David Bennett, Associate Commissioner

Questions and Answers

Who is certified by the DMH/MR?

Private providers and local Mental Health Centers that provide mental health, mental retardation or substance abuse services.

What are the requirements for certification as a community provider?

You or your agency must comply with the Department’s divisional standards and Administrative Codes.  Visit the Department’s Policy and Planning page to view the divisional standards. There you will also find a link to the Alabama Administrative Code.  

How do I become a provider?

If you are offering or preparing to provide services to persons with mental illness, mental retardation, or substance abuse disorders in your community, you must attend a required orientation program designed to provide the information you need. This is an essential step to becoming a community service provider. Our certification program provides “prospective community providers” the opportunity to increase their knowledge of the mental health system in Alabama and provides a source of information beneficial to the certification processes and completion of the application. This forum is the place for open discussion about steps to become certified, life safety issues, and background checks specifically. This orientation program is conducted by staff of the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

• General Information
• Training Announcement
• How to Register
• Provider Orientation Registration Form

TO OBTAIN INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER

How often is New Provider Orientation offered?

New provider training is conducted four times per year – once in each quarter. Prospective providers may call 334-242-3177 for information about registering for the training.

Where can I find the life safety regulations?

The life safety regulations are in the Administrative Code Chapter 580-3-22. The Alabama Administrative Code can be obtained by visiting the Policy and Planning page.

How often are life safety inspections conducted?

Residential facilities are inspected every six months and day programs are inspected once a year.

What is a site visit, follow-up, or other programmatic review?

A site visit is a review of administrative requirements as set out in the Alabama Administrative Code, Sections 580-2-13, 580-1-2, and 580-5-30, and shall be separate from program site visits. A program site visit is conducted within six months of initial certification, but in any event, prior to the expiration of the Letter of Temporary Operating Authority. All subsequent program site visits will occur in accordance with the period of certification renewal date and may be unannounced.

How often are programmatic site visits conducted?

The initial program site visit and/or administrative review is scheduled with the agency. All subsequent program site visits occur in accordance with the period of certification renewal date and may be unannounced.

How many state operated facilities does Alabama have?

Alabama operates one mental retardation and seven mental illness state operated facilities. Searcy Hospital, Greil Hospital, Bryce Hospital, Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Center, The Mary S. Harper Geriatric Facility, North Alabama Regional Hospital, Alice M. Kidd Nursing Facility and Partlow Developmental Center.

How many sites does the State of Alabama DMH/MR certify?

The DMH/MR currently certifies 2918 sites in Alabama.

If a program is certified by the DMH/MR does that mean they are contracting with the DMH/MR?

Certification for an entity does not obligate the DMH/MR in any way to contract with the entity for the provision of services.