Section 20-101 - Definitions.
§ 20-101. Definitions.
(a) In general.- In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) Agency.-
(1) "Agency" means:
(i) The Developmental Disabilities Administration in the Department;
(ii) The Department;
(iii) The Department of Human Resources;
(iv) The Department of Juvenile Services; and
(v) The Mental Hygiene Administration in the Department.
(2) "Agency" includes the State Superintendent of Schools.
(c) Board.- "Board" means the State Board for Certification of Residential Child Care Program Professionals.
(d) Certificate.- "Certificate" means, unless the context requires otherwise, a certificate issued by the Board to practice as a program administrator or as a residential child and youth care practitioner.
(e) Certified program administrator.- "Certified program administrator" means, unless the context requires otherwise, an individual who is certified by the Board to practice as a program administrator.
(f) Certified residential child and youth care practitioner.- "Certified residential child and youth care practitioner" means, unless the context requires otherwise, an individual who is certified by the Board to practice as a residential child and youth care practitioner.
(g) Program administrator.- "Program administrator" means the individual responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of a residential child care program and for assuring the care, treatment, safety, and protection of the children in the residential child care program.
(h) Residential child and youth care practitioner.-
(1) "Residential child and youth care practitioner" means an individual assigned to perform direct responsibilities related to activities of daily living, self-help, and socialization skills in a residential child care program under the direction of a certified program administrator.
(2) "Residential child and youth care practitioner" does not include an individual assigned to perform direct responsibilities related to activities of daily living, self-help, and socialization skills in a residential child care program licensed by the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
(i) Residential child care program.-
(1) "Residential child care program" means an entity that provides for children 24-hour per day care within a structured set of services and activities that are designed to achieve specific objectives relative to the needs of the children served and that include the provision of food, clothing, shelter, education, social services, health, mental health, recreation, or any combination of these services and activities.
(2) "Residential child care program" includes a program:
(i) Licensed by:
1. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;
2. The Department of Human Resources; or
3. The Department of Juvenile Services; and
(ii) That is subject to the licensing regulations of the Governor's Office for Children governing the operations of residential child care programs.
[2004, ch. 438, § 2; 2008, ch. 36, §§ 1, 6; ch. 218.]