Applications for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services

Contact: Phyllis Jones (202 631-3077

(Washington, DC) –The District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is extending the period to submit a certification application for the following services as defined by Title 22-A, D.C. Municipal Regulation, Chapter 34 “Mental Health Rehabilitation Services Provider Certification Standards” and Title 22-A, D.C. Municipal Regulation, Chapter 63 “Certification Standards For Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Providers.”  Certification applications will be accepted only for services indicated below during the specified time periods.

Applications for certification will be accepted through October 31, 2017 for the following services:

• Core Service Agency to provide mental health and substance use disorder services;
• Children and youth evidenced-based practices: Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP-FV), Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Multi-systemic Therapy (MST) from new and existing core service agencies;
• Youth substance use disorder residential services, and 
• Supported Employment.

Applications for certification will be accepted through November 30, 2017 for the following services:

•  Assertive Community Treatment (ACT);
• Children and youth evidenced-based practice: Functional Family Therapy (FFT), and
• Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). 

Prospective providers can obtain a certification application form by contacting Christine Phillips at (202) 299-5354 or [email protected].  A completed application can be mailed or hand-delivered to the Department of Behavioral Health, attn: Christine Phillips, 64 New York Avenue NE, Third Floor, Washington, DC 20002, or emailed to [email protected].  

The Moratorium on processing certification applications for all other Mental Health Rehabilitation Services (MHRS), effective August 18, 2012, will remain in effect.  The moratorium on processing applications for all other Substance Use Disorder (SUD) programs and facilities, effective May 2, 2014, also remains in effect.  Applications received for other MHRS or SUD services not covered in this Notice will be returned to the applicant and will not be reviewed or processed by DBH.  

This notice is solely for parties interested in certification. Obtaining certification does not guarantee that the applicant will receive a Human Care Agreement.  A Human Care Agreement, if available in the future, is subject to availability of funds.  Additionally, a provider must meet all contract requirements as determined by the District of Columbia Office of Contracting and Procurement prior to receiving a Human Care Agreement.

All questions regarding this Notice should be directed to Atiya Frame-Shamblee, Deputy 
Director of Accountability, [email protected]; or (202) 673-2245. 

The Department of Behavioral Health offers a wide range of behavioral health services and supports for adults, children and youth, and their families.  Mobile emergency crisis teams also provide on-site treatment for adults or children experiencing a psychiatric or emotional crisis. To find a community-based provider that meets your needs, a District resident can call the Access Helpline at 1-888-793-4357 anytime seven days a week.