PROVIDING IMMEDIATE, SHORT-TERM SUPPORT TO STABILIZE INDIVIDUALS IN BEHAVIORAL OR EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) – Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH)
Role: Regulates behavioral health crisis services and reimburses Medicaid-eligible interventions

Agency: Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA)
Role: Authorizes Medicaid billing for approved crisis service providers under state plan and waiver programs

Agency: Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS)
Role: Coordinates crisis services for individuals with developmental disabilities under the Lifespan Waiver

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Ensures crisis services meet HCBS and Medicaid standards for community-based, person-centered response

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2. CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Crisis Intervention Services are designed to de-escalate immediate behavioral or emotional crises and connect individuals with appropriate supports. Services may be mobile, in-home, telephonic, or in a community setting, and must be accessible 24/7.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Mobile response and in-home behavioral de-escalation
• Crisis stabilization planning and short-term behavioral support
• Telephonic or virtual crisis counseling and safety checks
• Coordination with emergency services, law enforcement, or psychiatric facilities
• Referral to long-term services and wraparound supports
• Documentation of intervention, resolution strategies, and outcomes

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Delaware Division of Corporations
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Employ or contract licensed clinicians (LPC, LCSW, Psychologist, or other approved mental health professionals)
• Apply as a Medicaid behavioral health provider through the Delaware Medical Assistance Portal (DMAP)
• If serving DDDS participants, complete Lifespan Waiver Crisis Provider Application
• Maintain 24/7 availability and a HIPAA-compliant documentation system
• Carry liability, malpractice, and general business insurance

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4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Business Setup

• Register business, obtain NPI, and ensure licensure for all clinical staff

Step 2: Medicaid Enrollment (DMAP)

• Apply via the Delaware Medical Assistance Portal for behavioral health services
• Submit licensure, service descriptions, and staff credentials

Step 3: DDDS Lifespan Waiver Application (if applicable)

• Apply with supporting documentation on crisis intervention structure and aftercare planning

Step 4: Emergency Systems Coordination

• Establish relationships with DSAMH, local police, hospitals, and crisis call centers

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or business registration
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• Staff licensure and background checks
• Medicaid approval and/or DDDS contract

Policy & procedure manual including:

• Crisis response protocol and triage system
• Safety planning and follow-up documentation
• Suicide prevention and emergency medical coordination
• Client consent, HIPAA forms, and privacy policy
• Staff training logs for de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and abuse prevention
• Incident reporting and resolution tracking
• On-call coverage schedule and mobile response procedures

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Crisis Clinician / Behavioral Health Professional
Requirements:

• Active Delaware license (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, Psychologist, or equivalent)
• Crisis response experience and trauma-informed care training
• Background check and CPR certification

Role: Crisis Technician / Support Aide (if applicable)
Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Trained and supervised by a licensed clinician
• Behavioral health experience and crisis intervention certification preferred

Training Requirements for All Staff:

• De-escalation and trauma-informed care
• HIPAA and client confidentiality
• Suicide prevention and emergency protocols
• Mandated reporting and abuse prevention
• Documentation and incident tracking

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Crisis Intervention Services are reimbursed under:

• Delaware Medicaid State Plan Behavioral Health Services
• Lifespan Waiver (for individuals with developmental disabilities)
• DSAMH-funded crisis initiatives (for uninsured or dual-eligible individuals)

Approved providers may deliver:

• 24/7 mobile or telephonic crisis support
• In-home or community-based stabilization
• Short-term follow-up and referral coordination
• Documentation aligned with person-centered safety and recovery plans

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation
Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: Staff Licensing and Medicaid Enrollment
Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Crisis Policy Development and Referral Network Setup
Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: 24/7 Coverage and System Integration
Timeline: Ongoing

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Delaware Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance (DMMA)
Phone: (302) 255-9500
Website: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma

Delaware Behavioral Health (DSAMH)
Phone: (302) 255-9399
Website: https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dsamh

Delaware Medicaid Provider Enrollment (DMAP)
Website: https://www.demap.dhss.delaware.gov

10. SCOPE OF WORK 

• Business registration (LLC, EIN, NPI)
• Medicaid and waiver provider enrollment support
• Policy & procedure manual for mobile response, safety, and documentation
• Templates for intake, safety plans, follow-up logs, and incident reports
• Website, domain, and email setup
• Staff credentialing trackers and clinical supervision forms
• Client intake packet, HIPAA forms, and referral pathways
• On-call scheduling templates and audit preparation tools
• Referral networking with hospitals, police, DDDS, and call centers

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — DELAWARE CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES PROVIDER

We help behavioral health clinicians and agencies launch 24/7 Medicaid-approved Crisis Services under Delaware’s HCBS and behavioral health frameworks.