The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "988 contact hub" means a state-designated contact center that streamlines clinical interventions and access to resources for people experiencing a behavioral health crisis, participates in the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline network to respond to statewide or regional 988 contacts, and meets the requirements of RCW 71.24.890.

(2) "988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline" means the national network of local crisis centers, reachable by dialing or texting "988," providing free and confidential emotional support to people in crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

(3) "Authority" means the Washington state health care authority.

(4) "Behavioral health services" means either mental health services as described in chapters 71.24 and 71.36 RCW, substance use disorder treatment services as described in chapter 71.24 RCW, or both, which, depending on the type of service, are provided by licensed or certified behavioral health agencies, or behavioral health providers, or are integrated into services offered by other health care providers.

(5) "Care coordination" means the coordination of an individual's health care needs with the assistance of a primary point of contact.

(6) "Certified peer counselor" means a person who has met the requirements of WAC 182-115-0200 and has been recognized by the Washington state health care authority as a certified peer counselor.

(7) "Community-based crisis team" 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 for individuals who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

(8) "Crisis center" means a resource for people in behavioral health crisis that responds to crisis contacts via phone, text, or chat capabilities.

(9) "Culturally appropriate services" means effective, equitable, understandable, respectful, western and indigenous quality care and treatment services that are responsive to a community's cultural health beliefs, practices, and preferences.

(10) "Cultural humility" means the ability to remain open to another person's identity, including their cultural background, beliefs, values, and traditions, and its effects on behavioral health care decision-making.  

(11) "Department" means the Washington state department of health.

(12) "Help seeker" means an individual in crisis, as defined by that individual, who contacts 988 via any of the available modalities.

(13) "Indian health care provider" means a health care program operated by the Indian health service or by an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or urban Indian organization as those terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. § 1603).

(14) "Mobile rapid response crisis team (MRRCT)" means a team that provides professional on-site community-based intervention such as outreach, de-escalation, stabilization, resource connection, and follow-up support for individuals who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, that shall include certified peer counselors as a best practice to the extent practicable based on workforce availability, and that meets standards for response times established by the authority.

(15) "Mobile response and stabilization services (MRSS) teams" are mobile rapid response crisis teams that provide developmentally appropriate crisis intervention and a separate but connected in-home stabilization phase for youth and families.

(16) "Primary point of contact" means the person who provides information to the individual and their caregivers and works with the individual to ensure they receive the most appropriate treatment without duplication of care.

(17) "Secretary" means the secretary of the Washington state department of health.

(18) "Tribe" means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or group or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.