by an independent certified public accountant of an:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Audit, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Audit review, if OLM determines the size and source of the agency’s finances do not require an audit.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If an agency charges fees, it shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Have a written policy:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Stating the amount charged for services provided, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Describing the conditions under which fees are waived or returned; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Make the fee policy available to the public.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>