Single Point of Entry

Are you looking for more information about opening a residential child care facility in Maryland?  Please note that the process has changed. The Governor’s Office for Children no longer accepts applications for consideration.

For basic information:

Those interested in opening a residential child care facility should view the brief presentation below, which covers:

• The basic process of seeking a license, rate, and contract from the State.
• Basic expectations of new applicants.
• The decreasing need for new providers and how to determine need for your program.
• Which COMAR sections may relate to your program and where to access the regulations.
• Other useful resources as you begin the process.

What types of programs are being licensed?

The Departments of Human Services and Juvenile Services will only license a new program if they have issued a Statement of Need. Most recently, Statements of Need have been infrequently issued. When and if these agencies issue a Statement of Need, it will be published in the Maryland Register.

Only the Department of Health, via its Office of Health Care Quality, will regularly license new programs, including the programs listed below:

• Therapeutic Group Homes
• Alternative Living Units
• Group Homes for the Developmentally Disabled

For more information on these programs, their requirements, and the needs of children served by these programs, please watch the brief presentation linked above.

Contact information for licensing agencies:

Office of Healthcare Quality
Xiaoli Wen
Xiaoli.Wen@maryland.gov
410-402-8069

Developmental Disabilities Administration
Janet Furman
Janet.Furman@maryland.gov
410- 767-5929

Department of Juvenile Services (not currently licensing)
Sonya White-Norman
Sonya.White-Norman@maryland.gov
410-230-3439

Department of Human Services (not currently licensing)
Darlene Ham, MSW
Darlene.Ham@maryland.gov
410-767-7447