<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 16.17.01.04" title_num="16" subtitle_num="17" chapter_num="01" heading="Monitoring and Evaluation.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Eligibility for State Funding. In order to be eligible for funding from the State, a bureau shall meet the requirements set out in this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Bureau Requirements. Each bureau shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Have a valid organizational structure, including a board of directors or an advisory board;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Follow sound personnel practices and maintain complete personnel files that include for each bureau staff member:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A job description,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A completed criminal background check,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Evidence of the staff person's educational credentials and experience, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Annual staff evaluations;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Provide insurance coverage, as appropriate for the services provided;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Establish and maintain such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to assure prudent use, proper disbursement, and accurate accounting of funds;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Meet the program requirements set out in Regulation .03 of this chapter, the information reporting and confidentiality requirements set out in Regulation .05 of this chapter, and, if the bureau charges its clients a fee for services, the fee requirements set out in Regulation .06 of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Conduct criminal background checks for all employees and, as required by Department policy, volunteers;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Comply with the Department policy on reporting critical incident reports; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Submit to the Department an annual budget at the time the Department specifies.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Monitoring Generally. The Department may monitor the bureau by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Conducting scheduled and unscheduled site visits;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Attending bureau board of directors or advisory board meetings;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Inspecting bureau fiscal, client case, and staff and volunteer files;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Reviewing bureau policies and procedures; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Meeting with and interviewing bureau staff, volunteers, and clients.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Compliance and Effectiveness Reports.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department shall issue reports which:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Determine the bureau's compliance or noncompliance with the bureau requirements; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Evaluate annually the bureau's effectiveness.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Department shall provide the bureau with a copy of the compliance and effectiveness reports.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If a compliance or effectiveness report indicates that the bureau's performance does not comply with the statute or these regulations, or that the bureau is ineffective, the bureau shall within 15 days of receipt of the report:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>File with the Department a plan of corrective action which addresses the concerns raised by the report and provides a timetable for compliance; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>File with the Secretary or the Secretary's designee a protest of the report or reports, providing in the protest a detailed explanation of why the report of noncompliance or ineffectiveness is unsubstantiated.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If a bureau is determined to be ineffective or if a bureau fails to meet these eligibility guidelines for 2 years, the Department shall stop funding the bureau.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Nonexclusivity. This regulation does not limit the ability of any State or local government or agency that provides funds to a bureau from reviewing the bureau's program for compliance with the terms of the bureau's grant or contract with the State or local government or agency, and from taking any appropriate action.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>