The Government Modernization, Efficiency, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2005 requires State agencies to post information on their websites about public meetings, proposed regulations, and how to comment or otherwise participate. The Department of Mental Health (DMH) seeks comments on all proposed regulations, in keeping with Vermont’s commitment to provide meaningful involvement in government decisions. DMH also welcomes your participation in public meetings.

A list of Statutes that Affect Mental Health can also be found at the bottom of this page.

Department of Mental Health Strategic Planning 

The Department of Mental Health is in the process of developing a 3-5 year strategic plan, and we are soliciting feedback from interested parties about our plan. For more information about the strategic planning process that has occurred to date and the feedback we have received, please view the Strategic Planning page.

Mental Health 2011 Legislation

To learn about the current status of these bills, please visit the "bill tracking" section of the Legislative Home Page or by clicking here.

Policies Under Review

•  Development and Dissemination of DMH Policies

• Please use the DMH Policy Comment Form if you would like to give feedback on the policies under review.

Adult Mental Health

• CRT Eligibility for Schizophrenia Memo from Commissioner Hartman - October 16, 2009  (Sent to Designated Agency and Designated Hospital Medical Director's, CRT Directors, Designated Agency Executive Directors and Children Directors)

• Community Rehabilitation and Treatment (CRT) Client Handbook for people who are new to the CRT Program

• Community Rehabilitation and Treatment (CRT) Provider Manual Sections 1 through 3 and Sections 4 through 8 describes the necessary policies and procedures in detail and contains prototype policies to be adapted by each CRT program.

• Revised Grievances and Appeals Provider Manual

• Grievances and Appeals Training Guide for Designated Agencies

• Qualified Mental Health Professional Guide for Involuntary Psychiatric Evaluations and Hospitalization this manual provides mental health practitioners with a guide to procedures for involuntary psychiatric evaluations in the State of Vermont.

• Qualified Mental Health Professional Designation Guidelines

• Medicaid Fee-For-Service Procedures Manual

Children & Family

• Revised Grievances and Appeals Provider Manual

• Procedural Guidelines for Prior Authorization of Out-of-Home Treatment   

• Procedural Guidelines for Prior Authorization of Out-of-State Residential Treatment

• Minimum Standards for Behavior Interventionists

• Referrals to the Case Review Committee (CRC) for Residential Treatment or Assessment For Children/Youth in the Custody of Their Parents or Guardians

• Policies and Procedures for the Case Review Committee

• Procedure for notifying the Department for Children and Families for children placed out of home who have Adoption Assistance Subsidies  

• Transporation Memo of Children Under 10

Vermont State Hospital

Please visit the VSH Policy Committee page

• To read policies and other documents in the VSH Policy Manual.
• To review policies and other Policy Manual documents currently under revision.
• To leave feedback about policies and other documents under revision.
• To read feedback comments submitted by others regarding revisions . 

For other information about VSH policies, call 802-241-3100.

Statutes that Affect Mental Health Services

• Administrative Rules on Agency Designation - June 2003

Home Providers and Respite Workers (18 V.S.A. § 7103) (Also known as Peggy's Law) was passed in Vermont in May 2002 to assure that home providers and day/overnight respite workers have relevant information about mental health and developmental services consumers so that providers can make an informed decision about whether to agree to provide care for a consumer in their own home. Additional information and the disclosure form can be found in the following documents.

• Mandatory Disclosure Form for Home Providers and Respite Workers
• Mandatory Disclosure Guidelines for Home Providers & Respite Workers
• Mandatory Disclosure Frequently Asked Questions

Act 264: Relating to the Creation of an Advisory Board and State and Local Interagency Teams to Assist in the Provision of Care for Children and Adolescents with Severe Emotional Disturbances - June 1988 Approved; Revised April 1990

• SAMHSA STATEMENT OF POSITION - 06.10.10

For a list of reports to the Legislature, please visit the Legislative section of the Reports and Data page.