Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between “Crisis Outreach Services”, “Crisis Relief Centers (CRC)” and “Crisis Stabilization Units (CRU)”
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Behavioral health outpatient crisis services – Crisis Outreach WAC 246-341-0901 23-hour crisis relief center services WAC 246-341-0903 Crisis stabilization unit WAC 246-341-1140 Outpatient - Yes Outpatient - Yes Outpatient - No RTF License - No RTF License - No RTF License - Yes CRS Review - No CRS Review - Yes CRS Review - Yes Recliners - Yes Recliners - Yes Recliners - No 23 hour - Yes 23 hour - (with exceptions) 23 hour - No - What is the process for opening a Crisis Relief Center?
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All facilities request a license to perform a certain service. These service types are considered a ‘Certification’ under the Behavioral Health Agency license. A CRC, is one such ‘certification’ that is part of a Behavioral Health Agency (BHA) license. The BHA license application, requesting certification as a CRC, may be made in concert with other applications and more than one certification may be requested at the time of licensure.
The Crisis Relief Center is a specific type of facility that must be built to specific standards (see WAC 246-341-0903 (5)-(8) ). Note: There is a requirement for a pre-submission conference with the department for projects with a construction value of $250,000 or more.
- Can a CRC serve both Youth and Adults?
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Yes. So long as there are separate internal entrances, spaces and treatment areas such that no contact occurs between minor and adult 23-hour crisis relief center admissions.
Note: A CRC may serve adults only or minors only as well and it must be designated as ‘adult’, ‘minor’ or both on the BHA certification along with the number of recliners used for each and total.
- Are the WAC Rules different for the adult and minor populations?
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Yes, and the differences can be significant. Rules related to the Adult CRC have been approved and went into effect in September of 2024. The WAC rules for the ‘Minor CRC’ are in process and are set to go into effect sometime in 2025.
The CRC is a ’23-hour’ facility. Are there any exceptions to the ’23-hour’ rule?
In certain circumstances, there are exceptions. A person may stay up to a maximum of 36 hours when:
- an admission is waiting on a designated crisis responder evaluation
- an admission is making an imminent transition to another setting as part of an established aftercare plan, including a minor who is:
- allegedly abandoned according to RCW 13.34.030(1), and is receiving support from Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF);
- transitioning to an alternative placement option; or
- a dependent of the state who is transitioning to a DCYF placement.
- What are the laws and WACs related to CRC’s?
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The law was enacted in 2024: RCW 71.24.916: 23-hour crisis relief centers—Licensing and certification—Rules—Standards.
A CRC is an outpatient facility and only needs a BHA license with the proper certification.
More information and applications can be found: Behavioral Health Agencies (BHA) | Washington State Department of Health
- Can a CRC be in the same building as a CSU?
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Yes, but they must maintain separation. Multiple facilities can be under the same roof or on the same campus but they are licensed as separate facilities under the same Behavioral Health Agency (BHA).
- Can a person be sent involuntarily to a CRC?
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No. The process for initiating involuntary treatment is specifically detailed here:
- Can a person be committed to involuntary treatment from a CRC?
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Yes. If there is a reason to believe that a person meets criteria for involuntary treatment, a Designated Crisis Responder may be called to the CRC to evaluate whether the person meets criteria for involuntary treatment. If DRC decides that the person meets criteria, the person must be transferred to the appropriate facility. If the person is seen to not meet criteria, they must be discharged and/or offered a higher level of care as a voluntary admission.
- Is a CRC required to have a seclusion and restraint room?
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No. A CRC may have a seclusion and restraint room but it is not a requirement. If a seclusion and restraint room is utilized, the CRC must follow the appropriate guidelines found in Chapter 246-337 WAC.
- Is a CRC required to be a “secure” facility?
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No. A CRC is considered a voluntary, non-secure facility. There may be delayed egress but the persons must be allowed to leave on their own accord.
- If the person is believed to be a ‘danger to self’, a ‘danger to others’ or ‘gravely disable’, does a CRC have the right to restrain them until a DCR can evaluate them?
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No. All efforts may be made to detain them voluntarily, though, if they wish to leave, they must be allowed to. If there is still concern, authorities may be alerted to the person's conditions and whereabouts.
- The FGI guidelines appear to be for an inpatient facility and a CRC is an outpatient facility, is this a misprint?
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No. Due to the requirement in RCW 71.24.916 that the CRC allows for a person to remain in the facility past the 24 hour mark requires the inpatient guidelines be used. The RCW does dictate that “Exceptions to the time limit made under this subsection shall not cause a 23-hour crisis relief center to be classified as a residential treatment facility under RCW 71.12.455” but that does not encompass building codes that require the facility to be seen as an “inpatient” facility. The Department will continue to view the facility under “outpatient” BHA rules and will not apply RTF standards except where specifically noted in rule.