Sec. 14.31.07.11. Mother-Infant Programs

A. In addition to the requirements set out in COMAR 14.31.05 and 14.31.06, a licensee shall ensure a program that provides mother-infant services also meets the requirements of this regulation.

B. A licensee may provide care and service for children who are mothers with an infant if:

(1) The licensing agency approves the program in writing;

(2) The licensee ensures that adolescents follow the advice of a licensed physician regarding the health care of the adolescent's child;

(3) The licensee provides the mother with:

(a) Sanitary space, a table, and plumbing necessary to change diapers;

(b) Competent instruction in the care and nurturing of infants;

(c) Limits on her social activities to ensure that she is responsible for her infant;

(d) Opportunity, encouragement, and structure for the completion of her education;

(e) Encouragement to develop her capacity for and understanding of her independence;

(f) Assurance that any child care center or home where the infant may be placed during daytime hours is licensed under State law;

(g) Professional guidance, training, and counseling in human sexuality; and

(h) A bed in a room separate from where the infant sleeps after the infant is 6 months old;

(4) The licensee assures that the infant is provided with:

(a) Protection from harm;

(b) Access to health care;

(c) Proper food and nutrition;

(d) Physical warmth and nurture;

(e) Protection from disease;

(f) Physical comfort;

(g) Proper sleeping environment in an appropriate crib;

(h) Appropriate feeding schedule;

(i) Regularly changed diapers in a sanitary environment;

(j) When the infant is 6 months old, a crib in a room separate from where the mother sleeps;

(k) Pediatric care in accordance with Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment schedules; and

(l) Required immunizations;

(5) The licensee ensures that direct care workers in this program:

(a) Receive 10 hours of training specific to infant care before assuming duties in a mother-infant program as part of the training requirements of COMAR 14.31.06; and

(b) Annually receive 15 hours of training specific to the mother-infant program as part of the training requirements of COMAR 14.31.06; and

(6) The program provides the licensing agency with a written policy regarding the care of an adolescent's child by another adolescent in residence in which the following conditions are met:

(a) The adolescent assumes care of no more than one other child in addition to her own at any time;

(b) The adolescents discuss the expectations of the caregiver, including:

(i) Duration of child care;

(ii) The child's nutritional and toileting needs; and

(iii) Any arrangements for compensation or exchange of baby-sitting; and

(c) The arrangement is reviewed and approved by the program administrator or the program administrator's designee.