Although it is important to provide clients with the best care possible, the proposed changes are coming during a labor shortage of all mental health providers, nurses, and psychiatrists. Implementing these proposed changes now may lead to the closure of resources we use with our most vulnerable students, such as crisis stabilization units, crisis centers. Inpatient mental health facilities are already struggling to manage the demand for emergency mental health care.
Please delay implementation of the regulations requiring LPN on-site as well as the requirement of psychiatry evaluation at the time of admission. Please clarify how a regional crisis hotline will function for individuals on-site with a client in need and not able to directly connect to their local emergency provider.