Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) of Biomedical and Behavioral and Statistical Research

Welcome to the State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families' Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) of Biomedical and Behavioral and Statistical Research. The DCF CPHS is responsible for reviewing and approving research involving clients and staff prior to the initiation of research and through continuing review and monitoring of approved studies. The purpose of an CPHS review is to ensure that studies are being conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence and justice as set forth in the The Belmont Report, and in compliance with federal regulations and internal policies. The DCF CPHS is established by policy of the agency.  The DCF CPHS follows and is informed by federal guidelines.  Restoration of the Federal Wide Assurance concerning its operations is currently under consideration by DCF. 

Operations of the DCF CPHS are governed by agency policy which requires that “All requests for research involving human subjects (clients or DCF staff), which the department conducts or in which the department assists in providing patients or data, shall require consideration for approval by the CPHS.

The Department of Children and Families is a multicultural agency serving children and families from different races, ethnicities, creeds, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions.  Some families have limited English proficiency or it is not their preferred language.  Therefore, it is the expectation of the DCF CPHS that studies submitted to the CPHS for review are written in a way that is culturally and linguistically responsive and appropriate, and lead to the inclusion and increased knowledge that is relevant to our heterogeneous population.

If you have any questions, you may email the CPHS at DCF.CPHS@ct.gov

Beginning a Study

For a new study, please reach out to the CPHS at DCF.CPHS@ct.gov for more information.  The CPHS Coordinator will reach out with more information about what will be required. 

Generally, the CPHS will request a copy of the IRB Application, IRB approval, and any supplemental documents (survey question, consent forms, etc.).  The CPHS may defer to the IRB of Record, but they will still review all research involving DCF youth, families, or staff due to the special considerations of these populations.  The CPHS Coordinator will let you know when a discussion is scheduled to review the request.

Continuing Reviews and Amendments
should be submitted at least one month prior to CPHS meetings for processing and review by members.  Forms can be located on the Forms Library.  For continuing reviews, a copy of the Annual Summary is required in the submission. When a study is closing, a copy of the Final Report is required.

Continuing Review Guidelines

The Principal Investigator is responsible for submitting:  1) the Continuing Review form; and, 2) all supporting documentation concurrently for the continuing review no sooner than 45 days but no later than 30 days before the study’s expiration date.  This ensures adequate time for the CPHS to process and review the Continuing Review information.

Principal Investigators and Study Coordinators are strongly encouraged to devise a tickler system for ensuring the timely submission of all information needed to continue the review.  Methods include setting reminder notices in electronic calendars, and conducting frequent meetings with study staff to review expiration dates.

Expired Studies (Full Board Hearings and Expedited Reviews) Guidelines

If the CPHS approval expires, before the continuing review and approval process occur, the Principal Investigator and study staff must stop all research activities related to that study.  All research activities including ascertainment, recruitment, consent, data collection and data analysis must cease.  This includes intervening and interacting with subjects, and/or obtaining or analyzing identifiable private information about the participant(s), and using any data obtained after the expiration date for the research.

CPHS Resources and Training

• NIH Office of Extramural Research Training for External researchers, CPHS Chairs and Co-Chairs.
• NIH Human Subjects Assurance Training for CPHS Chairs, Co-Chairs and Members.
• The Federal Regulation establishing and governing the responsibilities of CPHSs:  45 CFR 46: CFR, Protection of Human Subjects
• Historical background on the origins of the ethical principles governing research:  The Belmont Report
• A handbook for those with questions about being involved in Human Subjects research:  CDC Human Subject Information Brochure
• PHI (Personal Health Information) Related Links:  HHS Office for Civil Rights - HIPAA
• Guidelines to promote a shared understanding of the Principles of Collaborative Authorship:   Authorship Guidelines For Research Publications
• International Committee of Medical Journal Editor's  Guidelines on Authorship

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CPHS Forms Library

The CPHS is in the process of updating its forms.  Please first email the CPHS at DCF.CPHS@ct.gov to check which forms, if any, are required for your request.

• Application Form_052515
• Continuing Review Form
• Protocol Revision and Amendment Form
• Reporting Adverse Events Form

Board Members

The CPHS is a multidisciplinary body of professionals who volunteer to serve as a reviewer of research proposals.  There is at least one Non-affiliated member of the CPHS, meaning a person who is not affiliated with the agency.

Donald Shevchuk, JD (Co-Chair), Affiliated
Frank Gregory, PhD (Co-Chair), Affiliated
Jon Phillips, PhD, LSW/MSW, Unaffiliated
Johanna Schmidt (Coordinator), Affiliated

CPHS Meeting Schedule:    The CPHS meets the second Thursday of the month in the morning.  Meetings are currently virtual. 

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CPHS Review Determination

CPHS approval does not constitute administrative permission to access data or subjects in DCF facilities, programs and services.  DCF administrative permission for access to specific records or subjects is a separate matter.  Permission must be obtained from DCF and the administrators of the respective facility, program, or service.

Contribution, Authorship and Acknowledgement

The Department seeks ongoing opportunities to engage in partnerships of mutual benefit as an outgrowth of its commitment to and investment in scholarly research. Therefore, the Department may be able to make significant contributions that support proposed research and build DCF staff capacity through involvement in activities such as formulating the research hypotheses and research design; and/or designing and conducting major data analyses and interpreting the findings.

The expectation is that DCF staff would be afforded opportunities for co-authorship by helping to draft or revise an article for critically important content; contributing to writing a major section of the manuscript; and providing final approval of the version to be published. Department staff that makes minor contributions should be acknowledged in the paper. The Department reserves the right to decide its level of contribution or initiate requests when these opportunities appear available and consistent with its priorities.

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Application Process

The CPHS will not consider a research proposal until the application package is received in its entirety.  In addition, the DCF CPHS will not review any research proposal until it has been cleared by all other applicable institutions’ IRBs and CPHSs.  The CPHS will review completed application packages in as timely a manner as possible, but no later than sixty (60) days after the receipt of the entire application package.

Please be aware that application packages submitted to the DCF CPHS have been determined by the department to be disclosable under the Freedom of Information Act provisions, unless otherwise exempt.

Application Package

A completed application package must contain the following: 

• The application to the researcher's home IRB (IRB of Record) and approval from the IRB of Record
• A sample of the consent form to be used. The consent must cover the specific risks and benefits to the individual subject.  Consent forms should be available in languages appropriate to the research population.
• The questionnaires or other data collection instruments to be used in the research.
• A copy of the grant application if the research is grant funded and a copy of the research design or proposal.
• A copy of the CPHS approval(s) of all other applicable institutions when the research proposal has been cleared. 
• For any research at DCF sites, a letter from the chief administrator or Solnit South executive committee, is required indicating initial approval.  Solnit South's executive committee must approve research involving its patients.  
• A current resume or Curriculum Vitae of the principal investigator and co-investigator(s).
• A copy of the Exempt Research or Expedited Review Checklist, if applicable.
• Assurance of completion of investigator training.

Application Submission

The CPHS application package may be submitted electronically or via one signed original hard copy application.  If submitting a hard copy, please address to the following:

DCF CPHS
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT  06106

Electronic copies should be sent to: DCF.CPHS@ct.gov