1. A. Contractual Services.

   1. (1) An individual employed by the agency who is not a full-time employee shall be bound by the provisions of a contract with the agency to provide specific, ethical, consistent, and appropriate services.

   2. (2) A contractual employee shall:

      1. (a) Be approved by the chief administrator;
      2. (b) Be supervised by appropriate agency staff;
      3. (c) Be identified to the public as an employee of the agency when providing contractual services for the agency;
      4. (d) Adhere to agency policies;
      5. (e) Receive orientation and continued training as necessary;
      6. (f) Comply with all agency confidentiality requirements;
      7. (g) Be subject to all requirements in Regulations .09 and .13 of this chapter; and
      8. (h) Be included in the list of employees provided to OLM before the agency’s license is renewed.

2. B. Professional Services.

   1. (1) The agency shall, with the concurrence and support of a child's parent or legal custodian, obtain or document the attempt to obtain professional services that are not available within the agency as required by the child's individual case plan.

   2. (2) The agency shall ensure that any professional providing a direct service to a child in care:

      1. (a) Communicates with agency staff regarding the services provided; and
      2. (b) Be made aware of the relevant aspects of the child's case plan.

   3. (3) The agency shall document that all professionals providing services to the agency, whether working directly with children in care or providing consultation to employees of the agency:

      1. (a) Are qualified, and certified or licensed as appropriate to the Profession; and
      2. (b) Have met the requirements of Regulation .09 of this chapter.

3. C. Volunteers. An agency may use volunteers, including students for field placements or internships, to perform tasks and duties in the agency and shall:

   1. (1) Develop a written plan for the use of volunteers that includes:

      1. (a) A description of duties and responsibilities for volunteers;
      2. (b) Designation of an employee who will be supervising volunteers;
      3. (c) The orientation and continued training program for volunteers that will familiarize them with personnel policies and confidentiality requirements of the agency; and
      4. (d) The method and frequency with which the agency will evaluate its volunteers;
   2. (2) Require personal references, criminal background checks, and health checks as required in Regulation .09 of this chapter;
   3. (3) Ensure that volunteers are not assigned to fill a staff position required by the agency’s service program plan;
   4. (4) Keep records on the hours and activities of regular volunteers; and;
   5. (5) Provide each volunteer with a copy of the program plan for volunteers described in §C(1) of this regulation.

4. D. Student Services. An agency that accepts students for field placements or internships shall:

   1. (1) Have a written agreement with the student’s school that includes:

      1. (a) An outline of the tasks and functions expected of the student and the school;
      2. (b) The requirement that the student meet the requirements of Regulation .09 of this chapter;
      3. (c) Designation of a qualified employee to supervise and evaluate the student, and serve as liaison with the student’s school;
      4. (d) A plan for orientation and training of the student in the philosophy of the agency, needs of the children in care and their families, and confidentiality requirements; and
      5. (e) The assurance that the student will not be assigned to fill a staff position; and
   2. (2) Provide an opportunity for the student to participate in developing and implementing case plans for the children and families with whom the student works directly.

Authority: Human Services Article, §2-209 Annotated Code of Maryland
Agency Note: Federal Regulatory Reference: 42 U.S.C. §621 et seq.; 45 CFR 1355—1357

Effective date: January 12, 2001 (27:26 Md. R. 2357)

Regulation .14C amended as an emergency action effective July 1, 2023 (50:15 Md. R. 679); emergency status expired December 28, 2023

Chapter revised effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 321)

Regulation .02B amended effective February 2, 2026 (53:2 Md. R. 61)

Regulation .09 amended effective February 2, 2026 (53:2 Md. R. 61)

Regulation .14A amended effective February 2, 2026 (53:2 Md. R. 61)

Regulation .17 amended effective February 2, 2026 (53:2 Md. R. 61)