FSPP APPENDIX-VIII METHAMPHETAMINE PROTOCOL 06/18/2004                               

VIII. PROTOCOL FOR FAMILY SERVICE WORKERS - Responding To
Methamphetamine And Meth Lab Exposure Of Children

1. If you discover a meth lab or suspect that you have come across chemicals being used to make
methamphetamine during a home visit or child maltreatment investigation, leave the house, depart the
immediate area, contact law enforcement and call the Hotline to report the child maltreatment.

2. Remain away from the house until after law enforcement has responded to your call and secured the
house and the people inside.

3. Advise the law enforcement officers about any children that are in the house.

4. Do not enter the house as you may risk contaminating yourself.

5. If you are called to a meth lab site by law enforcement, respond to the call, but do not enter the house.

6. Be sure to put on a pair of disposable Nitrile gloves.

7. When the child(ren) are brought out of the house, touch them only with your gloved hands. Discuss
with law enforcement the children’s estimated level of contamination and what degree of
decontamination is needed.

8. If the law enforcement officers or other personnel at the scene have decontamination equipment, allow
them to decontaminate the children. If there is no decontamination equipment on site, drape a noncontaminated
material (e.g., blanket or plastic) around the child(ren) like a cape, head to foot before
placing the children in any vehicle. (You will need to keep a blanket or plastic sheeting in your car for
use in these cases.) Ensure that the children have something on which to rest their feet.

9. Transport the child(ren) to an appropriate medical facility previously identified in the city/county
where they can be medically examined, tested for exposure and decontaminated, if still necessary.
Remember that part of the reason for the medical examination is to collect evidence that the children
have been exposed to methamphetamine and/or the chemicals used in a meth lab.

10. When decontamination, medical testing and medical examination have been completed, follow the
appropriate DCFS policies and procedures for placing the child(ren) in out-of-home care.

11. If the children have not yet been decontaminated, be sure to advise the foster parents of the immediate
need to shower or bathe the children with soap and water. Also instruct the foster parents to clean
their shower or bathtub with dishwashing liquid and water afterward. Advise the foster parents to
dispose of the children’s contaminated clothes. Do not try to wash the clothes, as this will spread the
contamination.

12. Advise the foster parents of the immediate need for some new clothes since the child(ren) were not
allowed to bring anything (clothes, toys, etc.) from the meth lab sight. In accordance with the Family
Foster Parent Handbook (PUB-30, page 29 Initial Clothing Order) the Family Service Worker (FSW)
will assess, with the foster parent, which items of clothing are needed and issue the authorized amount
of clothing allowance. Purchases will be made using the DHS-1914 process. The FSW will
accompany the foster parent to the store to approve the purchase.

Return to Child Protection