DFPS or single source continuum contractor (SSCC) staff may be required to administer medications to children and youth as part of normal day-to-day responsibilities (such as transporting a child or youth to an appointment or supervised visit). In most circumstances, DFPS or SSCC staff members at all levels can administer medications. However, if the child is without placement and staying with DFPS or SSCC staff overnight, one of the following must administer the child’s medications:

• DFPS or SSCC staff member at the caseworker level or above.
• DFPS dedicated youth supervision staff member.
• Contracted registered nurse (as available).

Contracted registered nurses are sometimes available when DFPS staff are supervising children. DFPS does not provide contracted registered nurses when SSCC staff are supervising children.

If a DFPS or SSCC staff member or a contracted registered nurse (as available) administers medication, the following requirements apply:

• The person who administers the medication (DFPS or SSCC staff member or contracted registered nurse) must do the following:
  • Refer to Form 2400 Prescription Medication InformationPDF Document for each prescribed medication or Form 2401 Non-Prescription Medication Log [sic, intranet link]PDF Document External Link for over-the-counter medication. 
  • Be informed about the child’s diagnosis (if any) and other medications.
  • Be informed about the actions of the medication and side effects.
  • Administer medications only if they are stored in the original pharmacy container (for prescription medications), a blister pack created by a pharmacy, or a manufacturer’s container (for nonprescription medications).
  • Administer medications according to the instructions on the container or from the prescribing licensed health care provider.
  • Remove the prescribed dosage of the medication (or the dosage indicated in the instructions, if nonprescription) from the stored pharmacy (or manufacturer’s) container outside the presence of the child and return the stored container to the child’s lockbox. (If no lockbox is available, the staff member or nurse uses another suitable locking storage area.) This removes any chance of the child grabbing the container and possibly taking an overdose.
  • If caring for more than one child, prepare and administer medications for each child individually. This minimizes the possibility of giving the wrong medication to a child and the possibility of a child grabbing another child’s medication and taking it.
  • Make sure the child takes the medication as prescribed (if it is a prescription medication) or as directed on the container (if nonprescription).
• Documentation that the medication was administered (or, if applicable, that the child refused to take the medication at a certain date and time) is required in both of the following places:
  • IMPACT Contact Detail entered by a DFPS or SSCC staff member if medication was administered while traveling, during a visit, or in another circumstance. Exception: For youth without placement, documentation must be entered into youth shift notes.
  • Form 2406 Daily Prescription Medication Log Sheet [sic, intranet link]Word DocumentExternal Link or Form 2401 Non-Prescription Medication LogPDF Document (entered by the staff member or nurse who administered the medication).

A DFPS or SSCC staff member must do the following when a medication is administered or attempted to be administered (regardless of whether a staff member or a contracted registered nurse administered the medication):

• Place the original Form 2406 or Form 2401 (or both, if applicable) in the child’s case record.
• Give a copy of Form 2406 or Form 2401 (or both, if applicable) to the child’s next caregiver.

DFPS or SSCC staff must contact the regional CPS nurse consultant or a contracted registered nurse (as available) with any questions or concerns about a medication for a child.