Consent & Authority for Evaluation and Treatment
The Authority for Evaluation and Treatment (AET, HS Form 002) is the Department’s general parental consent form authorizing specific medical care and treatment for youth in the custody of the Department. For the purpose of the AET document, departmental custody includes those DJJ facilities where youth are housed 24 hours per day, such as, Detention Centers and Residential Commitment Programs. The AET provides limited authority for youth in DJJ facility-based non-residential programs. There are certain types of care that requires additional written consent that is not addressed in the Authority for Evaluation and Treatment.
Parental notification refers to notifying parents of specific events that have occurred related to the youth’s health care. This notification may be provided verbally, or by telephone followed by notification in writing. Written notification is required for any additional health-related care not addressed in the signed Authority for Evaluation and Treatment. This is accomplished by sending the parent the necessary standardized Parental Notification of Health Related Care (HS Forms 020, 021, 022) for any additional health-related care not addressed in the signed Authority for Evaluation and Treatment.
No. The Authority for Evaluation and Treatment (AET) is valid for as long as the youth is under any type of supervision, custody or other form of legal control by the Department; or for one year after it was signed by the parent/legal guardian, whichever comes later, or until the youth’s 18th birthday. Legal control includes probation and conditional release.
No. Once a youth turns 18, an AET is not valid because the youth is legally considered an adult. The youth must provide consent at the point of care for all medical services, as with any other adult. The youth’s parent or guardian may not be contacted for consent or notification of medical services unless the youth gives consent to do so.
No. Consent or notification of the parent or guardian for a youth’s prenatal services is not required; however, the youth should be encouraged to allow for parental notification when prenatal care issues arise. Because of the Department’s unique responsibility for the health and safety of the youth and unborn child, if the youth refuses to notify her parents, the facility superintendent, program director, or designee shall consult with the regional general counsel’s office if the situation is serious.
No. Parental consent to provide a youth Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Motrin), anti-indigestion medications (e.g., Pepto Bismol), antacids (i.e., Milk of Magnesia, Maalox), Triple Antibiotic Ointment, and Diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) is obtained when the parent signs the Authority for Evaluation and Treatment (AET). Additional Over-the-Counter medications require a separate Parental Notification or consent.