with the Governor's approval (Code 1957, Art
88A,sec 1A)
Four offices are part of the Administration
Administrative Services, Policy Administration,
Program Innovation, and Quality Assurance

OFFICF OF POLICY ADMINISTRATION
Kathenne L Cook, Director
(410) 767 7055

The Office of Policy Administration was formed
as the Office of Policy Development in 1992 and
received its present name in 1993 The Office is
responsible for the CARES Long-Term Care Unit,
Disability Management Operations, the Welfare
Reform Office, and three divisions Policy and
Regulations, Program and Systems Support, and
Training and Staff Development

DISABILITY MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS
David F Baker, Manager
(410) 767 8910

Begun in 1987, Disability Management Opera
tions helps disabled recipients apply for federal
Medicaid, Social Security and Supplemental Secu
rity Income benefits through the Disability Entitle-
ment Advocacy Program The Program assists with
documentation and acts as advocate for persons
with disabilities at entitlement and appeal hearings

DIVISION OF POLICY & REGULATIONS
Beth H Boyd, Manager
(410) 767 7925

The Division of Policy and Regulations started
as the Division of Policy It received its present
name in 1996
The Division develops policy and procedures
from federal and State regulations for the Food
Stamps Program and other public assistance The
Division also forms operational policy for the Medi
cal Assistance Program

DIVISION OF PROGRAM & SYSTEMS SUPPORT
Ruth A Waugh, Manager
(410) 767 7926

The Division of Program and Systems Support
began as the Division of CARES User Support It
received its present name in 1996
The Division deploys staff to local departments
of social services to help them convert to the Client
Automated Resource and Eligibility System
(CARES) The System was developed to reduce
paperwork, standardize office operations, and ap
ply policies and regulations uniformly statewide
For assistance programs, CARES determines client
eligibility, issues benefits, produces client notices
and management reports, and alerts local depart
ments of social services to which cases need atten-

tion The Division also works with the Office of
Information Management to modify and improve
the System

WELFARE REFORM OFFICE

Joyce B Underwood, Program Manager
George M Van Hook, Program Supervisor
(410) 767 7298

The Welfare Reform Office began in January
1993 as the Primary Prevention Initiative Program,
a five year demonstration project The Program was
reorganized as the Welfare Reform Office in 1996

The Office tests the impact of sanctions and
incentives on the behavior of welfare recipients To
prevent long term dependence on public assis-
tance, the Office encourages welfare recipients to
take responsibility for their children's school atten
dance and health care The Office requires parents
to secure health care for their children from birth
to age 6 School age children must attend school
at least 80 percent of the time For each child not
in compliance, monies are deducted from the fam
ily's monthly benefit check Support services, such
as counseling and seminars, are available to assist
parents Also, bonuses may be earned for prenatal
health care of pregnant women or for preventive
health care of children over age 6

OFFICE OF PROGRAM INNOVATION
Richard E Larson, Director
(410) 767 7150

The Office of Program Innovation originated in
1980 as the Office of Program Support and was
reorganized in 1992 under its present name The
Office is a resource for data and analysis in the
reform of federal and State public assistance The
Office also oversees the Maryland Welfare Policy
Institute Consortium through which Morgan State
University, the University of Maryland at Balti
more, and the University of Baltimore provide
technical and research expertise to the Department

OFFICE OF QUALITY ASSURANCF
Stephen M Marz, Director
(410) 767 7974

The Office of Quality Assurance started as the
Office of Field Operations and was reorganized
under its current name in 1992 The Office moni-
tors local departments of social services to ensure
compliance with State and federal regulations for
programs of the Family Investment Administration
The Office also serves as a liaison between the local
departments and State agencies