This program supports the agencies that regulate and permit licensed and family child care facilities, foster care homes, alternatives for youth homes, adoption applicants, and adult foster care homes.
Staff members respond to requests by applicants and organizations to provide basic sanitary surveys of the residence to be permitted as a care site. The survey involves bacteriological water sampling, a septic system visual inspection, and observations about any other obvious environmental hazards that exist at the applicant residence.
The Environmental Health Division charges a water sample request fee to schedule the sanitary survey. In addition, a lab analysis fee is charged by the State Laboratories Administration, which is sent directly to the State Laboratories by the applicant. There is no additional charge for any follow-up testing or survey work to complete the application review after the initial fee.
If you would like more information about this program or would like to report a concern, please contact the health department at smchd.healthdept@maryland.gov or call 301-475-4321.