Audit: Drugs for foster children not reviewed

The Coos Bay World

SALEM (AP) - An audit finds deficiencies in the oversight of psychiatric drugs given to children in Oregon's foster care program, reports The Oregonian, whose investigation has found that the children get psychiatric medications at four times the rate of other children covered by Medicaid.

The paper reported in November 2007 that child welfare officials pledged better oversight of the drugs, given to one in five foster children.

But it said a December audit report, obtained through a public records request, found medication logs missing from child welfare files and almost none of the children's psychiatric prescriptions getting a required second review.

The audit also found poor communication between caseworkers and foster parents concerning children's medications.

Following the 2007 report, child welfare officials convened a medical advisory committee to look at prescribing practices and sought opinions from the state Drug Use Review Board and the attorney general.

The agency also requested a full-time medical director to focus on child welfare cases, but that was turned down for lack of money.

Instead, officials arranged early this year to share a pediatrician and a psychiatrist with another division in the agency.

"We have made progress, and there is still more to be done," said Erinn Kelley-Siel, state child welfare director. "We are strongly committed to making every effort to ensure that children get the care they need."

A legislative measure would require regular review of the psychiatric drugs administered to children in state custody.

Children are being prescribed two, three or more drugs, said Rep. Tina Kotek, a Portland Democrat.

"It's the state's responsibility to treat children in foster care like they're our kids," Kotek said. "And I want to have better oversight of the drugs those kids are taking, especially if they're young."