Sec. 14.31.05.06. Monitoring and Evaluation of Programs

A. Monitoring Activities.

(1) For monitoring purposes, the licensing agency may require the licensee to make its records, personnel, residents, and facilities available on an announced or unannounced basis:

(a) At any time, if the agency's visit concerns a matter regarding the health, safety, or proper care of the program's residents; or

(b) At a reasonable time during the program's business hours, if the visit concerns other matters.

(2) Monitoring activities may include:

(a) Reviews of financial, personnel, and child records;

(b) Interviews with staff individuals;

(c) Interviews with children in care;

(d) Site inspections of the physical plant;

(e) On-site observations of the agency's program operations; and

(f) Any other information gathering pertinent to State law or this chapter.

(3) The licensing agency shall monitor each program to evaluate its facilities, policies, and operations:

(a) Before the issuance or renewal of a license;

(b) At the time of the mid-license period report; and

(c) Before the suspension or revocation of a license.

B. Response to Complaints.

(1) The licensing agency shall initiate a response to complaints from any source about the licensee within 24 hours.

(2) In responding to a complaint, the licensing agency may require the licensee to:

(a) Make the program available for agency inspection as provided in §A of this regulation;

(b) Provide a written response to the complaint from the licensee; or

(c) Complete any additional appropriate procedure deemed necessary by the agency to ensure the safety and welfare of the program's residents.

C. Mid-License Period Evaluation. The licensing agency shall complete a mid-license period evaluation of each program as follows:

(1) The licensing agency shall send notification to the licensee 60 days before the end of the first year of the license period that:

(a) The program shall submit to the licensing agency a mid-license period report on or before the anniversary of the license issuance date;

(b) The mid-license period report shall include:

(i) A list of governing board members and officers;

(ii) The program's audit or audit review for the current year;

(iii) An operations budget for the current year; and

(iv) The licensee's current quality assurance plan; and

(2) The licensing agency shall conduct a mid-license period review, including:

(a) Review of board minutes, personnel records, and children's records; and

(b) On-site inspection of the program.

D. Child Safety Concerns. If, at any time during the course of monitoring a program, the licensing agency's monitor has reason to believe that a child residing in a program has been subject to abuse or neglect, the monitor shall report that concern in accordance with Family Law Article, §§5-704 and 5-705, Annotated Code of Maryland.