DHS 34.22(4)(c)(c) The county department of the local county may designate a stabilization site as a receiving facility for emergency detention under s. 51.15, Stats., provided that the site meets the applicable standards under this chapter.

DHS 34.22(5)(5) Other services. Programs may offer additional services, such as information and referral or peer to peer support designed to address needs identified in the coordinated emergency mental health services plan under sub. (1), but the additional services may not be provided in lieu of the services under sub. (3).

DHS 34.22(6)(6) Services provided under contract by other providers. If any service under subs. (3) to (5) is provided under contract by another provider, the program shall maintain written documentation of the specific person or organization who has agreed to provide the service and a copy of the formal agreement for assistance.

DHS 34.22(7)(7) Services in combined emergency services programs. Counties may choose to operate emergency service programs which combine the delivery of emergency mental health services with other emergency services, such as those related to the abuse of alcohol or other drugs, those related to accidents, fires or natural disasters, or those for children believed to be at risk because of abuse or neglect, if the services identified in sub. (3) are available as required and are delivered by qualified staff.

DHS 34.22 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, September, 1996, No. 489, eff. 10-1-96; correction in (3) (c) 4. made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register October 2004 No. 586; correction in (1) (a) 6. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; CR 23-053: am. (1) (a) 8. a., (3) (b) (intro.), cr. (3) (b) 4., am. (3) (c) 3., cr. (3) (c) 5., am. (5) Register September 2023 No. 813, eff. 10-1-23.

DHS 34.23(1)(1) Eligibility for services. To receive emergency mental health services, a person shall be in a mental health crisis or be in a situation which is likely to develop into a crisis if supports are not provided.

DHS 34.23(2)(2) Written policies. A program shall have written policies which describe all of the following:

DHS 34.23(2)(a)(a) The procedures to be followed when assessing the needs of a person who requests or is referred to the program for emergency mental health services and for planning and implementing an appropriate response based on the assessment.

DHS 34.23(2)(b)(b) Adjustments to the general procedures which will be followed when a person referred for services has a sensory, cognitive, physical or communicative impairment which requires an adaptation or accommodation in conducting the assessment or delivering services or when a person’s language or form of communication is one in which staff of the program are not fluent.

DHS 34.23(2)(d)(d) Criteria for deciding when emergency mental health services are needed and for determining the type of service to be provided.

DHS 34.23(2)(e)(e) Procedures to be followed for referral to other programs when a decision is made that a person’s condition does not constitute an actual or imminent mental health crisis.

DHS 34.23(2)(f)(f) Procedures for obtaining immediate backup or a more thorough evaluation when the staff person or persons making the initial contact require additional assistance.

DHS 34.23(2)(g)(g) Procedures for coordinating referrals, for providing and receiving backup and for exchanging information with other mental health service providers in the county, including the development of crisis plans for individuals who are at high risk for crisis.

DHS 34.23(2)(h)(h) Criteria for deciding when the situation requires a face-to-face response, the use of mobile crisis services, stabilization services, if available, or hospitalization.

DHS 34.23(2)(i)(i) Criteria and procedures for notifying other persons, such as family members and people with whom the person is living, that he or she may be at risk of harming himself or herself or others.

DHS 34.23(2)(j)(j) If the program dispenses psychotropic medication, procedures governing the prescription and administration of medications to clients and for monitoring the response of clients to their medications.

DHS 34.23(2)(k)(k) Procedures for reporting deaths of clients which appear to be the result of suicide, reaction to psychotropic medications or the use of physical restraints or seclusion, as required by s. 51.64 (2), Stats., and for:

DHS 34.23(2)(k)1.1. Supporting and debriefing family members, staff and other concerned persons who have been affected by the death of a client.

DHS 34.23(2)(k)2.2. Conducting a clinical review of the death which includes getting the views of a mental health professional not directly involved in the individual’s treatment who has the training and experience necessary to adequately examine the specific circumstances surrounding the death.

DHS 34.23(3)(3) Initial contact. During an initial contact with an individual who may be experiencing a mental health crisis, staff of the program shall gather sufficient information, as appropriate and possible given the nature of the contact, to assess the individual’s need for emergency mental health services and to prepare and implement a response plan, including but not limited to any available information regarding:

DHS 34.23(3)(b)(b) The circumstances resulting in the contact with the program, any events that may have led up to the contact, the apparent severity of the immediate problem and the potential for harm to self or others.

DHS 34.23(3)(c)(c) The primary concerns of the individual or a person making the initial contact on behalf of the individual.

DHS 34.23(3)(d)(d) The individual’s current mental status and physical condition, any over-the-counter, prescription or illicit drugs the individual may have taken, prior incidents of drug reaction or suicidal behavior and any history of the individual’s abuse of alcohol or other drugs.

DHS 34.23(3)(e)(e) If the individual is threatening to harm self or others, the specificity and apparent lethality of the threat and the availability of the means to carry out the threat, including the individual’s access to any weapon or other object which may be used for doing harm.

DHS 34.23(3)(f)(f) If the individual appears to have been using alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or illicit drugs, the nature and amount of the substance ingested.

DHS 34.23(3)(g)(g) The names of any people who are or who might be available to support the individual, such as friends, family members or current or past mental health service providers.