Md. Code Regs. 07.02.09.04

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 26, December 27, 2024

Section 07.02.09.04 - Child Care and Education in Kinship Resource Homes

A. Kinship Caregivers Who Provide Child Care.

(1) If a kinship caregiver provides informal child care for children not living in the home, the local department shall assess the impact that this may have on the kinship caregiver's ability to provide for the physical, medical, mental health and educational needs of the child in care.

(2) The local department shall inform kinship caregivers licensed by the Maryland Office of Child Care of the need to notify the Maryland Office of Child Care of their intent to be licensed kinship caregivers.

B. Plans for Child Care and Alternative Supervision.

(1) If a kinship caregiver requires child care services for a child in care while the kinship caregiver is employed or in school:

(a) The kinship caregiver shall discuss the child care plan with the local department and obtain local department approval for the plan; and

(b) The child care provider shall be certified by the Maryland State Department of Education Office of Child Care or approved by another agency that provides child care services consistent with the licensing standards of the Maryland Department of Education Office of Child Care, unless the local department approves a plan for informal child care.

(2) Nothing in this section precludes a kinship caregiver from arranging appropriate child care on an occasional basis for a child in care.

C. Education.

(1) Homeschooling. Kinship caregivers:

(a) May not homeschool children in care without court approval;

(b) Shall utilize a homeschool program approved by Maryland State Department of Education; and

(c) Shall provide homeschool progress reports at a frequency established by the local department or the court.

(2) Private or Parochial Schooling.

(a) A kinship caregiver shall get approval from the local department or the child in care's parents or guardians before enrolling a child in care in a private or parochial school unless otherwise ordered by the court.

(b) If a local department, the court, or the child in care's parents or guardians approve a child in care's enrollment in a private or parochial school, the local department:

(i) May not pay any costs for tuition, books, or any other costs associated with a child in care enrolled in an accredited private or parochial school; and

(ii) May not supplement the monthly care stipend to pay these costs.

(3) Enrollment. When a child who comes into care is already enrolled in an accredited private or parochial school, the kinship caregiver shall enroll the child in a public school unless the kinship caregiver, with the permission of the local department, the court, or the child's parents or guardians, assumes financial responsibility for the child's continued enrollment in the private or parochial school or the parents or guardians continue to financially provide for the education.

Md. Code Regs. 07.02.09.04

Regulation .04 adopted effective 51:24 Md. R. 1081, eff. 12/12/2024.