Psychotropic Medication & Visitation

Katherine Barillas, Ph.D.

Director of Child Welfare Policy

One Voice Texas

Great progress through STAR Health but…

Gaps in accountability◦ Not monitoring through in-person visits

◦ Not all children in foster care are covered by STAR

Recommendations: In-person every 90 days (HB 838-Zerwas)

ICPC & dual-eligible (HB 1143 Strama & HB 915 Kolkhorst)

Inclusion of non-pharmacological in parameters (Alvarado)

Other opportunities

◦ (HB 831-Gonzalez)

Informed consent according to HSC

◦ (SB 424 – Nelson)

Inform youth re: Rx when transitioning out of care

Informed consent (HSC)

Notify parents of initial Rx and change in dosage

Court review of non-pharmacological interventions, plans to stop medications and prognosis if that occurs

Other opportunities:

HB 1058 (Turner)

◦ Reporting, recording and processing

HB 473 (Turner)

◦ Pre-authorization for antipsychotics or neurolipticfor children under 5

Current policy◦ Reunification rates and permanency

◦ Better emotional outcomes

Recommendations (SB 352-West):Visitation plan developed within a week of removal;

scheduled visit within 72 hours of the child’s removal.

Court review of visitation plan by14 day hearing versus 45 day hearing. Visitation plans and outcomes should be regularly reviewed at each permanency court hearing.

The court should examine the need for visitation to be reduced as it is safe to do so

Visits should be scheduled at a minimum 2-3 times a week. Court will review barriers & how to address

Appropriate guidelines for visitation provided to parents before the visit takes place

Use of volunteers