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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 14.31.06.09" title_num="14" subtitle_num="31" chapter_num="06" heading="General Program Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Community Integration. The licensee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Develop and institute a plan to integrate the program into the life of the community, ensuring that children have opportunities to participate in community activities to a degree consistent with their needs and limitations;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Ensure that community residents have reasonable access to the program administrator to address concerns about the program staff and residents;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Appoint at least one resident of the community to be a member of the Board; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Develop and implement a procedure for the resolution of complaints from the community.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Communications with Family and Others. The licensee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Before or upon placement, give the child’s parent or legal guardian, the placing agency, and the child, a program handbook that is in a format that is understandable and comprehensive, and includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The mission of the program and its admission and discharge policy;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Normal daily routines;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Treatment strategies and disciplinary philosophy;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Visiting hours and other procedures related to communication with the child;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>A procedure through which the child or parent may register grievances regarding the child's care;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>The program’s policies with respect to accessing health care and the exercise of religion or a life philosophy; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>The telephone number of the appropriate staff on duty who may be contacted;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Implement a written policy regarding communication which includes visitation, correspondence, reports, and telephone contact between the child and others;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Consult with the placing agency to ascertain the child’s status with respect to family member contact and encourage family participation in the plan of care;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Consistent with the child's individual plan of care, maintain conditions of reasonable privacy for the child’s visits and telephone contacts;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Have flexible visiting hours for visitors who are unable to visit at the regular times;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Unless inconsistent with the child’s individual plan of care, permit the child to receive and send mail;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Establish and implement written procedures for all overnight visits away from the program which address:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Documentation of permission from the placing agency, parent, or guardian;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Determination of the duration of the visit; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Documentation of the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Name and address of the individual responsible for the child while absent from the program;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Child's location while absent from the program; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Time of the child's departure from and return to the program;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Prohibit restrictions on a child’s access to the child’s attorney; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>When a child’s communication with an individual outside the program is curtailed or terminated:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Inform the child and, unless unsafe for the child, the individual affected by the restriction; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Include a written statement of the reasons for the restriction in the child's case file.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Normal Daily Routines. The licensee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Have a written plan of normal daily routines which shall be made available to the children and employees; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Unless inappropriate, permit the children to participate in planning normal daily routines.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Public Relations.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Before using a child's picture or other uniquely identifying information for the purpose of public relations in any form, the licensee shall obtain the written consent of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The child, if appropriate;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The child's parent or legal guardian; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>If required, the juvenile court.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The licensee may not use a child, a child’s picture, or other uniquely identifying information in any way that would likely be harmful or cause embarrassment to the child or the child’s family.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Child Grievance Procedure.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The licensee shall establish and follow a written grievance procedure that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Includes:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Each step in the process;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Specific timelines; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Identification of the person who should receive the grievance;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Requires documentation of receipt of the procedure in the child's individual case record; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Documents all grievances and communicates corrective actions to the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Licensing agency; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The child and the child’s parents or legal guardian, as appropriate.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The licensee shall provide the child and the child’s parents or legal guardian unimpeded access to a description of how to file a grievance, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Any formal grievance forms or other requirements for the format and content of the complaint;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Guidance for obtaining staff and other assistance in completing and filing a grievance; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Instructions regarding the identity, address, and telephone number of the individuals designated to receive and act upon grievances.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The licensee shall post the name and telephone number of the licensing agency and child protective services contact persons near every telephone that is accessible to staff and residents.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The licensee shall ensure that there is no retaliation against a child or a child’s family for filing a grievance.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The grievance procedure shall be approved by the licensing agency.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>