CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES PROVIDER IN DELAWARE

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 7
4 min read

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

Crisis Intervention Services in Delaware offer rapid, time-limited support to individuals experiencing acute emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric crises. These services are critical to preventing hospitalization or institutionalization and are authorized under Delaware Medicaid, the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), and certain Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, including the Lifespan Waiver and services overseen by the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS).

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

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

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

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Business Setup

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

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

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

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

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

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

CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES PROVIDER IN DELAWARE

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.

Scope of Work: