The following definitions apply to this chapter:

"Authority" means the Washington state health care authority.

"Behavioral health administrative services organization (BH-ASO)" means the same as in WAC 182-538-050.

"Behavioral health emergency" means a person is experiencing a significant behavioral health crisis that requires an immediate in-person response due to level of risk or lack of means for safety planning.

"Calendar days" means all days, including Saturdays, Sundays, and designated holidays under WAC 357-31-005.

"Community-based crisis team (CBCT)" means a team that is part of an emergency medical services agency, a fire service agency, a public health agency, a medical facility, a nonprofit crisis response provider, or a city or county government entity, other than a law enforcement agency, that provides the on-site, community-based interventions of a mobile rapid response crisis team (MRRCT) for people who are experiencing behavioral health emergencies.

"Eligible organization" means an entity serving as a mobile rapid response crisis team (MRRCT) or a community-based crisis team (CBCT) that is seeking an endorsement. An eligible organization must be one of the following:

• Any entity below operated by a tribal government;

• City or county government entity, other than a law enforcement agency;

• Emergency medical service agency;

• Fire department;

• Fire service agency;

• Licensed or certified behavioral health agency;

• Medical facility;

• Nonprofit crisis response provider;

• Nonprofit organization;

• Public health agency.

"Endorsed team" means a mobile rapid response crisis team (MRRCT) or a community-based crisis team (CBCT) that meets the endorsements standards in this chapter.

"Endorsement" or "certificate of endorsement" means a voluntary credential issued by the authority to a mobile rapid response crisis team (MRRCT) or a community-based crisis team (CBCT), which allows the team to become eligible for supplemental performance payments.

"Enhanced rate" means the increased rate paid to endorsed mobile rapid response crisis teams (MRRCT) and community-based crisis teams (CBCT) as described in RCW 71.24.903.

"Exempt community-based crisis team" means a team comprised solely of an emergency medical services agency, whether part of a fire service agency or a private entity, located in a rural county in eastern Washington with a population of less than 60,000 residents. Under RCW 71.24.903, minimum personnel standards do not apply in exempt eastern Washington counties.

"Exempt eastern Washington counties" means the following counties: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Stevens, and Whitman.

"Mental health care provider (MHCP)" means a provider recognized by the department of health as a registered, agency affiliated counselor who has primary responsibility for implementing an individualized plan for mental health rehabilitation services.

"Mental health professional (MHP)" means the same as in RCW 71.05.020.

"Mobile rapid response crisis team (MRRCT)" means a team that provides professional, on-site, community-based interventions such as outreach, de-escalation, stabilization, resource connection, and follow-up support for people who are experiencing a behavioral health emergency. A MRRCT must:

• Include certified peer counselors as a best practice to the extent practical based on workforce availability; and

• Meet standards for response times established by the authority's contracted BH-ASO.

"Regional dispatch protocols" means the protocols adopted by the regional BH-ASO to establish guidelines for dispatching necessary crisis services.

"Rural area" means a zip code with a population of less than 500 residents per square mile, an Indian reservation, and any location that requires travel by ferry or international travel to reach.

"Suburban area" means a zip code with a population of more than 500 residents per square mile but less than 3,000 residents per square mile.

"Supplemental performance payment" means an optional, additional payment described in RCW 71.24.903(10) that is greater than the enhanced rate. Endorsed teams are eligible for the supplemental performance payment if they demonstrate that they meet the required standards in this chapter.

"Urban area" means a zip code with a population of more than 3,000 residents per square mile.