ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 536

ADMINISTRATION, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUVENILE SERVICES, AND THE OFFICE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES.

(3)      "LEAD AGENCY' MEANS THE OFFICE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND
FAMILIES.

(4)     (I) "OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT" MEANS:

1.       THE REMOVAL OF A CHILD FROM THE CHILD'S FAMILY;
AND

2.       THE PLACEMENT OF THE CHILD BY AN AUTHORIZED
AGENCY OR COURT IN A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE FACILITY OR WITH OTHER PERSONS
WHO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAILY CARE, SUPERVISION, TREATMENT,
AND EDUCATION OF THE CHILD.

(II)     "OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT" INCLUDES FOSTER CARE,
RESIDENTIAL GROUP CARE, RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CARE, A RESIDENTIAL
EDUCATIONAL FACILITY, AND A PRIVATE THERAPEUTIC GROUP HOME LICENSED BY
THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES OR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE
SERVICES.

(III)   "OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT" DOES NOT INCLUDE KINSHIP
CARE.

(5) "SYSTEM FOR OUTCOMES EVALUATION" MEANS AN OBJECTIVE, AND
STANDARDIZED, AND UNIFORM METHOD OF MEASURING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
PROGRAMS SERVING THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT.

(B) (1) THE LEAD AGENCY AND THE COOPERATING DEPARTMENTS SHALL
DEVELOP A SYSTEM FOR OUTCOMES EVALUATION.

(2) THE LEAD AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING THE
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DETERMINING THE COST OF TESTING AND
IMPLEMENTING THE SYSTEM FOR OUTCOMES EVALUATION.

(3) (2) THE SYSTEM FOR OUTCOMES EVALUATION SHALL BE
DEVELOPED PLANNED TO ALLOW THE STATE TO:

(I)      MONITOR THE CARE, SUPERVISION, EDUCATION, AND
TREATMENT IN STATE-OPERATED AND STATE-SUPPORTED PROGRAMS SO THAT
SUCCESSFUL SERVICES TO CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT CAN BE
EXPANDED AND SERVICES THAT DO NOT PRODUCE POSITIVE RESULTS CAN BE
IDENTIFIED;

(II)     EVALUATE THE OUTCOMES OF THE CHILDREN AT 6-MONTH
AND 12-MONTH INTERVALS FOLLOWING DISCHARGE FROM OUT OF HOME
PLACEMENT TO DETERMINE WHICH SERVICES BEST ENABLED THE CHILDREN TO
MAINTAIN HEALTHY FUNCTIONING IN THEIR COMMUNITY; AND ASSESS THE
CAPACITY OF RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE PROGRAMS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A
CHILD REQUIRING OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT IN THE CHILD'S COMMUNITY;

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