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

(Revised 6/1/22 ML #3677)

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The home 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. Discussions with the custodial case manager must be held to determine if the child in foster care has the maturity and responsibility to take their own medication and the dependability to avoid risky behavior when allowed access to typical household items.

 

During the home study, the licensing specialist will review this standard and view the home to ensure proper storage of items listed. Foster care providers must use reasonable and prudent parenting to ensure children in foster care placed in the 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 care providers care to younger children, a childproof lock on a lower cupboard may be sufficient to eliminate access to cleaning supplies. If providing care to teenagers, it may require additional supervision or locking of alcohol, prescription medication, and cleaning supplies especially if the child has a history of substance use.

 

Medication Management

Children in foster care placed into the home may or may not be taking medications. Foster care providers are to keep medications stored safely, out of reach of children and secured or locked, if necessary.

 

It will be most common for a child to need over-the-counter (OTC) medications, medications that can be purchased without a prescription from a health care provider. Children in foster care may have a prescription or psychiatric medication which is written by a health care professional for a specific child to meet the needs of their illness and is not to be shared with anyone else. If medications are prescribed, foster care providers are responsible to understand and follow directions given by the prescribing health care provider including, but not limited to the purpose of the medication, dosage, schedule, duration of use, side effects and how to respond to side effects.

 

When medication is to be disposed of, collaborate with the child’s custodial case manager for directions on how to dispose. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states to not flush medications down the sink or toilet, unless specifically instructed. Many times, custodial case managers will collect the excess medication and deliver to a local disposal site.