1. A. An applicant shall complete 20 hours of training provided by the agency before the agency certifies the applicant as a foster parent.
2. B. The agency shall document the applicant's attendance and understanding of material.

3. C. The training shall include the following:

   1. (1) Role and relationships in foster care between agency, foster parent, parents, and the child;
   2. (2) Separation anxiety and the importance of the child's parents and siblings;
   3. (3) Developmental needs of children in care;
   4. (4) Care of children who have special needs;
   5. (5) Cultural and religious awareness and differences;
   6. (6) Child management and discipline techniques;
   7. (7) Child abuse and neglect;
   8. (8) The availability of supportive services in the community for the children and foster families;
   9. (9) Self-awareness;
   10. (10) Communication skills;
   11. (11) Problem solving;
   12. (12) First aid and home safety;
   13. (13) Human sexuality;
   14. (14) Foster care as preparation for adoption;
   15. (15) The need for adoption;
   16. (16) Adoption responsibilities;
   17. (17) The function of the Citizens' Review Board for Children (CRBC) and other case review processes described in COMAR 07.01.06 and the foster parent's role in these processes;
   18. (18) The legal, technical, procedural, financial, medical, liability, and educational aspects of child placement;
   19. (19) The nature and purpose of agency documents, including the permanent placement case plans and the service agreement; and
   20. (20) Requirements for certified foster parents as described in Regulations .04—.11 of this chapter and agency policy.

4. D. Continuing Training.

   1. (1) Continuing training of foster parents shall include a minimum of 6 hours per year.
   2. (2) The training shall concentrate on the topics listed in §C of this regulation and additional foster care topics as needed.

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

Regulation .09C amended effective September 30, 2013 (40:19 Md. R. 1543)

Regulation .13A amended effective September 30, 2013 (40:19 Md. R. 1543); February 2, 2026 (53:2 Md. R. 61)

Regulation .14A amended effective September 30, 2013 (40:19 Md. R. 1543)

Regulation .15A, D amended effective September 30, 2013 (40:19 Md. R. 1543)

Regulation .17B amended effective September 30, 2013 (40:19 Md. R. 1543)