Medication Administrative Training

Under New York State regulations, day care providers, who give medication to a child in their care, must complete Medication Administrative Training before being allowed to administer oral or topical medication, giving any inhaled medications, applying medicated patches, and before administering eye, ear and emergency injections of epinephrine through auto-injector devices.

The Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes assists providers by providing Medication Assistance Training (MAT), so that providers may administer medication in their child care setting.  Providers receive certification after successful completion of the training session.

MAT certification allows the provider to administer medication according to New York State regulations only in a child care setting and allows the provider to identify the language in which they may receive medication administration instructions and parental permissions.  The certificate becomes void and not valid if not renewed or if the provider decides to leave the child care field for a period of more than one year.

In 2005, New York State Office of Children and Family Services passed a new regulation about the issuance of medications to children in day care settings. 
Before a Child Care Provider can administer medication in their day care setting,
the following must be in place before he/she is authorized to administer medication. 

1. The provider must be at least 18 years old
2. The provider must have current First Aid and CPR that covers the ages of the children in their care.
3. The provider must have successfully completed the approved Office of Children and Family Services MAT course.
4. The provider must have a health care plan.
5. The health care plan must specifically identify the program’s policy for administration of medication and name the child care provider as the sole authorized source to administer medication to children in a child care setting
6. The health care plan must be approved by a Health Care Consultant. And the plan must be approved by the child care provider’s licensor or registrar.

Is Anyone Exempt from MAT Training?

1. Parents, guardians and relatives of a child “within the third degree of consanguinity of the parents or step-parents of a child” may be exempt, even if such a person is an employee of the chosen child care program, and are not prevented from administering medication to a child even if the program has chosen not to administer medication or if the staff person designated to administer the medication is not present when the child receives the medication.”

 

2. Any individual who holds a valid New York State license as a physician, physician assistant, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, practical nurse, and advanced emergency medical technician is not required to attend the MAT course.