Foster Agencies Careful With Medicating

Your article “Caretakers Routinely Drug Foster Children” (May 17) was disturbing, especially to those of us who serve our state’s most vulnerable children. As CEO of a large residential treatment center and foster family agency, and president of California Assn. of Services to Children (CSC), I am compelled to delineate another view.

We have been serving troubled children for more than 30 years at Florence Crittenton Services of Orange County. We are increasingly alarmed at the severity and complexity of issues faced by the damaged children who come to us for help. In years past, many would have been in psychiatric hospitals. The beds have gone away, but the children have not. For some, the use of a carefully monitored medication program is critical.

CSC’s 70 member agencies oppose the use of psychotropic medication as a chemical restraint at any time. We are required to follow strict, specific and detailed guidelines for dispensing all medications as a condition of our organization’s standards. Mandatory controls are in place to ensure that abuses do not occur. Progress reports are regularly submitted for each child to the county that placed the child. These reports include details of every medical event, doctor appointment, diagnosis, prescription and change in medication, with dates and results of blood level tests.

For some, the inclusion of medication as a part of their treatment is necessary to stabilize the youngster so that we can begin the healing process. The use of medication when warranted is never used as a solitary intervention. A multidisciplinary team designs a comprehensive treatment plan, which includes individual, group and family therapy, educational and recreational services and nutrition monitoring.

All treatment plans are updated by the team regularly and are targeted at stabilizing the child. Information is easily assessed on every child on medication, the name of the medication and the dosage, the start date, side effects noted, changes in medication and dates and results of blood level tests. Our goal is to utilize medication for only as long as needed. When children are discharged, their complete records go with them.

Your concerned readers could play a role in ensuring the safety and quality of care for all children in need of out-of-home placement by advocating for accreditation of county social services agencies as well as for all of the agencies with which the county contracts. Standards for care are published by the Child Welfare League of America and serve as an excellent guide for reviewing the quality of care at an agency.