Sec. 07.05.02.02. Definitions

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

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Child placement worker" means an individual licensed in Maryland as a social worker and employed by a licensed child placement agency to:

(a) Perform intake services;

(b) Provide casework, group work, or community organization services;

(c) Plan and coordinate the services and resources affecting children and their birth parents before, during, and after the time the child is in foster care; and

(d) Conduct foster home studies.

(2) Foster Care.

(a) "Foster care" means continuous 24-hour care and support services provided for a minor child by an individual or individuals certified by a licensed child placement agency as foster parents.

(b) "Foster care" includes:

(i) Services to the child's parent or legal guardian, siblings, and relatives to achieve a safe, permanent placement for the child;

(ii) Services to the foster parent and supervision of the child in the foster care placement to assure that the placement promotes the child's physical, emotional, and intellectual growth and well-being; and

(iii) Post-placement services to the child and the child's caregiver to prevent placement disruption or reentry into foster care placement.

(3) "Foster parent" means an individual certified by a licensed child placement agency to provide 24-hour care for a foster child in the home where the individual resides.

(4) "Infant" means a child younger than 24 months old.

(5) "Least restrictive setting" means the setting most consistent with the best interests and special needs of the child.

(6) "Long-term care" means care provided for a child for whom:

(a) A local department holds commitment or guardianship; and

(b) The court determined that, even though reasonable efforts were made to effect reunification, relative placement, or adoption, none of these options is possible for reasons such as:

(i) After being counseled, the child who is 10 years old or older refuses to be adopted, and there is no caregiver willing to become the permanent resource for the child, or

(ii) The child's special needs are satisfied in an institutional setting and a change in placement would be detrimental to the child.

(7) "Staffing" means a meeting with caregivers, child placement workers, or other involved service providers to discuss a particular case and agree on methods for achieving case plan goals.

(8) "Treatment foster care" means a 24-hour substitute care program, operated by a licensed child placement agency or local department of social services, for children with a serious emotional, behavioral, medical, or psychological condition as described in COMAR 07.02.21.