PROVIDING URGENT SUPPORT TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL CRISES AND PROMOTE RECOVERY AND STABILITY

Crisis Stabilization Services in Georgia are short-term, intensive supports designed to assist individuals experiencing behavioral, emotional, or psychiatric crises. These services are authorized under Georgia’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs and other Medicaid-funded behavioral health programs, aiming to prevent unnecessary hospitalization and restore participants to their prior level of functioning in the community.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)
Role: Administers Crisis Stabilization Services and monitors provider compliance for individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs

Agency: Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)
Role: Oversees Medicaid enrollment, service authorization, and reimbursement for Crisis Stabilization Services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight ensuring Crisis Stabilization Services meet Medicaid HCBS and behavioral health standards

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2. CRISIS STABILIZATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Crisis Stabilization Services are short-term, structured services intended to:

• Rapidly de-escalate behavioral health crises
• Provide intensive supervision and therapeutic interventions
• Ensure participant safety during periods of instability
• Stabilize acute psychiatric symptoms
• Prevent unnecessary hospitalization or institutionalization
• Facilitate smooth transitions back to natural home settings or less restrictive environments

Approved providers may deliver:

• 24-hour supervision and monitoring
• Psychiatric evaluation and medication management (in licensed settings)
• Intensive behavioral support and therapeutic interventions
• Crisis counseling and emotional support
• Development of crisis intervention plans and relapse prevention strategies
• Coordination with families, case managers, and community supports

Settings may include facility-based Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs), mobile crisis response teams, or community-based stabilization services depending on the participant's need.

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Georgia Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Obtain Behavioral Health Facility License through the Georgia Department of Community Health – Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) if operating a licensed Crisis Stabilization Unit
• Complete DBHDD Provider Enrollment for crisis service delivery
• Maintain professional, general liability, and property insurance
• Employ licensed mental health clinicians (LPCs, LCSWs, psychologists, psychiatrists) and crisis-trained staff
• Develop policies addressing emergency response, de-escalation, restraint/seclusion protocols (if applicable), and participant rights protections

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4. DBHDD/DCH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Submit Letter of Intent to DBHDD for Crisis Stabilization Services
• Complete pre-qualification checklist including business registration, insurance, facility requirements (if applicable), and staffing models

Application and Documentation Submission:

• Submit Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, clinical staff credentials, operational policies, and sample crisis intervention plans
• Provide safety plans, emergency evacuation procedures, and behavioral support templates

Program Readiness Review:

• DBHDD conducts a comprehensive readiness review, including facility inspections (for CSUs) or programmatic audits (for community-based models)

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• After DBHDD approval, complete Medicaid enrollment through GAMMIS
• Configure billing codes specific to Crisis Stabilization Services (short-term intensive supports)

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Georgia Secretary of State)
• IRS EIN confirmation
• NPI confirmation
• Behavioral Health Facility License (if operating a facility-based CSU)
• Proof of insurance coverage (professional, general, property)

DBHDD-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Participant intake, triage assessment, and crisis intervention planning
• Crisis stabilization service delivery models and staffing plans
• De-escalation techniques, restraint/seclusion protocols (if allowed)
• Psychiatric support and medication management protocols (facility-based services)
• HIPAA confidentiality, participant rights, and grievance procedures
• Staff credentialing, background screening, and clinical competency documentation
• Medicaid billing, service tracking, and incident reporting systems

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Crisis Stabilization Program Manager / Clinical Supervisor
Requirements: Licensed mental health professional (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, psychologist); supervisory experience preferred; background screening clearance

Role: Mental Health Clinicians / Behavioral Health Specialists
Requirements: Georgia licensure or certification (as applicable); experience in crisis intervention; background screening clearance

Role: Psychiatrist or Nurse Practitioner (for psychiatric services in facility-based programs)
Requirements: Georgia licensure; experience with acute behavioral health crises

Role: Direct Support Staff / Behavioral Health Aides
Requirements: High school diploma or GED minimum; crisis intervention and de-escalation training; background screening clearance

All staff must complete:

• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or equivalent de-escalation training
• HIPAA confidentiality, participant rights, and abuse prevention training
• Emergency preparedness and incident reporting training
• Annual refreshers in behavioral health crisis management and documentation

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Georgia Medicaid Waivers and Programs authorize Crisis Stabilization Services:

• Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP) (for developmental disabilities)
• New Options Waiver Program (NOW) (for developmental disabilities)
• Medicaid Behavioral Health State Plan Services (for general mental health crisis care)
• Mobile Crisis Response and Stabilization Programs (for children and adults)

Approved providers may deliver:

• Facility-based stabilization (short-term stays)
• Mobile crisis response and in-home de-escalation supports
• Crisis intervention planning, emotional support, and safety planning
• Linkage to ongoing behavioral health services and supports

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Licensing Setup
Timeline: 2–3 months (longer if setting up a facility)

Phase: DBHDD Crisis Provider Application and Readiness Review
Timeline: 90–120 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Clinical Program Development
Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and Billing System Configuration
Timeline: 45–60 days

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)
Website: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/

Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)
Website: https://dch.georgia.gov/

Georgia Medicaid Management Information System (GAMMIS)
Website: https://www.mmis.georgia.gov/

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration and EIN/NPI setup
• DBHDD Provider Enrollment and facility licensing guidance
• Development of Crisis Stabilization Services Policy & Procedure Manual
• Staff credentialing templates and participant intake/crisis planning forms
• Medicaid billing setup and claims management
• Website, domain, and email setup
• Crisis triage, service documentation, and incident reporting templates
• Emergency preparedness, seclusion/restraint compliance (if applicable)
• Quality assurance and outcome tracking programs
• Community partnerships with hospitals, law enforcement, and behavioral

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — GEORGIA CRISIS STABILIZATION SERVICES PROVIDER

We support behavioral health providers, residential care organizations, and crisis response teams in launching Medicaid-compliant Crisis Stabilization Services under Georgia’s HCBS and Medicaid behavioral health programs.

To get started, click the link to request portal access.