Regulation .13 Recommendation for Certification.
Regulation .13 Recommendation for Certification.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The agency's chief administrator or designee shall:
(1)
Make the results of the foster parent's home study and training evaluation available in writing for the record and for the applicant;
(2)
Review charges, investigations, convictions, or findings related to a crime of any household member of the foster parent to determine:
(a)
Possible effect on the applicant's ability to execute the responsibilities of a foster parent; and
(b)
Applicant's ability to provide quality service to children in care;
(3)
Deny the certification of an applicant as a foster parent or a certified foster parent’s ability to maintain their certification if the applicant, foster parent, or any of the applicant’s or foster parent’s household members aged 18 or older:
(a)
Refuses to consent to the child protective service clearance and the criminal background check;
(b)
Has an indicated child abuse finding;
(c)
Has a conviction:
(i)
For child abuse or neglect, a domestically related assault or battery, any crime against children, including child pornography, rape, sexual assault, sexual offense, homicide, human trafficking, or a crime of violence as defined in Family Law Article, §5-101, Annotated Code of Maryland; or
(ii)
Within the 5 years before the application date, for misdemeanor assault or battery that is not domestically related or a felony offense related to a controlled dangerous substance; or
(d)
Refuses to consent to the Motor Vehicle Administration clearance;
(4)
Deny foster parent certification if an applicant has:
(a)
A child abuse or neglect investigation that remains unresolved 120 days after the date on the signed application; or
(b)
Any pending criminal charge listed in §A(3)(c) of this regulation that remains unresolved 120 days after the date on the signed application;
(5)
Review local department records to determine whether an applicant is in arrears on child support payments and, if in arrears, whether the arrearage:
(a)
May be corrected; or
(b)
Impacts on the applicant's ability to provide foster care;
(6)
Decide to certify or deny based on all available information, State requirements, and agency policy;
(7)
Notify the applicant in writing of the decision within 120 days after the date on the signed application; and
(8)
Have a signed agreement with the certified foster parent which includes the following:
(a)
For the foster parent:
(i)
A pledge to serve as foster parent for at least 6 months;
(ii)
Those foster parent's actions which require agency staff authorization;
(iii)
The extent of liability for damage or risk resulting from foster children living with the foster parent;
(iv)
An understanding that certification expires 1 year from the date on the signed agreement; and
(v)
Expectations of the foster parent which support activities to promote the right of a child to relationships with the child's own family and cultural heritage; and
(b)
For the agency:
(i)
An understanding that the foster parent shall be reimbursed financially commensurate with the care needs of the child as specified in the service plan and in a timely manner;
(ii)
A pledge that the foster parent shall be treated with dignity, respect, and consideration as a professional member of the agency's child treatment team; and
(iii)
A pledge to inform the foster parent of the date, time, and location of CRBC and administrative reviews of the foster child's case and resulting appropriate recommendations, providing information to assist a foster parent without disclosing confidential information.
B.
An applicant aggrieved by the agency's chief administrator's decision shall be informed orally and in writing that the applicant may file a grievance in accordance with agency policy.
C.
An individual or couple not certified as a foster parent by an agency may not provide care for a foster child.