Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Federal wide Assurance # 00001516; 
IRB Registration # 0001878
Justin Brown, IRB Chair, 959-255-7678, Justin.Brown2@ct.gov
 
The Office of the Commissioner - Institutional Review Board (DMHAS IRB) is constituted in order to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects participating in DMHAS sponsored or approved research.  The OOC IRB reviews research involving human subjects conducted in state operated facilities - including research sponsored by DMHAS and research sponsored by non-DMHAS institutions.
NON-DMHAS INVESTIGATORS
When conducted by a non-DMHAS institution, not under contract by DMHAS, research must also be reviewed through a multi-stage process.
  1. The research proposal must first be submitted to the DMHAS IRB for review.
  2. After preliminary IRB approval, the IRB chair emails the submission to the Research Director for a review of scientific merit.
  3. Upon notification that the research proposal has been sent to the Research Director, the investigator will submit the IRB Application and recruitment materials to the CEO of the DMHAS facility proposed as a recruitment or study site to obtain CEO endorsement.
  4. Upon receipt of both the letter of endorsement and the IRB approved research proposal, the DMHAS Director of Research will present the study to the Commissioner for approval.

OOC IRB policy, guidelines regarding filing an application for IRB approval as well as the necessary forms can be accessed online or from the OOC IRB office.    

Mailing Address:
Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Institutional Review Board - Office of the Commissioner
Justin Brown, IRB Chair
410 Capitol Avenue , PO 341431
Hartford, CT 06134

Applications and Forms for Use by Investigators

DMHAS IRB forms and other study documents must be completed and submitted in Microsoft Word via email.

IRB Membership List:

Member

Affiliation

Rev. James Cook, Sr.

Minister, Re-Entry Specialist, Prisoner Interests Representative

Nancy Covell, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Columbia University Medical Center 
Annette Medero, BS
 TOIVO Hispanic Initiative Director, Advocacy Unlimited

David Eppner, MA, LADC

Counselor - The Root Center for Advanced Recovery (a trade name of The Hartford Dispensary),
Prisoner Interests Representative 

Kristina Hallett, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Clinical Training
Bay Path University
Justin Brown
DMHAS IRB Chair

2023 Meeting Dates:

  • January 29, 2023

  • February 16, 2023

  • March 22, 2023

  • April 19, 2023

  • May 17, 2023

  • June 21, 2023

  • July 19, 2023

  • August 23, 2023

  • September 20, 2023

  • October 18, 2023

  • November 22, 2023

  • December 20, 2023
The initial “Application for IRB Approval” should be submitted to the IRB by the first of the month in order to be scheduled for review during that month.   The investigator should contact the IRB chair to confirm the date at which the application will be reviewed.

The “Application for Continuing Approval” should be submitted to the IRB on the first of the month during which the application will be reviewed. 

Principal Investigators are generally asked to be available by phone during the IRB meeting at which their study is reviewed in order to respond to any questions that may arise.