Protocols, Procedures & Screening Guidance
Assessment of Virginia’s Emergency Evaluators Qualifications, Training and Oversight (SB261, 2014) (December 1, 2014) - This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Bill 261 (Chapter 364, 2014 Acts of Assembly) and House Bill 1216 (Chapter 292, 2014 Acts of Assembly). These identical bills required the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to study the qualifications of community services board (CSB) designees authorized by the Code of Virginia to perform evaluations of individuals who are subject to emergency custody orders and to report its findings and recommendations.
Medical Screening and Medical Assessment Guidance and Medical Capabilities Form (April 1, 2014) - Guidance for state and private psychiatric inpatient facilities, hospital emergency departments, CSB providers and others to support a common understanding of medical screening and assessment to delineate clearly the responsibilities and expectations for medical screening and medical assessment among key partners and to support consistent application of medical screening and medical assessment procedures by all parties in responding to persons with psychiatric disorders in emergency situations. Medical Screening and Medical Assessment Guidance and Medical Capabilities Form
Regional Admission Policy and Procedures - There are seven regional partnerships in Virginia comprised of area CSBs, state mental health facility directors and local partners such as private hospitals, law enforcement and judicial officers. With state guidance, the regions develop policies for the use of regional private and state psychiatric beds in emergency situations. This document contains policies for all seven regions.
Discharge Protocols for CSBs and Mental Health Facilities - The following discharge protocols are designed to provide consistent direction and coordination of those activities required of state hospitals and community services boards (CSBs) in the development and implementation of discharge planning. The activities delineated in these protocols are based on or referenced in the Code of Virginia or the community services performance contract. In these protocols, the term CSB includes local government departments with a policy-advisory CSBs, established pursuant to § 37.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, and the behavioral health authority, established pursuant to § 37.2-601 et seq. of the Code of Virginia.
Adult Discharge Protocols for CSBs and Mental Health Facilities
Child and Adolescent Discharge Protocols for CSBs and Mental Health Facilities
2008 Requirements for CSB Evaluators and Independent Examiners
2008 Required Training Program for CSB Evaluators and Independent Examiners
2016 Enhanced Qualification and Certification for Preadmission Screening Clinicians -Virginia law requires that Community Services Boards and Behavioral Health Authorities evaluators who provide recommendations and prepare preadmission screening reports for the courts pursuant to Article 16 of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1, Chapters 11 and 11.1 of Title 19.2, and Chapter 8 of Title 37.2 in the Code of Virginia must complete a certification program approved by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). These new requirements enhance the standards for pre-service education, specify levels of required continuing education and clinical supervision, increase standards for those who provide this supervision and specify a lengthy orientation process prior to certification. In addition to enhancing the qualification of evaluators and their supervisors, these new requirements increase oversight and establish quality review criteria to increase consistency and assure ongoing quality improvement efforts.