<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 16.17.05.04" title_num="16" subtitle_num="17" chapter_num="05" heading="Program Requirements for Certification.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In order to meet organizational and administrative requirements, each program shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Provide a program description that defines the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Population to be served,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Services to be provided,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Goals and desired outcomes for participating youth, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Methods and techniques to be used in order to accomplish the desired outcomes;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Provide an organizational chart and a narrative describing the interrelatedness of all staff;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Provide job descriptions for all positions which indicate the required level of education and experience for each;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Maintain accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and COMAR 16.04.02 in sufficient detail so that expenditures pertaining to the operation of the program are readily identifiable;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Secure insurance coverage for potential liabilities commensurate with the services provided; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Establish a grievance procedure approved by the Department for youth in the program.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>In order to meet staff requirements, each program shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Provide a sufficient number of appropriately trained staff to fulfill the service design of the program;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Provide a personnel file for each staff member in the program which includes the following documentation:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Identifying information,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Verification of criminal background checks,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Verification that educational and experiential requirements for the position were met,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Indication of reference checks,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Verification of an initial and subsequent annual physical examination, including a TB test, which indicates that the employee is in good physical health,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Record of orientation and training,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Verification of a driver's license and insurance, when applicable,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Annual evaluation, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Employee termination summary; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Provide a plan for the use of volunteers, including student interns, which addresses:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Selection,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Orientation,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Supervision, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Criminal background checks, when applicable.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>In order to meet service delivery requirements, each program shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Provide intake procedures;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Provide orientation to all youth entering the program and, as appropriate, the youths' families;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Provide a termination procedure for youth;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Develop a service or treatment plan for each youth in the program which includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Involvement of the youth, the youth's family and, when appropriate, the Department in the planning process,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Individual goals,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Expected time to accomplish the goals,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Assigned responsibilities for accomplishing the goals,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Outcome measures, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Regular review of the plan;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Maintain for each youth a record which is kept in a secure and confidential manner with limited access and is kept current, complete, and accurate;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Maintain sufficient record keeping to document all activities performed by the program;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Ensure provision of a program designed to meet the social, emotional, and physical needs of the youth; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Ensure that children of mandatory school attendance age who have not earned a secondary school diploma or certificate of completion and children who are eligible for special education services are provided with an educational program through the local educational agency or at the program, if the program's school holds a certificate of approval issued by the State Board of Education to operate a nonpublic education program.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The program site shall meet applicable health and fire safety requirements and be appropriate and conducive to the activities and services to be conducted there.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>In order to meet the reporting requirements, each program shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Adhere to the requirement for reporting all cases of suspected child abuse or neglect;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Follow the Department's policy for reporting critical and emergency incidents involving staff or youth in the program;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Report to the Department client demographic information regarding service delivery and the number of youth served as required by the Department; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Notify the Department of any condition or circumstance that may affect the program's compliance with these regulations.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>