Centralized Medication Consent Unit (CMCU)
CMCU comprises child psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses. It's in charge of reviewing all requests for psychotropic medication use by children and young people in Department of Children and Families (DCF) care.
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CMCU’s medication request review process
In reviewing the medication request, the Unit considers:
- The clinical situation as provided by the prescriber
- Monitoring requirements
- Maximum dosing guidelines
- Combination of medications
The dosing guidelines and monitoring requirements are based on the recommendations of the Psychotropic Medication Advisory Committee (PMAC). The PMAC comprises public and private pharmacists, nurse practitioners, child psychiatrists, pediatricians, registered nurses, and parent advocates. It is chaired by a DCF child psychiatrist and reviews any reported adverse drug reaction.
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 depends on the thorough completion of the request form. The goal is to complete urgent requests on the same day. Within one business day for routine requests. Note that when sections of the form are left blank or marginally completed, the process is delayed as we try to get the missing information.
The CMCU notifies the provider, DCF regional clinical director, DCF regional nurses, and the DCF worker of the decision. The Unit also maintains a database of the requests that have been processed.
If you have any questions about the process to obtain psychotropic medication approval, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
Forms
- DCF-465R: DCF Response to Medication Request (PDF).
- DCF-465A: Discontinuation of a Psychotropic Medication (PDF).
- DCF-465: Psychotropic Medication Consent Request (with Instructions)(PDF).
- DCF-465B: Suspected Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form (PDF).
Resources
- How to Properly Dispose of Medications
- DCF-Approved Medication List and Associated Medication Protocols (PDF).
- Guidelines for Psychotropic Medication Use in Children and Adolescents, June 2021 (PDF).
- A Guide for Community Child Serving Agencies on Psychotropic Medications for Children and Adolescents (PDF).
- Medications Used for Behavioral and Emotional Disorders: A Guide for Parents, Foster Parents, Families, Youth, Caregivers, Guardians, and Social Workers (PDF).
- Facts for Families Guide – American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
Handouts
- Metabolism and CYP450 Drug Interactions for Psychotropic Medications (PDF).
- DCF and PMAC Position Paper on Supplements, September 2019 (PDF).
How to submit a request
1. Form DCF-465 (PDF) will be used for DCF-committed youth and those youth for whom DCF has been court-ordered to authorize treatment with psychiatric medications.
2. DCF does not have the authority to give consent to children who are:
- On a 96-hour hold or an Order of Temporary Custody
- Committed delinquent
- In a voluntary services program
Please contact the DCF social worker to determine who the consenting guardian is (generally the parent).
3. 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 will be sent.
4. When a child changes providers or settings, a new DCF-465 form must always be submitted to CMCU.
5. 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.
6. In urgent situations after hours for new medications only, call the Careline at 1-800-842-2288.
7. 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.
8. Do not send the DCF-465 to the DCF Area Office social worker.
To submit a request on weekdays (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Fax or email the completed and signed form to CMCU
- Fax: 1-877-DCF-DRUG (1-877-323-3784)
- Email: 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.
To submit a request after hours (Monday through Friday after 5:00 p.m., weekends, state furlough days, and state holidays) – for requests from inpatient units or emergency rooms only:
- Call DCF’s 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 your call
Medication for emergency use
Medication for emergency use is covered by CT General Statute 17a-81 (Child Welfare).
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 it to the CMCU fax number: 1-877-DCF-DRUG (1-877-323-3784).
If you have any questions regarding this process or haven’t received a callback or completed response within one business day for a hospital request or within three business days for non-hospital requests, please call 1-860-704-4035.
Contact us
Toll-free fax: 1-877-DCF-DRUG (323-3784)
E-mail: getmeds.dcf@ct.gov
The CMCU is closed after 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, on Weekends, on State holidays, and during State Emergencies.
To contact us after hours, please call the Careline regarding all urgent requests at 1-800-842-2288.
Directory
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., Principal Psychiatrist
carissa.patsky-pomerleau@ct.gov
860-716-1941
Dielka Brutus, APRN
dielka.brutus@ct.gov
959-255-0673
Leslie Whaley Clark, Administrative Assistant
leslie.whaley-clark@ct.gov
203-909-7124
Angela Ojide, APRN
angela.ojide@ct.gov
860-937-4633
Rosina Bandanza, MD, M.D., Principal Psychiatrist
rosina.bandanza@ct.gov
860-549-7813
Community-Based Mental Health Services
If you, your child, or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide:
- Call or text 988
- Chat at 988lifeline.org
In life-threatening situations, call 911.
DCF offers a range of mental health and substance use disorders resources for children, young people, and their families.
Browse an A to Z list of community, behavioral, and mental health partners and resources.
Congregate Care Medical and Nursing Oversight
Contact us:
Errolee-Bryan Miller, RN MSN Nurse Consultant
DCF Congregate Care
505 Hudson St
Hartford CT 06106
Email: DCFCongregateCare@ct.gov
DCF Licensing Unit
Department of Children and Families (DCF) Licensing Unit
Phone: 860-398-1370
Email: dcf.licensing@ct.gov
Learn how to apply for a license from DCF.
Health Advocates
DCF employs health advocates to improve health outcomes by helping families and young people access healthcare services at the point of their need. Health advocates work in regional office offices and are there to help you:
- Resolve problems with health care access and insurance coverage for services
- Design a plan for services that address your health needs
- Explain how to access services with Medicaid and private insurance
- Check Medicaid eligibility and make it easier for you to apply
- Inform and train DCF staff, foster parents, and facility staff on Medicaid and DCF healthcare policies
- Make referrals to the foster care clinics for Multi-Disciplinary Exams (MDFs)
See a list of health advocates to find one in an office near you (PDF).
Medication Administration Certification Training
The DCF Medication Administration Certification Program trains people who do not have a medical license on how to administer medications safely to children.
This training program is only for use by employees in DCF-run and licensed childcare facilities and extended-day treatment programs.
Learn about the Medication Administration Training and how to apply.
Medically Complex Program
A small group of children in DCF care have complex medical needs. These needs go beyond routine well-child care and common childhood illnesses.
Some may need daily medications for mild-persistent asthma. Others may need help with all of their care due to severe cerebral palsy or other complex medical conditions.
DCF designates the care needs of children with complex medical needs into a four-tiered classification system. Classification four children have the most complex medical and associated care. Classification one children have fewer care needs and less medical risk.
Training requirements for Medically Complex Certification
All caregivers of children with complex medical needs are required to have extra health-related training.
- Fostering Health for Children in Foster Care: Only available online.
- CPR certification, which has to be age-appropriate. It also has to include an in-person demonstration of skills.
- See the Connecticut Alliance for Foster and Adoptive Families (CAFAF) website for post-licensing trainings.
- Medication Safety for Foster Parents: Only available online.