The goal of Hillcrest’s informed consent policy and process is to establish a shared understanding between Hillcrest, the student, and the parent, guardian and/or public agency that has legal custody of the student, about the care, treatment, and services that the student will receive. This process allows each participating party to fully participate in informed decisions about the student’s care, treatment, and services.

HEC POLICIES & PRACTICES REQUIRING INFORMED CONSENT

The following policies and practices, among others, require informed consent:

• Behavior Management Policy
• Physical Restraint Policies and Procedures
• Student Immunizations – Hepatitis B vaccine; Varicella (Chickenpox) Virus vaccine; Meningococcal vaccine; DPT, MMR, IPV; Human Paillomavirus vaccine.
• Consent, Waiver and Release Agreement for Vaccinations and Immunizations (on religious grounds)
• Dental Treatment at Hillcrest Dental Care
• Athletics, Field Trips, Off Campus Trips
• Healthy Sexuality Curriculum

This list will be updated, as necessary with each revision of HEC Policies & Procedures.

For Mass students only, the following consents will be obtained annually during each student’s annual IEP review:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Medication administration
• When applicable: Human Sexuality Education

THE PROCESS USED TO OBTAIN INFORMED CONSENT

When a student who has been referred to a Hillcrest program is accepted, the Admission Dept. sends an Intake Packet to the parent, guardian and/or public agency that has custody of the student. Among other things, the packet contains information about each of the policies and practices that require informed consent, along with consent forms for these policies and practices. The recipient is also specifically informed about whom to contact at Hillcrest if there are questions, concerns or comments about any part of the Intake Packet, including the policies and practices that require informed consent.

Once returned, the documents in the Intake Packet become part of the student’s Case Record.

EXCEPTIONS TO OBTAINING INFORMED CONSENT

There are certain specific situations in which Hillcrest must make an exception to the informed consent policy, and/or may not be able to seek or receive consent for the release of certain kinds of information, because of the dire nature of the situations and the risk of harm to self or others.

Such situations include but are not limited to, for example, the threat of harm to self or others, and a reasonable suspicion of child or adult abuse.