Crisis mental health stabilization services include short-term (less than two weeks per episode) face-to-face assistance with life skills training and understanding of medication effects on an individual. Stabilization services may be provided to an individual as a follow-up to crisis services provided or to any individual determined by a mental health professional to need additional stabilization services. In addition to meeting the general requirements for crisis services in WAC 246-341-0900, an agency certified to provide crisis stabilization services must:

(1) Ensure the services are provided by a mental health professional, or under the supervision of a mental health professional;

(2) Ensure the services are provided in a setting that provides for the safety of the individual and agency staff;

(3) Have a written plan for training, staff back-up, information sharing, and communication for staff members who are providing stabilization services in an individual's private home or in a nonpublic setting;

(4) Have a protocol for requesting a copy of an individual's crisis plan;

(5) Ensure that a staff member responding to a crisis is able to be accompanied by a second trained individual when services are provided in the individual's home or other nonpublic location;

(6) Ensure that any staff member who engages in home visits is provided by their employer with a wireless telephone, or comparable device, for the purpose of emergency communication as described in RCW 71.05.710;

(7) Have a written protocol that allows for the referral of an individual to a voluntary or involuntary treatment facility;

(8) Have a written protocol for the transportation of an individual in a safe and timely manner, when necessary; and

(9) Document all crisis stabilization response contacts, including identification of the staff person(s) who responded.