The Office of the Commissioner - Institutional Review Board (OOC IRB) is constituted in order to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects participating in DMHAS sponsored or approved research.  The OOC IRB reviews research involving human subjects conducted in state operated facilities - including research sponsored by DMHAS and research sponsored by non-DMHAS institutions.           

OOC IRB policy, guidelines regarding filing an application for IRB approval as well as the necessary forms can be accessed online or from the OOC IRB office.    

• OOC IRB Policy (PDF version)  - MS Word version
• Guidelines for Investigators  (PDF version)  - MS Word version
• Applications and Forms for Use by Investigators
• Checklists for Use by IRB Members
• IRB Member List
• IRB Meeting Schedule
• List of OOC IRB Approved Studies  (PDF version)  - MS Word version

Mailing Address:
Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Institutional Review Board - Office of the Commissioner
Andrea Routh, IRB Chair
410 Capitol Avenue , PO 341431
Hartford, CT 06134

Applications and Forms for Use by Investigators

Applications and other forms should be completed electronically on your PC using the Microsoft word version. Either a check box or a shaded area follows each question. For yes or no responses click on the desired box.  For questions requiring a narrative answer click onto the shaded area and enter your response. Save the application to one of your files and print out.  An electronic copy may be forwarded via email but must be followed by a signed hard copy.

• Application for IRB Approval   (PDF version)  - MS Word version
• Application for Continued Approval / Final Report (PDF version) - MS Word version
• Application For Approval Of Revision (PDF version) - MS Word version
• Application To Include Prisoners In Previously Approved Study (PDF version)  - MS Word version
• Report of Adverse Event (PDF version)  - MS Word version
• Report of Protocol Deviation (PDF version)  -  MS Word version
• Report of Study Related Complaint (PDF version)  - MS Word version
• Waiver of Consent / HIPAA Authorization  (PDF version)  - MS Word version

  Checklists for Use by IRB Members

• Initial Application  (PDF version)  - MS Word version
• Continuing Review   (PDF version)  - MS Word version
• Prisoner Participation (PDF version) - MS Word version
• Child Participation (PDF version) - MS Word version
• Exemption  (PDF version) - MS Word version
• Expedited Review  (PDF version) - MS Word version 

  IRB Membership List:

  IRB Meeting Schedule

The initial “Application for IRB Approval” should be submitted to the IRB by the first of the month in order to be scheduled for review during that month.   The investigator should contact the IRB chair to confirm the date at which the application will be reviewed.  

The “Application for Continuing Approval” should be submitted to the IRB on the first of the month during which the application will be reviewed. 

Principal Investigators are generally asked to be available by phone during the IRB meeting at which their study is reviewed in order to respond to any questions that may arise.