Press Conference May 28, 2009 - #1

MEDIA ADVISORY CONTACT: Judi Spann
May 27, 2009 (850) 488-4855

REPORT ON PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS PRESCRIBED TO CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE RELEASED TOMORROW

Secretary George Sheldon to discuss report at media availability

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon will discuss the Departments Psychotherapeutic Drug Status Report at a media availability tomorrow, May 28, 2009. The report is being compiled by DCF staff at the request of Secretary Sheldon following the apparent suicide of 7-year-old Gabriel Myers on April 16 in Margate, FL. In a review of Gabriels case files, it was determined that he had been prescribed several psychotropic drugs that had not been accurately reflected in the DCF database that contains case notes and histories of foster care children. Additionally, there was no indication of a signed parental consent form or a court order authorizing the administration of the drugs, as required.

In compiling the report, all Community-Based Care organizations throughout the state have been asked to review every foster childs record to determine: how many children are on psychotropic drugs; if that information was recorded accurately in the Departments database; and if there was a signed consent form or court order authorizing the use of the drug in the childs case file.

The status report will be released prior to the media availability.

The details for the media availability are as follows:

Thursday, May 28, 2009
2:00 p.m.
Florida Department of Children and Families
1317 Winewood Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Secretarys Large Conference Room, Building 2

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Gabriel Myers
• DCF
• child drugging
• foster child drugging