<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 07.05.02.08" title_num="07" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="02" heading="Mother-Infant Foster Care.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A certified foster parent may provide care for foster children who are mothers with infants if the agency approves the foster parent in writing for mother-infant foster care.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The mother-infant foster parent shall meet all requirements of Regulations .04—.07 and .09—.12 of this chapter, and, in addition, provide:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The new mother with:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Sanitary space, table, and plumbing necessary to change diapers,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Competent instruction in the care and nurturing of her infant;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Limits on her social activities to assure that she is responsible for her infant;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Opportunity, encouragement, and structure for the completion of her education;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Encouragement to develop her capacity for and understanding of her independence;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Access to health care for herself;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Reasonable flexibility in providing alternate care for her infant;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Guidance in human sexuality; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>A bed in a room separate from where the infant sleeps, after the infant is 6 months old; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The infant with:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Protection from physical harm;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Removal from emotional pain;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Access to health care;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Proper food and nutrition;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Physical warmth and nurture;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Protection from disease;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Physical comfort;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>A proper sleeping environment in an appropriate crib;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>An appropriate feeding schedule;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Regularly changed diapers in a sanitary environment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>When the infant is 6 months old, a crib or appropriate bed in a room separate from where the mother sleeps.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The individual certified as a mother-infant foster parent shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Before the certified foster parent provides mother-infant foster care, receive:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>20 hours of general training described in Regulation .12C of this chapter, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An additional 4 hours of training addressing foster care services provided to a mother who is a foster child;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Annually receive:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>2 hours of training which deals specifically with mother-infant foster care, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>6 hours of training described in Regulation .12D of this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Be interested in providing young mothers with structure and guidance.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>