4118.234

5141.231

Personnel - Certified/Students

Psychotropic Drug Use

Psychotropic drugs are prescription medications for behavioral or social-emotional concerns, such as attention deficits, impulsivity, anxiety, depression and thought disorders, and includes, but is not limited to stimulant medications and anti-depressants. Except for personnel identified in the following paragraph, staff may not recommend psychotropic drugs for students. “Recommend” shall mean to directly or indirectly suggest that a child use or needs psychotropic drugs. However, school health or mental health personnel, including school nurses or nurse practitioners, the District’s Medical Advisor, Special Education Coordinator, school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors may recommend a student be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner.

Communications among school health, mental health and other school personnel pertaining to a student recommendation for medical evaluation shall be through established child study teams and/or the planning and placement team in conformity with state and federal special education statutes.  Such procedures shall be consistent with all mandatory and existing procedures and due process safeguards governing assessment and diagnosis. Further, upon written consent of parents or guardian, school personnel may consult with the medical practitioner as requested.

In addition, the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) may recommend a medical evaluation as part of an initial evaluation or reevaluation, to determine a child’s eligibility for special education and related services or educational needs for an individualized education program (IEP). Parental/guardian refusal for administration of any psychotropic drug to the child are not grounds for a referral to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) unless such refusal causes such child to be neglected or abused, as defined in C.G.S. 46b-120.

The Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee shall promulgate this policy to district staff and parents/guardians of students annually and upon the registration of new students.

(cf. 5141.4 - Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect)

Legal Reference:   Connecticut General Statutes

10-212b Policies prohibiting the recommendation of psychotropic drugs by school personnel. (as amended by PA 03-211)

46b-120. Definitions

10-76a Definitions.

10-76b State supervision of special education programs and services.

10-76d Duties/powers of boards to provide special education programs and services.10-76h Special education hearing and review procedure. Mediation of disputes. (as amended by PA 00-48)

State Board of Education Regulations.

34 C.F.R. 3000 Assistance to States for Education for Handicapped Children.

American with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §1400 et seq.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, 29 U.S.C. § 794.

Policy adopted: 8/9/10