How does psychotropic medication consent work for youth in foster care

Abstract

IntroductionIt is well known that youth in foster care are at high risk for psychiatric disorders, recently reported in up to 89%, with over 55% exhibiting ADHD in one sample (Linares et al., 2013). Psychotropic medication use was reported in 59% of foster care youth within a 2-month period (Brenner et al., 2013). The psychotropic medication consent process in Los Angeles for dependent children is multidisciplinary, starting with the treating psychiatrist's written authorization request to Children's Dependency Court. Once received, it is distributed to the child's attorney, social worker, and Juvenile Court Mental Health Service (JCMHS). JCMHS reviews and provides recommendations to the judicial officer who ultimately approves, modifies, or denies consent.ObjectivesTo present the steps and reasoning in the process of review, consultation, recommendations and decisions in psychotropic medication consent for dependent youth.AimsTo provide an understanding of the multidisciplinary review process involved in determining psychotropic medication consent in foster care youth.MethodPresentation of a timeline, forms and guidelines used in the process including the “Psychotropic Medication Authorization Form” (PMA) (Judicial Council of California, 2008).ResultsCategories of recommendations and approvals provided to the judicial officer will be presented and rationales for in-person consultations.ConclusionThe psychotropic medication consent process for foster care youth is a complex multidisciplinary process which includes a clinically significant set of recommendations from JCMHS to the judicial officer to aid in making informed decisions regarding psychotropic medication.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.