Regulation .09 Certified Foster Parent Restrictions and Reporting Responsibilities.
Regulation .09 Certified Foster Parent Restrictions and Reporting Responsibilities.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A certified foster parent shall accept all restrictions imposed by the agency.
B.
A certified foster parent shall:
(1)
When a foster child's whereabouts are unknown for 2 hours, notify the local law enforcement authority and the agency:
(a)
Immediately by phone call; and
(b)
Within 48 hours by written report;
(2)
Immediately notify the agency of all critical incidents including a foster child's:
(a)
Death;
(b)
Injury;
(c)
Serious illness;
(d)
Incarceration; or
(e)
Suspected physical abuse, neglect, or mental injury;
(3)
Within 48 hours, notify the agency of changes in the foster parent's household, including:
(a)
Employment and child care arrangements;
(b)
Household composition;
(c)
Residence and telephone number;
(d)
Health status; and
(e)
Stressful conditions which may affect the child's placement;
(4)
Obtain approval from the agency for other adults to supervise the child while the foster parent is employed;
(5)
Be 21 years old or older;
(6)
If 61 years old or older, have adequate physical strength and emotional stability to meet the needs of a child as documented by:
(a)
A physician's report; and
(b)
The agency child placement worker's assessment; and
(7)
Assist in the child's relationship with parents by:
(a)
Helping the child visit with parents;
(b)
Maintaining respect towards the child's parents; and
(c)
Informing the child's parents about events and happenings in the child's daily life.
C.
A certified foster parent may not:
(1)
Unless referred as described in COMAR 07.05.03.05E, accept a child for foster care from any individual or agency other than the agency that certified the foster parent;
(2)
Accept a child for foster care who is in State custody if the certified foster parent is employed by:
(a)
A local department, child welfare services;
(b)
The Department of Juvenile Services;
(c)
Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality;
(d)
Department of Education, Interagency Rates;
(e)
Governor's Office on Children, Youth, and Families; or
(f)
The Administration;
(3)
Be certified as a foster parent by an agency in which the foster parent is:
(a)
An agency employee who works in child foster care or adoption service; or
(b)
A member of the agency's governing board;
(4)
Provide adult care;
(5)
Provide independent boarding care;
(6)
Accept for care an elderly individual or convalescent related to the foster parent unless the agency documents that the child's care is not affected;
(7)
Have, including the certified foster parent's own children, more than:
(a)
Six children in care; or
(b)
Eight children when caring for a sibling group of foster children;
(8)
Have, including the infants of foster children and certified foster parents:
(a)
More than two infants; or
(b)
More than six children when:
(i)
There is an infant in the home, or
(ii)
Three children are younger than 6 years old;
(9)
Provide child day care except with the Administration's written authorization after review of the certified foster parent according to the following criteria:
(a)
The foster parent meets the requirements of this chapter and COMAR 07.04.01;
(b)
The foster parent has the physical strength and emotional stability to be responsible for:
(i)
The day care of one or more children, and
(ii)
Supervision of one or more foster children;
(c)
The foster parent's day care of other children does not adversely affect the status or feeling of security of any foster child in the home; and
(d)
The foster parent does not provide treatment foster care services; or
(10)
Allow the child to be disciplined by:
(a)
Corporal punishment;
(b)
Deprivation of food, shelter, clothing, care, or emotional support;
(c)
Physical restraint;
(d)
Isolation; or
(e)
Demeaning verbal abuse.