Md. Code Regs. 07.02.25.15

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 07.02.25.15 - Annual Reconsideration

A. A local department shall:

(1) Conduct an annual reconsideration of each resource home which includes at least one home visit, to determine continuing compliance with the resource home regulations;

(2) Complete the review and decide whether to reapprove the resource home before the anniversary of the date of approval;

(3) Complete a review whenever there are major changes in the lives of the resource parents that could affect their ability to care for foster children, and that may include:

(a) Illness or death of a member of the resource family;

(b) Marital problems,

(c) Change in employment status of resource parents;

(d) Move to a new residence,

(e) Suspected abuse or neglect in the home, or both, or

(f) Change in marital status of resource parents such as separation, divorce, or remarriage;

(4) Require, when applicable:

(a) An Application to be Resource Parents form to be signed by the new resource parents;

(b) A criminal background check and child protective service clearance to be made for the new resource parent(s) if a remarriage occurs;

(c) The Resource Parent Agreement form to be signed by the new resource parent,

(d) A medical examination to be required of the new resource parent;

(5) Conduct an interview to discuss implications for the family when a resource parent requests to change the type of child care the resource parent wishes to give, for example, from emergency care to regular foster care;

(6) Conduct a review of the resource home record and interview the caseworker for each child placed in the home in preparation for the reconsideration;

(7) Conduct a discussion with the resource parents regarding the following when completing the annual reconsideration:

(a) Composition of the resource family,

(b) Identification of foster children that are currently in the home,

(c) Sleeping arrangements, and

(d) Determination as to whether a new environmental health inspection is needed due to relocation or structural changes;

(8) Prepare a formal medical report on a resource family at the initial reconsideration and every 2 years after that, or when there is an indication of serious health problems in the resource family.

B. A resource home worker shall:

(1) Verify the income of the resource family;

(2) Discuss the relationship of the resource parents with each other, with their own children, and with the foster children;

(3) Discuss satisfactions and difficulties of resource parenting;

(4) Discuss the family pattern of social and recreational activities, chores, and household duties;

(5) Discuss methods of discipline;

(6) Discuss the resource parents' patterns for handling situations relative to the foster child's contacts with the child's birth family;

(7) Discuss and review an alternate child care plan in accordance with Regulation .05C of this chapter when the resource parent is out of the home;

(8) Discuss the pattern of caring for educational and health needs of foster children;

(9) Include comments by a child's local department of social services worker;

(10) Identify strengths and weaknesses of the resource parents in terms of their role as permanency planning team members;

(11) Identify necessary or desirable change in age, sex, or number of children to be placed in the home;

(12) Discuss the decision regarding continued use of the home if there is a present or imminent situation that may alter the original decision regarding the use of the home;

(13) Review permanency plans for children in the home;

(14) Complete the annual reconsideration in writing, and verbally share this information with the resource parents within 30 days of the anniversary of the approval date; and

(15) Discuss child support arrears with the resource family as described in Regulation .04F of this chapter.

Md. Code Regs. 07.02.25.15