​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Mental Health Licensing​ Branch

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The Mental Health Licensing (MHL) Branch of the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is responsible for the licensing and oversight of mental health programs on a statewide basis, ranging from acute to long-term programs. MHL Branch is responsible for implementing and maintaining a system to ensure compliance with licensing requirements, as specified in state statutes, for the entire range of 24-hour psychiatric and rehabilitation care facilities, including Mental Health Rehabilitation Centers (MHRCs), Psychiatric Health Facilities (PHFs) and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs). MHL Branch responsibilities include the implementation of civil and monetary sanctions, including cease and desist orders, on DHCS' licensed mental health facilities, as well as procedures for the appeal of an administrative action. MHL Branch is also responsible for the approval of 5150 facilities designated by the counties throughout the State of California for the purpose of 72-hour treatment and evaluation under Welfare and Institutions Code (W&I) Code section 5150 of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and the Children's Civil Commitment and Mental Health Treatment Act, W&I Code sections 5585.50/5585.55. Additionally, MHL Branch is responsible for conducting Institution for Mental Disease (IMD) determinations for facilities in accordance with the IMD guidelines issued in sections 4390 and 4390.1 of the State Medicaid Manual. To initiate the IMD determination process, please contact MHL Branch via phone at (916) 323-1864 or email at mhimd@dhcs.ca.gov​.

File a Complaint

Any person may submit a complaint to DHCS concerning the operation of an MHRC, PHF, or PRTF. To file a complaint against an MHRC, PHF, or PRTF, please fill out the online Complaint Form​ and click “Submit” at the bottom of the page.

​​​Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program-IMD

Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs) are defined as residential facilities that provide an integrated program of specialized and intensive care and supervision, services and supports, treatment, and short-term, 24-hour care and supervision to children. STRTPs are licensed by the California Department of Social Services; however, DHCS is responsible for overseeing the approval of the mental health program. Although DHCS has oversight for the mental health program approval, some counties have been delegated the authority to issue a mental health program approval to STRTPs within their borders.

DHCS has been tasked with conducting IMD determinations for all STRTPs. The STRTP-IMD F​AQs were developed to give additional guidance to STRTP providers regarding the IMD determination assessment tool based on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines. The CMS guidelines are found in sections 4390 and 4390.1 of the State Medicaid Manual.​