# COMAR Title 07 — Department of Human Services

## Subtitle 05 — Social Services Administration—Private Child Placement Agencies

### Chapter 02 — Private Foster Care

#### Regulation .05 Application for Foster Parent Certification.

*COMAR 07.05.02.05*

A. Foster parent applicants shall be single individuals or couples who may be employed.

B. A prospective foster parent shall sign and date an application indicating a willingness to be a certified foster parent.

C. An appropriate agency employee shall conduct one or more documented application interviews with the applicant alone or in a group with other applicants. The interviews shall include a discussion of the following:

  (1) Definition and goals of foster care;

  (2) Differences between foster parenting and parenting one's own child or adopting a child;

  (3) Reasons children receive foster care services;

  (4) Characteristics of birth parents, their problems, needs, rights, and responsibilities;

  (5) Potential impact of foster care responsibilities on the applicant;

  (6) Requirements for foster care certification as described in Regulations .05—.12 of this chapter and in agency policy;

  (7) Agency's policy on discipline;

  (8) Applicant's assessment, with the agency, of the potential for foster parenthood;

  (9) Number and characteristics of foster children for whom the applicant is best suited;

  (10) Financial requirements of foster parents; and

  (11) Financial obligations of the agency to foster parents and foster children.