65C-35.004. Caregiver Involvement

(1) The caregiver’s schedule must be taken into consideration when scheduling appointments. The caregiver must make every effort to attend medical appointments and obtain the information about medications, possible side effects, and provide information about the child to the prescriber as requested. Caregivers do not have the authority to provide expressed and informed consent for psychotropic medication. However, nothing in this rule prohibits caregivers from expressing their concerns regarding prescribing psychotropic medication to children.

(2) If the caregiver is unable to attend the appointment and it cannot be rescheduled, then the child protective investigator (CPI) or case manager or his or her designee who has received training on psychotropic medications in accordance with Rule 65C-35.014, F.A.C., shall attend the appointment. The designee must also be familiar with the child.

(a) The CPI or case manager shall provide to the designee, in writing, the child’s medical and mental health history, behaviors, concerns, and effects of the current psychotropic medications on the child.

(b) The CPI or case manager shall provide a copy of the Medical Report, incorporated by reference in Rule 65C-35.001, F.A.C., to the caregiver and review the report with the caregiver to ensure the caregiver’s understanding of the report.

(3) The caregiver shall monitor the child and report to the prescribing physician or psychiatric nurse and the CPI or case manager any behavior or other incident that could indicate an adverse reaction or side effect. The caregiver must seek emergency medical care for the child if the presence of an adverse reaction or side effect to the medication is affecting the child’s health or safety.

Rulemaking Authority 39.407(3)(g) FS. Law Implemented 39.407(3) FS. History–New 3-17-10, Amended 4-20-17, 5-28-18, 12-3-19.