Washington Administrative Code
Title 110 - Children, Youth, and Families, Department of
Chapter 110-145 - Licensing requirements for group care facilities
MEDICAL SAFETY
Section 110-145-1855 - What are the general requirements for managing a child's medication?

(1) Medication must not be used for behavior control, unless prescribed for that purpose by a physician or another person legally authorized to prescribe medication.

(2) Only you, a licensed foster parent, or another authorized care provider, such as a respite provider, are allowed to have access to medications for a child in your care.

(3) You must not use medication in an amount or frequency other than that prescribed by an appropriately licensed health care provider or psychiatrist.

(4) You must not reduce or stop a child's prescribed medication without the written approval of the child's physician. You must report this information to the child's DCYF caseworker. In addition to the physician, you must coordinate starting or stopping a child's psychotropic medication with the child's DCYF caseworker to determine what consent is needed. The DCYF caseworker may need to obtain consent from the child age 13 or older, the parent or guardian, or the court.

(5) You must follow the direction of the agency or court regarding giving or applying prescription and nonprescription medications if you care for children in the custody of another agency, or tribal or other court. If this is in conflict with the department's policy, you must notify the child's DCYF caseworker.

(6) You must not give medications to a child that has been prescribed for someone else.

(7) You must keep a record of all prescription and nonprescrip-tion medications given to children in care. This documentation includes:

(8) You must obtain a signature from a licensed health care provider within 72 hours of obtaining a medication order by phone.