Community Crisis Stabilization Services for Adults (ACS)

(1) Adult Crisis Stabilization (ACS) is a sub-acute community-based mental health treatment service for adults with mental illness, substance use disorder or comorbid mental illness and substance use disorders who are in need of staff-secure, safe and structured short-term crisis stabilization and treatment in a 24-hour unlocked community treatment setting. ACS serves as a medically necessary, less restrictive and voluntary alternative to inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Although this service is primarily designed as an alternative to and diversion from inpatient care, it may also be used as a transition from an inpatient setting, provided there is sufficient capacity, and the admission criteria are met. (2) The primary objective of ACS is to restore or improve functioning; strengthen the resources and capacities of the person served and family or other natural supports; provide a timely return to a natural, least restrictive setting; develop a crisis/safety and wellness/recovery plan; and facilitate linkages to medically necessary services and supports. While the anticipated length of stay for this service is seven days or less, a person's actual length of stay is based on the documented clinical assessment. (3) Minimum service components shall include crisis prevention, stabilization and treatment by a multidisciplinary team; initial and continuing bio-psychosocial assessment; care coordination; psychiatric evaluation and medication management, including bridging and induction onto FDA approved medication(s) to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) as clinically appropriate; peer support and/or other recovery-oriented services including relapse prevention and recovery maintenance counseling and education; mobilization of and coordination with family and other natural supports, community treaters, and other resources; and psycho-education, including providing education and information about recovery, wellness, crisis self-management, and how to access wellness and recovery services available in the person's specific community. (4) Admission Criteria. Persons who meet the following criteria may be admitted to an adult Class I licensed service: (a) The person must be 18 years of age or older. (b) The person must demonstrate symptoms consistent with a diagnosis specified within the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which can reasonably be expected to respond to short term, structured treatment intervention.