Sec. 07.02.21.10. The Treatment Foster Parent

A. Treatment Foster Parent Qualifications. A treatment foster parent shall meet the following criteria:

(1) Comply with all foster family approval regulations as specified in COMAR 07.02.13;

(2) Be available to a child on a 24-hour basis;

(3) Arrange for child care services consistent with COMAR 07.02.13.07B(3) and .17B(7);

(4) Possess a high school diploma or equivalent including, but not limited to, life experience; and

(5) Have access to public or private transportation to transport a child to all necessary services identified in the individual treatment plan.

B. Treatment Foster Parent Training.

(1) Prospective treatment foster parents shall receive at least 24 hours of preservice training before their approval and placement of children in the home.

(2) Areas of training include:

(a) A history of the importance of foster parents to the child welfare program, from a historical perspective to the present team approach concept;

(b) The definition of foster care and its relationship to permanency planning;

(c) The rationale for teamwork in permanency planning;

(d) An explanation of the needs and rights of children in foster care;

(e) An explanation of the needs, rights, and responsibilities of parents of children in care;

(f) A delineation of the complementary roles of foster parents and caseworkers;

(g) A review of the grieving process;

(h) Exploration of an applicant's own feelings about separation;

(i) Recommendations for helping foster families work with the feelings and resultant behaviors that are typical of children separated from their biological parents;

(j) The development of an accepting attitude with regard to the biological parent-child relationship;

(k) A review of issues related to substance abuse; and

(l) Health and safety practices related to universal precautions.

C. In-Service Training Requirements.

(1) Treatment foster care parents shall attend 20 hours of in-service training annually.

(2) Certification of training shall be documented in the treatment parent's case record.

D. Treatment Foster Parent Responsibilities. The foster parent shall:

(1) Assist the case manager and other team members in the development of treatment plans for a child or youth in their care;

(2) Attend team meetings and training sessions;

(3) Keep a systematic record of a child's behavior and progress in targeted areas on at least a weekly, or preferably, a daily basis;

(4) Ensure a child access to medical and dental care, including accompanying the child to medical and dental appointments and carrying out treatment prescribed by health care providers;

(5) Coordinate recreational and leisure time activity;

(6) Monitor a child's school attendance and progress, and attend parental conferences and activities;

(7) Provide transportation services;

(8) Maintain a medical passport;

(9) Attend and provide information at court hearings as specified in the treatment plan; and

(10) Assist a child in maintaining contact and visitation with the child's biological family unless otherwise indicated in the child's treatment plan.