Quality Improvement Project (QI Project)

Improving the Use of Psychotropic Medication among Children and Youth in Foster Care

The QI Project is a collaborative effort between the California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Health Care Services. The purpose of the QI Project is to improve safe and appropriate prescribing and monitoring techniques of psychotropic medication use among children and youth in foster care.

The QI Project is comprised of four stakeholder work groups, including the Clinical work group, Data and Technology work group, Youth, Family, and Education work group, and Psychotropic Medication Legislation Implementation work group. The goals of the work groups are:

  • Clinical - to develop statewide guidelines for ongoing oversight and coordination of health care services for children in foster care. This will include protocols and strategies to improve the appropriate use and monitoring of psychotropic medication of children and youth in foster care.
  • Data and Technology - to use technology to improve the delivery of data by connecting multiple data sources to be more readily accessible, utilize data exchanges to improve quality of services, and develop quantifiable outcome measures.
  • Youth, Family and Education - to develop educational resources regarding psychotropic medication treatment for foster children, youth, and caregivers.
  • Psychotropic Medication Implementation - to collaborate with stakeholders to develop training, establish methodology for group home inspections, develop content for county data reports, and support the implementation of all psychotropic medication related statutes.

Additionally, the QI Project has internal and external subject matter experts that have the responsibility of reviewing and approving all documents created by the QI Project, as well as to provide information and expertise regarding relevant subject matters. The goal of the Expert Panel is to provide input to the State Agencies regarding the development of a state-wide protocol, including reviewing final action plan items from established workgroups and strategies to improve the appropriate use and monitoring of psychotropic medication of children and youth in foster care.

Resources

Clinical

Guidelines

Youth, Family, and Education

Psychotropic Medication Implementation

CDSS Letters and Information Notices

All County Letters

All County Information Notices

Additional Information

Visit the California Department of Health Care Services QI Project Website for additional information on the QI Project: Improving the use of Psychotropic Medication among Children and Youth in Foster Care.

Please contact the Placement Services and Support Unit using the information provided below with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Placement Services and Support Unit
744 P Street, MS 08-13-66
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 657-1858
QIPsychotropic@dss.ca.gov

Contact Us

Permanency Services and Support Unit
744 P Street, MS 08-13-556
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 657-1858
QIPsychotropic@dss.ca.gov