ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 481

Article 83C - Juvenile Services

2-127.1.

(A)     (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(2)      "STEP-DOWN AFTERCARE" MEANS A PROGRAM IN WHICH
INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES AND SUPERVISION, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL AND
REHABILITATION SERVICES AND TREATMENT, ARE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT
TO CHILDREN WHO ARE COMMITTED TO THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT AND
WHO ARE DISCHARGED FROM A RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENT TO EASE THE
TRANSITION OF THE CHILDREN FROM THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT TO THEIR
HOMES AND COMMUNITIES:

(I)      A NETWORK OF PROGRAMS PROVIDING EDUCATION AND
REHABILITATION; AND

(II)     SERVICES AND TREATMENT TO EASE THE TRANSITION OF
CHILDREN FROM THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT TO THEIR HOMES AND
COMMUNITIES.

(3)      "STEP-DOWN AFTERCARE PLAN" MEANS AN INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN
FOR EACH CHILD IN STEP-DOWN AFTERCARE THAT PROPOSES SPECIFIC
ASSISTANCE, GUIDANCE, TREATMENT, SERVICES, AND SUPERVISION.

(4)     "STEP DOWN AFTERCARE TEAM" MEANS A GROUP OF CHILD
WELFARE PROFESSIONALS EMPLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND ASSIGNED TO A
PARTICULAR CHILD IN STEP-DOWN AFTERCARE TO THAT:

(I)      PREPARE PREPARES THE CHILD FOR REENTRY INTO THE
SPECIFIC COMMUNITY TO WHICH THE CHILD WILL RETURN;

(II)     ENSURE ENSURES THE DELIVERY OF PRESCRIBED SERVICES
TO THE CHILD. IN THE COMMUNITY; AND

(III)   MONITOR MONITORS CONDUCT IN THE COMMUNITY TO
ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY.

(B)     (1) A CHILD DISCHARGED FROM A COMMITTED RESIDENTIAL
PLACEMENT SHALL RECEIVE STEP-DOWN AFTERCARE FOR A PERIOD TO BE
DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

(2) A CHILD IN STEP-DOWN AFTERCARE SHALL RECEIVE:

(I)      A STEP-DOWN AFTERCARE PLAN;

(II)     SUPERVISION BY A STEP-DOWN AFTERCARE TEAM STAFF IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE STEP-DOWN AFTERCARE PLAN;

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