Placement Limits – Non-relative Foster Homes are not permitted to care for more

Placement Limits – Non-relative Foster Homes are not permitted to care for more than six (6) children, including foster, biological, and adoptive children, at any given time, in accordance with the following: 1. Non-relative Foster Homes may provide care for more than three (3) foster children, up to a total of six (6), only with the documented approval of MDCPS determining that the foster children can be safely maintained in the foster home. 2. No more than two (2) children in the foster home may be under the age of two (24 months) and no more than one (1) may have therapeutic needs, including the biological and/or adoptive children without prior approval of MDCPS. Notwithstanding the above, a sibling group may be placed together in the same non- relative foster home in excess of these limits but only upon the written approval of MDCPS determining that the foster children can be safely maintained in the home. In addition, approval to exceed these limits may be granted if at least one of the following is applicable: 1. To allow a parenting youth in foster care to remain with the child of the parenting youth; 2. To allow siblings to remain together; 3. To allow a child with an established meaningful relationship with the family to remain with the family; and 4. To allow a family with special training or skills to provide care for a child who has a severe disability.