1. A. All specialized behavioral health services must be medically necessary. The medical necessity for services shall be determined by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) or physician who is acting within the scope of his/her professional license and applicable state law.

2. B. Services provided to children and youth must include communication and coordination with the family and/or legal guardian and, for children in state custody, the custodial agency. Coordination with other child-serving systems should occur as needed to achieve the treatment goals. All coordination must be documented in the child’s medical record.

   1. 1. The agency or individual who has the decision-making authority for a child or youth in state custody must request and approve the provision of services to the recipient.

3. C. Children who are in need of specialized behavioral health services shall be served within the context of the family and not as an isolated unit.

   1. 1. Services shall be:

      1. a. delivered in a culturally and linguistically competent manner; and
      2. b. respectful of the individual receiving services.
   2. 2. Services shall be appropriate to children and youth of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, sexual, and gender identities, as well as other cultural and linguistic groups.

   3. 3. Services shall also be appropriate for:

      1. a. age;
      2. b. development; and
      3. c. education.
4. D. Evidence-based practices require prior approval and fidelity reviews on an ongoing basis as determined necessary by the department.
5. E. Services may be provided at a site-based facility, in the community, or in the individual’s place of residence as outlined in the treatment plan.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 38:364 (February 2012), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing and the Office of Behavioral Health, LR 41:2358 (November 2015), amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing and the Office of Behavioral Health, LR 44:1892 (October 2018), LR 50:983 (July 2024).