Centralized Medication Consent Unit
Given the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, effective immediately, CMCU is waiving the monitoring requirements for atypical antipsychotics, lithium, VPA, and carbamazepine. This is being done so as to reduce non-emergency contact between families and healthcare workers, in line with current recommendations about preventing spread of the coronavirus.Prior to requesting these medications, prescribing providers are expected to consider fully the shorter and longer-term risks of prescribing these medications without obtaining these studies. Please do not hesitate to contact the CMCU if there are any questions about this. Poison Control 1-800-222-1222
Fax: 1-877-DCF-DRUG (323-3784)
E-mail: getmeds.dcf@ct.gov
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About CMCU
Contact Us
DCF-Approved Medication List and Associated Medication Protocols
Forms
Guidelines for Psychotropic Medication Use in Children and Adolescents (June 2021)
Handouts:
CYP Metabolism of Psychotropic Medications
DCF and PMAC Position Paper on Supplements (September 2019)
How to Submit a Request
PMAC
Resources
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Psychotropic medication requests can be approved, denied or modified. When a request is being considered for modification or denial, efforts are made to speak with the prescriber directly when possible. Response time for requests is dependent upon the thorough completion of the request form. The goal is to complete urgent requests the same day and routine requests within one business day. When sections of the form are left blank or only marginally completed, there will be a delay while efforts are made to obtain the missing information. The CMCU provides notification of the decision to the provider, DCF regional clinical director, DCF regional nurses and the DCF worker. The Unit also maintains a database on the requests that have been processed.
The information contained in this website is updated regularly. If you have any questions about the process to obtain psychotropic medication approval, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
DCF Response to Medication Request DCF-465R
Discontinuation of a Psychotropic Medication DCF-465A
Psychotropic Medication Consent Request (with Instructions), DCF-465
Suspected Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form DCF-465B
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- This form is to be used for DCF-committed children only.
- For children on a 96-hour hold or an Order of Temporary Custody or who are committed delinquent or Voluntary Services Program, DCF does not have the authority to give consent. Please contact the DCF Social Worker to find out who the consenting guardian is (generally the parent).
- When the child is DCF-committed, please specify the person to receive the consent decision and the fax number or email address to which the decision is to be sent.
- Every time a child changes providers or settings, a new DCF-465 must be submitted to the Centralized Medication Consent Unit (CMCU).
- If the plan is to continue the current psychotropic medication regimen without any changes, the medications may be given while waiting for the response from the CMCU.
- In urgent situations after hours for new medications only, see below for how to contact the Careline.
- For requests to start Lithium, Valproic Acid, Atypical Antipsychotic, Clozapine, and Carbamazepine, baseline studies must be documented in Section VIII - Monitoring Studies prior to approval.
Weekdays - (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Fax or email the completed and signed form to the Centralized Medication Consent Unit (CMCU).
- Fax to: 1-877-DCF-DRUG (1-877-323-3784) or email to: getmeds.dcf@ct.gov
- CMCU staff will send the response to the fax number or email address the provider identifies on the form.
- Designated Area Office staff and the provider will be notified of the decision by CMCU staff.
- Do not send the DCF-465 to the DCF Area Office Social Worker.
After Hours – for requests from inpatient units or emergency rooms only:
(Monday through Friday after 5 p.m. or weekends, state furlough days and state holidays)
- CALL THE DCF CARELINE at 1-800-842-2288 to notify them of the request; AND
- Fax or email the DCF 465 to the DCF Careline AS ARRANGED DURING THE CALL.
Medication for Emergency Use is covered by CT General Statute §17a-81.
- Emergency use includes those situations in which the physician concludes that the treatment is necessary to prevent serious harm to the child.
- Complete the DCF-465 for emergency-use psychotropic medications within three days and send to the CMCU fax number.
Psychotropic Medication Monitoring Protocols, DCF-Approved Medications and Daily Dosages and Maximum Daily
Dosages are available on the Centralized Medication Consent Unit Website.
If you have any questions regarding this process, or if you haven’t received a call back or completed response within one business day for a hospital request or within three business days for non-hospital requests, please contact 860-704-4035.
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CONTACT US
E-mail: getmeds.dcf@ct.gov
Roumen Nikolov, MD
Medical Director/Chief of Psychiatry
Associate Residency Training Program Director Yale/Solnit Track
Albert J Solnit Children’s Center, Middletown CT
Tel. 860-704-4013
Fax 860-704-4123
Assistant: 860-704-4126
ROUMEN.NIKOLOV@ct.gov
Paul Rao, MD
Regional Medical Director
paul.rao@ct.gov
860-462-4494
Carissa Patsky-Pomerleau, M.D.
carissa.patsky-pomerleau@ct.gov
860 704-4078
Dielka Brutus, APRN
dielka.brutus@ct.gov
860 704-4233
Leslie Whaley Clark
Administrative Assistant
leslie.whaley-clark@ct.gov
860 704-4035
angela.ojide@ct.gov
860-704-4143
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RESOURCES
How to Properly Dispose of Medications
A Guide on Psychotropic Medications for Youth in Foster Care-U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Medication usage for Behavioral and Emotional Disorders: a Guide for Parents, Foster Parents, Families, Youth, Caregivers, Guardians and Social Workers - DCF
Facts for Families Guide – American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Available in English, Spanish and Chinese