Md. Code Regs. 07.05.02.08 - Mother-Infant Foster Care

A. A certified foster parent may provide care for foster children who are mothers with infants if the agency approves the foster parent in writing for mother-infant foster care.

B. The mother-infant foster parent shall meet all requirements of Regulations .04-.07 and .09-.12 of this chapter, and, in addition, provide:

(1) The new mother with:

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

(b) Competent instruction in the care and nurturing of her infant,

(c) Limits on her social activities to assure 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) Access to health care for herself,

(g) Reasonable flexibility in providing alternate care for her infant,

(h) Guidance in human sexuality, and

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

(2) The infant with:

(a) Protection from physical harm,

(b) Removal from emotional pain,

(c) Access to health care,

(d) Proper food and nutrition,

(e) Physical warmth and nurture,

(f) Protection from disease,

(g) Physical comfort,

(h) A proper sleeping environment in an appropriate crib,

(i) An appropriate feeding schedule,

(j) Regularly changed diapers in a sanitary environment, and

(k) When the infant is 6 months old, a crib or appropriate bed in a room separate from where the mother sleeps.

C. The individual certified as a mother-infant foster parent shall:

(1) Before the certified foster parent provides mother-infant foster care, receive:

(a) 20 hours of general training described in Regulation .12C of this chapter, and

(b) An additional 4 hours of training addressing foster care services provided to a mother who is a foster child;

(2) Annually receive:

(a) 2 hours of training which deals specifically with mother-infant foster care, and

(b) 6 hours of training described in Regulation .12D of this chapter; and

(3) Be interested in providing young mothers with structure and guidance.

Notes

Md. Code Regs. 07.05.02.08