Proper Storage of Medication and Other Hazardous Material 622-05-25-30-03

(NEW 10/1/19 ML #3564)

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The family foster home for children shall properly store medications, alcohol, poisonous materials, cleaning supplies, and other hazardous materials to prevent access to children, as appropriate for age and development of the children in placement.

 

During the home study, the licensing worker will review this standard and view the property to ensure proper storage of items listed. Foster parents must use reasonable and prudent parenting to ensure foster children placed in their home are safe from consumption or access to potentially dangerous items. Proper storage is required and will vary in each home depending on the cupboard and closet locations and the age of the children in placement.

 

The goal of this standard is to eliminate access. If foster parents provide care to younger children, a childproof lock on a lower cupboard may be sufficient to eliminate access to cleaning supplies. If foster parents provide care to teenagers, it may require additional supervision or locking of alcohol, prescription medication, and cleaning supplies if the child has a history of substance use.

 

The age, maturity level and history of the foster child will help determine if medications, alcohol, poisonous materials, cleaning supplies, and other hazardous materials maintained in the foster home, should be kept in locked storage. Discussions must be held to determine if the foster child has the maturity and responsibility to take their own medication and the dependability to avoid risky behavior when allowed access to these typical household items.