Crisis Stabilization Units
A Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) is a licensed facility that provides brief psychiatric intervention, primarily for low-income individuals with acute psychiatric conditions. Inpatient stays average 3 to 14 days, resulting in return to the patient’s own home, placement in a long-term mental health facility, or other living arrangements.
Health Facility Reporting System
The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) requires all licensees providing residential or inpatient services to use an Agency approved database for reporting its emergency status, planning or operations. The Agency approved database for reporting this information is the Health Facility Reporting System (HFRS).
Notices/Updates
None at this time
Short Term Residential Treatment Facilities (SRT)
SRTs may only admit adults and provide a step-down for residents of CSUs needing a more extended, but less intensive level of active treatment for psychiatric conditions. These programs were created to fill a service gap between CSUs and residential treatment facilities (RTFs).
Baker Act Receiving Facility
CSUs must be designated as a Baker Act Receiving Facility by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) prior to being licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Also, SRTs must be affiliated with a designated Baker Act Receiving Facility prior to being licensed. Information and applications for designation as a Baker Act Receiving Facility can be found on DCF's Substance Abuse & Mental Health web page.
Licensure Requirements
Facilities must meet license requirements through the submission of a completed application, required documentation, and completion of a satisfactory survey.
Initial Application
This includes new facilities and reactivation of an expired license. At least 60 days prior to the effective date, an applicant must submit a licensure application, fees and supporting documents. When all required information is received and acceptable, a licensure survey will be scheduled. A license will be issued when documentation of a successful licensure survey is complete and filed. Note: A valid license is required before services can be provided.
Renewal
The licensure application, renewal fee and supporting documents must be submitted to the Agency 120 to 60 days prior to the expiration date. A late fee of $50 per day, up to 50% of the licensure fee or $500 (whichever is less) will be assessed for any application not received 60 days prior to expiration. A renewal application will not be accepted if the license is expired. An initial license application must be filed if the license has expired. Renew Online – All renewal applicants must apply online by submitting the online licensure application, fees, and supporting documents electronically through the Agency's Online Portal.
Change of Ownership (CHOW)
Chapter 408.803, Florida Statutes defines "Change of ownership" as: an event in which 51 percent or more of the ownership, shares, membership, or controlling interest of a licensee is in any manner transferred or otherwise assigned. This does not apply to a licensee that is publicly traded on a recognized stock exchange. Also, a change solely in the management company or board of directors is not a change of ownership.
The licensure application, fee and supporting documents (see application checklist) must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the change of ownership. Before the application can be approved, any outstanding fees owed the State (owed by either party) must be paid and a bill of sale or other closing document signed by the buyer and the seller and showing the effective date of the transfer must be received by the Agency.
Other Change During the Licensure Period
A change of physical address requires submission of an application and documentation verifying the applicant’s right to occupy the premises at the new address (i.e. warranty or quit claim deed; lease or rental agreement.). If the move results in a change of county, documentation verifying the Department of Children and Families supports the relocation, has funding appropriated to support the beds and if funding is recurring or non-recurring must be provided.
A bed change requires submission of an application. If adding beds to the current license, the per bed license fee must accompany the application and documentation verifying the Department of Children and Families supports the addition of beds, has funding appropriated to support the beds, and identifies if funding is recurring or non-recurring. A license authorizing the additional beds will be issued when all documentation is received. Please note a valid license is required before the additional beds can be utilized.
Online Licensure – In addition to submitting license renewal applications online, licensees may also submit changes during the licensure period. Changes to the fictitious name, address, capacity, and personnel can be submitted by going to the online portal and creating a new application. Contact the licensure unit for additional information.
Voluntary Termination of a License
A licensee must inform the agency not less than 30 days prior to the discontinuance of operation and comply with the requirements listed in Chapter 408.810(4), Florida Statutes.
Accreditation Requirements
Accreditation is voluntary. Accredited CSUs and SRTs meeting section 394.741, Florida Statute, may be "deemed" to be in compliance with the licensure requirements. Deemed CSUs & SRTs are not scheduled for routine on-site licensure surveys. Facilities must provide a complete copy of the most recent survey report indicating continuation as an accredited facility in lieu of inspections. The survey report should include correspondence from the accrediting organization containing:
- The beginning and expiration dates of the survey,
- The accreditation status,
- Type of accreditation,
- Any citations to which the accreditation organization requires a response,
- A response to each citation,
- The effective date of accreditation, and
- Any follow up reports.
Pursuant to section 394.90, Florida Statute, this report will become part of the facility file maintained by our office and therefore will be considered public record. Facilities no longer accredited or granted accreditation status other than accredited or fail to submit the requested documentation will be scheduled for annual licensure surveys to be conducted by Agency field office staff.
Statutory Authority: Section 408.811(2) and 394.741, Florida Statutes
| Accrediting Organization | Web Address | Deemed for State Licensure |
|---|---|---|
| Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) | https://www.carf.org/ | Yes |
| Council on Accreditation (COA) | https://coanet.org/ | Yes |
| The Joint Commission (TJC) | https://www.jointcommission.org/ | Yes |
Applications and Forms
| Form Number | Name | For | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHCA Form 3180-1003 | Online Licensure Health Care Licensing Application | All application types | Standard application required to apply for or modify a CSU/SRT license. Providers can use online licensure to submit renewal and change during licensure applications. |
| AHCA Form 3110-1024 | Application Addendum | Initial Renewal CHOW | Please provide this information to comply with the reporting requirements of Chapter 408, Part II, F.S. |
| Business Articles | Initial CHOW | Articles of Incorporation or similarly titled document as filed with the Florida Department State. | |
| Proof of Right to Occupy Premises | Initial CHOW Change of Address | Any documentation verifying the applicant’s right to occupy the premises at the physical address of the facility (i.e. warrant or quit claim deed; lease or rental agreement). | |
| Compliance with Zoning Requirements | Initial CHOW Change of Address | Any documentation from a local government identifying the facility as in compliance with local zoning requirements. | |
| Certificate of Occupancy | Initial due to new construction. Change of address due to new construction. | Specific documentation from a local government granting the right to occupy a facility. | |
| Management Agreement | Initial CHOW (if applicable) | Contract between the owner and a management company for management of services. | |
| Closing Document | CHOW | Bill of sale or similar document signed by the buyer and the seller indicating the date of transfer of ownership. | |
| Statement of Outstanding Deficiencies | CHOW | Statement from the buyer assuring any uncorrected licensure survey deficiencies will be corrected timely. | |
| Statement of Outstanding Payments | CHOW | Statement from the buyer identifying any outstanding balance owed AHCA, and indicating who will pay and when. | |
| Program Description | Initial Renewal (optional for accredited facilities, unless changes have occurred since the initial application) CHOW | Description of the program which includes: an outline of the program and services provided; a description of the resident population served; description of the age groups to be admitted; description of services to minors, if any; and a staffing pattern description (hours, coverage per shift, number and types of staff), including the names and license or registration number of each licensed or registered person. | |
| Table of Organization | Initial Renewal (optional for accredited facilities, unless changes have occurred since the initial application CHOW | Table of organization that shows all management levels. | |
| Resume of Facility Manager | Initial Renewal (optional for accredited facilities, unless changes have occurred since the initial application) CHOW | Resume for the individual designated on the application as the facility manager. | |
| Certificate of Insurance | Initial Renewal CHOW | Certificate of Insurance verifying commercial or general liability insurance coverage (minimum required coverage is $300,000 per incidence and $1 million in aggregate). | |
| Baker Act Receiving Facility Designation Certificate | Initial Renewal CHOW Change of address | Copy of the Baker Act Receiving Facility designation certificate issued by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). | |
| Proof of funding and support from DCF | Initial CHOW Change of address | Copy of letter verifying the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has funding appropriated to support the beds requested and if funding is recurring or non recurring or a copy of the current DCF funding contract may be provided. | |
| Recommended Form |
HIV/AIDS
Training
Affidavit
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21.2 kB
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| Initial Renewal CHOW | HIV/AIDS training affidavit assuring required facility staff will be trained. |
| Fire Safety Inspection | Initial Renewal CHOW Change of address | Satisfactory fire safety inspection report completed in the last 365 days. | |
| Sanitation Inspection | Initial Renewal CHOW Change of address | Satisfactory sanitation inspection report completed in the last 365 days. |
Licensure Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Who Pays | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial, renewal or CHOW Application | $197.92 per bed | Applicant | With application. |
| Late Application | $50 per day, up to 50% of the licensure fee or $500 (whichever is less) | All late applications | If an application is not received at least 60 days prior to the anticipated effective date. Payment can be made any time during the application process or upon issuance of a final order. |
| Capacity Increase | $197.92 per bed | Applicant | With application. |
Background Screening
A level 2 background screen is required of the administrator responsible for the day to day operations of the facility and the chief financial officer. Please visit the Agency's background screening web page for additional information regarding vendors, fees, locations etc. Background screens must be repeated every 5 years.
Department of Health Approval for Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems
- Department of Health approval is required for onsite sewage disposal systems regulated by Chapter 64E-6, F.A.C. Please visit the Department of Health’s Onsite Sewage Programs webpage and select the Interagency Coordination Regarding Regulated Establishments[ ] link. The approval form is at the end of the document.
Statute/Rule Authority
- Chapter 394 Parts I and IV, F.S.
- Chapter
65E-5, F.A.C. - Chapter
65E-12, F.A.C. - Chapter 408, Part II, F.S.
- Chapter 59A-35, F.A.C.
Resources
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services
- SAMHSA's National Center for Trauma-Informed Care
- SAMHSA's Evidence-based Practices Resource Center
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Florida's Center for Child Welfare
- Mandatory Radon Testing Requirements for 24-hour State Regulated Providers
- Map of Affected Counties for Radon Testing
