If you have a specialization of “Emergency Shelter Care”, you are asked to complete the Emergency Shelter Care Health Review form (06-9732). This form is in the placement packet and may assist you in determining the immediate health condition of the child. The Health Review asks you to make note of:
The child’s general appearance including any visible signs of injury such as bruises, scratches or cuts;
These questions help the resource family determine immediate health needs. Report any finding of concern to your assigned worker. Resource families should send this form to the child’s assigned worker upon completion and maintain a copy for their records.
When a child is placed with you, the assigned worker will provide a completed Consent for Emergency and Routine Medical Care Form (06-9716), at the time of placement.
Resource families are responsible for getting emergency care for a child when necessary. The Consent form allows you to secure emergency care when the medical problem is life threatening or would result in permanent injury. If a child needs or has been provided emergency care or hospitalization, contact OCS as soon as possible.
For additional information regarding immunizations including COVID-19 vaccinations, see section Regular Check-Ups and Immunization in the next chapter.
Parental consent must be obtained for an elective or non-emergency major medical or dental procedure (i.e., dental anesthesia, surgery, ear tubes). If parental rights have been terminated, OCS must then consent to the medical/ dental procedure.
Psychotropic medications are considered non-emergency major medical care and must have the consent of child’s parents, or OCS approval if parental rights have been terminated. This includes any changes to a current psychotropic medication prescription.
A resource family may administer prescription medication, and special medical procedures to a child only as authorized by a doctor or legally authorized health provider and written permission from the child’s parent or the assigned worker. In an urgent situation or after hours the provider can contact the “on call” assigned worker to get telephonic permission to administer the medication. The provider will need to follow up with the written permission from the child’s assigned worker.
Written permission must first be obtained for the administration of prescription medication from the parent of the child in care, or the assigned worker when a new medication is prescribed. If the department is the legal guardian, written permission must be obtained from the assigned worker. The Consent for Emergency and Routine Medical Care form authorizes the resource family to administer nonprescription and commonly used over-the-counter medication that is recommended by the child's physician in accordance with the manufacture's lable.
If a child is taking prescription medicine, keep the medication in its original container. This container should have a label showing the date filled, the expiration date, instructions, and the physician’s or health provider’s name.
Document all prescribed medications on the Medical, Dental, and Medication Record (06-9180).
Do not save the medicine used with one child to treat another, even if you think the child has the same illness!
Keep all medications out of the reach of children. For common illness or injury, a resource family can use over-the- counter drugs if authorized by the assigned worker. The Consent for Emergency and Routine Medical Care form authorizes the provider to administer commonly used over the counter medications. Use these medications only according to directions on the medication label unless a health provider indicates otherwise. If you receive different directions from your health provider, get those instructions in writing, and incorporate these instructions into the child’s medical records.
Parental consent for emergency and routine medical care is not required, since custody court orders authorize the department to consent to minor or emergency treatment. Routine/minor medical care includes administration of non-prescription and commonly used over-the-counter medication in accordance with the manufacturer’s label.
As a resource family, you have the right to medical information or health history that the Department may have at the time of a child’s placement or during the child’s stay with you. The Consent for Emergency and Routine Medical Care form allows for discussion with physicians about the child’s health.
Most children who enter out-of-home care are eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid covers the cost of the child’s medical care, dental care, pharmaceutical services and other health needs. For a child to receive Medicaid coverage, the child’s assigned worker applies on behalf of the child. Check with the health care provider to ensure the provider accepts Medicaid, before scheduling a medical appointment or filling a prescription. Present the Medicaid card to the medical provider (doctor, pharmacy or hospital) at the time of the child’s appointment. If the child already has a medical or dental care provider, it should be noted on the Consent for Emergency and Routine Medical Care (06- 9716) Form. For continuity of medical or dental care, use the child’s current health care provider. Note: Many health care services require prior authorization. Resource families should never name themselves as the guarantor. Contact the OCS office in your area to obtain the address to correctly fill out guarantor information.
Review the Alaska Medicaid Recipient Handbook online at https://health.alaska.gov/dhcs/Documents/PDF/Recipient-Handbook.pdf.
If you have questions about Medicaid covered services or need help locating a health care professional in your area who accepts Medicaid, contact the Recipient Help Line toll free at 1-800-780-9972.
If a child is not Medicaid eligible, payment for medical care may be handled in one of several ways. In some instances, the child may be covered through health care insurance of a parent. This coverage should be coordinated with the child’s assigned worker and the parent. If a child has no resources for medical care, OCS/DJJ is financially responsible for these services. However, prior authorization from OCS/DJJ is required before any discretionary medical or dental treatment is provided. Medicaid criteria will be used by the Department to determine if a procedure or treatment is routine regardless of the child’s eligibility for Medicaid.
Alaska Native/American Indian children must be an enrolled Tribal member, with a federally recognized Tribe, or the descendent of an enrolled Tribal member with a federally recognized Tribe, to receive health benefits from the Indian Health Service (IHS).
In the State of Alaska, there are many Tribal health care facilities. Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage is the state-wide referral center for specialty care. Resource families should use the IHS clinic in their community for eligible children in care.
Tribally operated hospitals include: