STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Department of Children, Youth & Families
Ashley Deckert • Director, Department of Children, Youth and Families
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Mental Health Emergency Service Interventions for Children, Youth, and Families Regulations for Licensure
214-RICR-40-00-6
The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is issuing this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit public comment and stakeholder feedback on future amendments to the Mental Health Emergency Service Interventions for Children, Youth, and Families Regulations for Licensure, 214-RICR-40-00-6.
These regulations establish licensing standards for Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS), a children’s behavioral health crisis service intended to provide timely, family-centered, community-based crisis intervention and stabilization services to children, youth, and families.
Effective October 1, 2026, MRSS is expected to be funded and authorized under a Medicaid State Plan Amendment rather than through the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Demonstration structure. DCYF recently reviewed public comments submitted during the rulemaking process and made a limited set of revisions necessary to support timely implementation, provider licensure, access to services, and funding continuity.
DCYF is now seeking additional stakeholder input on outstanding issues to inform future amendments to the regulations. The purpose of this Advance Notice is to provide an opportunity for early review and feedback before any additional proposed amendments are developed.
DCYF is particularly interested in feedback regarding:
• Implementation of MRSS as a children’s behavioral health crisis service;
• The relationship between Emergency Services and MRSS;
• Staffing and team composition requirements, including access to Qualified Mental Health Professionals;
• Family-defined crisis and System of Care principles;
• Licensure standards and provider readiness;
• Service delivery, availability, and response expectations;
• Coordination with Medicaid, managed care organizations, and community partners;
• Fidelity to the MRSS model;
• Any technical, operational, or regulatory amendments that may be needed following implementation.
Comments may address any aspect of the regulations, including policy direction, licensing standards, implementation considerations, and areas where additional clarification may be needed.
Written comments may be submitted during the public comment period through the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s website or directly to:
Sarah St. Jacques
Director of Policy and Regulation
Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families
The public comment period will remain open until July 3, 2026.
DCYF appreciates the continued engagement of providers, families, advocates, sister agencies, managed care organizations, and community partners as the Department works to implement MRSS and support timely access to behavioral health crisis services for children, youth, and families.
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Comment(s) Received*