CBC Contract Requirements

Extract from Community-Based Care (CBC) Lead Agency contract documents, 9/2010

Pre-consent Reviews for Psychotropic Medications

a) Psychotropic medication may only be authorized by the court for a child who is in out-of-home placement upon a finding that there is a substantial likelihood that the medication will produce the intended effects and that the benefits of the medication will outweigh its burdens.

b) A pre-consent review by a consultant child psychiatrist shall be obtained prior to prescription of a psychotropic medication for any child under 11 years of age who is prescribed two or more psychotropic medications and who is in the custody of the department in out-of-home care. The results of the review by the consultant child psychiatrist shall be provided to the child and to the person who has legal authority to provide express and informed consent for extraordinary medical treatment or the judge who is providing the court order for treatment with a psychotropic medication. The Lead Agency may utilize the department’s Pre-Consent Review contract with the University of Florida or may contract locally with a child psychiatrist who is licensed under Chapter 458 or 459, F.S., for this purpose. A parent or legal guardian whose rights are still intact may waive pre-consent review and provide express and informed consent for administration of such medication.

c) In lieu of the requirements of paragraph b), a second medical opinion may be obtained from a child psychiatrist who is licensed under Chapter 458 or Chapter 459, Florida Statutes. The Lead Agency may contract with a local child psychiatrist to provide second opinions.