<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".17" citation="COMAR 07.05.01.17" title_num="07" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="01" heading="Contractual, Professional, Volunteer, and Student Services.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Contractual Services.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An individual employed by the agency who is not a full-time employee shall be bound by the provisions of a contract with the agency to provide specific, ethical, consistent, and appropriate services.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A contractual employee shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be approved by the chief administrator;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Be supervised by appropriate agency staff;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Be identified to the public as an employee of the agency when providing contractual services for the agency;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Adhere to agency policies;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Receive orientation and continued training as necessary;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Comply with all agency confidentiality requirements;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Be subject to all requirements in Regulations .09 and .13 of this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Be included in the list of employees provided to OLM before the agency’s license is renewed.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Professional Services.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The agency shall, with the concurrence and support of a child's parent or legal custodian, obtain or document the attempt to obtain professional services that are not available within the agency as required by the child's individual case plan.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The agency shall ensure that any professional providing a direct service to a child in care:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Communicates with agency staff regarding the services provided; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Be made aware of the relevant aspects of the child's case plan.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The agency shall document that all professionals providing services to the agency, whether working directly with children in care or providing consultation to employees of the agency:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Are qualified, and certified or licensed as appropriate to the Profession; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Have met the requirements of Regulation .09 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Volunteers. An agency may use volunteers, including students for field placements or internships, to perform tasks and duties in the agency and shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Develop a written plan for the use of volunteers that includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A description of duties and responsibilities for volunteers;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Designation of an employee who will be supervising volunteers;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The orientation and continued training program for volunteers that will familiarize them with personnel policies and confidentiality requirements of the agency; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The method and frequency with which the agency will evaluate its volunteers;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Require personal references, criminal background checks, and health checks as required in Regulation .09 of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Ensure that volunteers are not assigned to fill a staff position required by the agency’s service program plan;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Keep records on the hours and activities of regular volunteers; and;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Provide each volunteer with a copy of the program plan for volunteers described in §C(1) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Student Services. An agency that accepts students for field placements or internships shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Have a written agreement with the student’s school that includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An outline of the tasks and functions expected of the student and the school;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The requirement that the student meet the requirements of Regulation .09 of this chapter;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Designation of a qualified employee to supervise and evaluate the student, and serve as liaison with the student’s school;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A plan for orientation and training of the student in the philosophy of the agency, needs of the children in care and their families, and confidentiality requirements; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The assurance that the student will not be assigned to fill a staff position; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Provide an opportunity for the student to participate in developing and implementing case plans for the children and families with whom the student works directly.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>