Sec. 07.02.15.02. Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Abuse" means the sustaining of any physical injury by a vulnerable adult as a result of cruel or inhumane treatment or as a result of a malicious act by any person.

(2) "Administration" means the Social Services Administration of the Department of Human Services.

(3) "Adult" means a person who is 18 years old or older who does not have a minor child living with and dependent on the person.

(4) "Adult Foster Care" means a program that provides a family setting in the community for an aged adult or an adult with disabilities who requires:

(a) Protective oversight;

(b) Assistance with the activities of daily living; and

(c) Room and board.

(5) "Adult's representative" means a person authorized by the adult to act on the adult's behalf, or the adult's court-appointed guardian.

(6) "Aged adult" means an adult who is 65 years old or older and that adult's spouse.

(7) "Case management" means services provided to an adult which include:

(a) A comprehensive assessment of the adult's strengths, needs, risk level, and resources;

(b) Development of a comprehensive service plan designed to address the adult's risk level and need;

(c) Referral to and linkage with appropriate resources both within the local department and in the broader community;

(d) Provision of direct services to the adult, if called for in the service plan;

(e) Advocacy with and on behalf of the adult to obtain, access, and secure available resources and to develop additional resources when necessary; and

(f) Monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of formal and informal resources used in meeting the adult's needs and ongoing assessment of whether a need for continuing services exists.

(8) "Certified Adult Residential Environment (CARE) Home" means a certified adult residential protective living environment home that provides case management services to adults with disabilities 18 years old or older, who cannot live alone primarily due to mental or physical health impairments and need assistance with activities of daily living.

(9) "Client" means an adult who is eligible for and is receiving services from the SSTA program.

(10) "Crisis intervention" means case management on an intensive basis with the goal of restabilizing the adult's life situation.

(11) "Exploitation" means any action which involves the misuse of a vulnerable adult's funds, property, or person.

(12) “Formal Resources” means professionals and/or agencies that provide services or treatment to the client.

(13) "Home Delivered Meal Service" means the preparation and delivery of meals to the homes of eligible persons to prevent institutionalization, malnutrition, and feelings of isolation. This may include personnel, equipment, supplies, and food costs.

(14) “Informal Resources” includes but is not limited to family members, neighbors, volunteers, faith-based groups and other community members who are involved with the client as a support.

(15) "Information and referral" means the brief process which includes:

(a) Receipt of an inquiry about or request for information or service;

(b) Provision of information; or

(c) Identification of and referral to an appropriate available resource, including providing instructions regarding the application and eligibility requirements of the resource.

(16) "In-Home Aide Services" means services provided to an adult with a functional disability in need of assistance with activities of daily living.

(17) "Liquid assets" means any real or personal property, possession, or valuable the adult owns individually or jointly, which can be converted to cash for support and maintenance.

(18) "Local department" means the Department of Social Services or its designee in one of the 24 Maryland jurisdictions including Baltimore City and the Baltimore and Montgomery counties Departments of Health and Human Services.

(19) Neglect.

(a) "Neglect" means the willful deprivation of a vulnerable adult of adequate food, clothing, essential medical treatment or habilitative therapy, shelter, or supervision.

(b) "Neglect" does not include the providing of nonmedical remedial care and treatment for the healing of injury or disease, with the consent of the vulnerable adult, recognized by State law instead of medical treatment that the vulnerable adult receives voluntarily.

(20) "Non-aged adult" means an adult who is 18 years old, but not yet 65 years old or older.

(21) "Program" means the Social Services to Adults program.

(22) "Self-neglect" means the inability of a vulnerable adult to perform activities of daily living or to provide the vulnerable adult with the services:

(a) That are necessary for the vulnerable adult's physical and mental health; and

(b) The absence of which impairs or threatens the vulnerable adult's well-being.

(23) "Service plan" means the written plan developed with the adult or the adult's representative which describes the goal of service, the specific services to be provided, and the method for providing the services, and which includes at least the following:

(a) Lists of the adult's service needs as perceived by the adult or the adult's representatives as well as by the SSTA worker;

(b) An assessment of the adult's strengths, needs, risk level and resources as these affect service needs;

(c) A plan for meeting the adult's needs, including consideration of the roles to be played by:

(i) The adult;

(ii) The adult's family;

(iii) The adult's friends;

(iv) Community resources; and

(v) Local department resources;

(d) Specification of the tasks to be carried out by:

(i) The adult;

(ii) The adult's family or friends;

(iii) Local department staff, including the SSTA worker; and

(iv) Other agencies and resources;

(e) Specification of the service plan period during which the plan will be in effect;

(f) Specification of the expected frequency of contact between the SSTA worker and the adult;

(g) The schedule for redetermination of eligibility and reassessment of services; and

(h) At the time of reassessment, an evaluation of the appropriateness, the effectiveness, and the efficiency of service that have been received by the adult.

(24) "Vulnerable adult" means an adult who lacks the physical or mental capacity to provide for the adult's daily needs.