|
HARRY HUGHES, Governor
1251
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:
Article 88A - Social Services Administration
SERVICES TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
121.
(A) IT IS THE POLICY OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND TO
PROMOTE FAMILY STABILITY, TO PRESERVE FAMILY UNITY, AND TO
HELP FAMILIES ACHIEVE OR MAINTAIN SELF-RELIANCE BY
RESPONDING TO FINANCIAL AND FAMILY CRISIS THROUGH THE DIRECT
PROVISION OF FAMILY COUNSELING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND
BY REFERRAL TO APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
(B) FURTHER, THE STATE HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO
PROVIDE SERVICES WHICH PREVENT THE KIND OF FAMILY
DISSOLUTION AND BREAKDOWN WHICH REQUIRES PROTECTIVE SERVICES
OR OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENTS.
(C) TO IMPLEMENT THESE POLICIES THE SECRETARY OF
HUMAN RESOURCES SHALL ESTABLISH A PROGRAM OF SERVICES TO
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN ALL LOCAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL
SERVICES WHICH SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE FAMILIES
RECEIVING AID TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN (AFDC),
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) OR TO THOSE FAMILIES
WHOSE GROSS INCOME IS NO MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF THE STATE'S
MEDIAN INCOME, ADJUSTED FOR FAMILY SIZE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
REGULATIONS TO BE ADOPTED BY THE SOCIAL. SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION.
122.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE, SERVICES TO FAMILIES
WITH CHILDREN ARE:
(1) FUNCTIONAL SERVICES TO ASSIST A FAMILY
RESOLVE A SITUATIONAL CRISIS BROUGHT ON BY CATASTROPHE,
DEPRIVATION OF INCOME, LACK OF SHELTER, PHYSICAL OR MENTAL
ILLNESS, DEATH, DESERTION OR ABANDONMENT;
(3) (2) FAMILY COUNSELING TO RESOLVE MARITAL
CONFLICT, INTERFAMILIAL CONFLICT, PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP
PROBLEMS, AND TO TEACH CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT AND
PA8ENTING SKILLS;
(4) (3) INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO
TEACH FAMILIES HOW TO LOCATE AND UTILIZE COMMUNITY SERVICES,
INCLUDING HEALTH CARE SERVICES; AND
(5) (4) HOME MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO TEACH THE
MANAGEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES,
INCLUDING BUDGETING SKILLS.
|
