Regulation .11 Mother-Infant Programs.
Regulation .11 Mother-Infant Programs.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In addition to the requirements set out in COMAR 14.31.05 and 14.31.06, a licensee shall ensure a program that provides mother-infant services also meets the requirements of this regulation.
B.
A licensee may provide care and service for children who are mothers with an infant if:
(1)
The licensing agency approves the program in writing;
(2)
The licensee ensures that adolescents follow the advice of a licensed physician regarding the health care of the adolescent's child;
(3)
The licensee provides the mother with:
(a)
Sanitary space, a table, and plumbing necessary to change diapers;
(b)
Competent instruction in the care and nurturing of infants;
(c)
Limits on her social activities to ensure that she is responsible for her infant;
(d)
Opportunity, encouragement, and structure for the completion of her education;
(e)
Encouragement to develop her capacity for and understanding of her independence;
(f)
Assurance that any child care center or home where the infant may be placed during daytime hours is licensed under State law;
(g)
Professional guidance, training, and counseling in human sexuality; and
(h)
A bed in a room separate from where the infant sleeps after the infant is 6 months old;
(4)
The licensee assures that the infant is provided with:
(a)
Protection from harm;
(b)
Access to health care;
(c)
Proper food and nutrition;
(d)
Physical warmth and nurture;
(e)
Protection from disease;
(f)
Physical comfort;
(g)
Proper sleeping environment in an appropriate crib;
(h)
Appropriate feeding schedule;
(i)
Regularly changed diapers in a sanitary environment;
(j)
When the infant is 6 months old, a crib in a room separate from where the mother sleeps;
(k)
Pediatric care in accordance with Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment schedules; and
(l)
Required immunizations;
(5)
The licensee ensures that direct care workers in this program:
(a)
Receive 10 hours of training specific to infant care before assuming duties in a mother-infant program as part of the training requirements of COMAR 14.31.06; and
(b)
Annually receive 15 hours of training specific to the mother-infant program as part of the training requirements of COMAR 14.31.06; and
(6)
The program provides the licensing agency with a written policy regarding the care of an adolescent's child by another adolescent in residence in which the following conditions are met:
(a)
The adolescent assumes care of no more than one other child in addition to her own at any time;
(b)
The adolescents discuss the expectations of the caregiver, including:
(i)
Duration of child care;
(ii)
The child's nutritional and toileting needs; and
(iii)
Any arrangements for compensation or exchange of baby-sitting; and
(c)
The arrangement is reviewed and approved by the program administrator or the program administrator's designee.