Uniform Service Standards (USS)
The Uniform Service Standards (USS) project is a multi-phase reform of the regulatory structure and service standards for Minnesota’s mental health care system. The USS project is aligning common standards to reduce administrative burden, refocusing the standards on supporting quality and equitable services and establishing a unified licensing framework to build accountability where it matters.
Aligning common standards: When standards are clear and consistent, providers can spend more time delivering their full range of services and less time at their desks navigating confusing and ambiguous compliance requirements.
Refocusing standards: When the timelines for completing or approving treatment documents are realistic, providers are better able to focus on developing trusting therapeutic relationships and delivering high quality services.
Establishing a unified licensing structure: When services are accountable under a unified licensing structure, there is greater consistency in the guidance given to providers, a path to meaningful integration, centralized reporting and investigations of complaints, and access to enforcement tools necessary to protect Minnesotans.
Current status
In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed the second phase of the USS Project. This is based on the first phase which created a common “core” of standards that will apply to all mental health care services and established the framework for a unified licensing structure. In the second phase of work, DHS will transition services from certifications to licensing:
- Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS)
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC)
- Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS)
- Mobile Crisis (call centers, community assessment/intervention and community stabilization)
- The USS project will also look at how to better define and distinguish Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) from certified clinics (245I.20, formerly known as “Rule 29”) and CCBHCs.
- Required legislation will submitted to the legislature for the 2025 session, and the new licensing is projected to be implemented January 1, 2026.
Phase 2 Design Team
In order to identify the priorities and practicalities that will make this work a success, the project is assembling a USS Design Team of external voices and DHS staff on these mental health services. Due to space and logistical concerns, team size is limited, with the goal of representing a diversity of experiences and views on the impacted services. The USS Design Team will have meetings every six weeks to select priorities and guide each phase of USS project development.
- June 7, all day
- July 19, 9:00a to 12:00p
- August 30, 9:00a to 12:00p
- October 11, 9:00a to 12:00p
- November 15, 9:00a to 12:00p
- January 3, 9:00a to 12:00p
- February 14, 9:00a to 12:00p
- March 27, 9:00a to 12:00p
For questions on how to attend as an observer and to receive meeting handouts, please contact uss.dhs@state.mn.us.
Planning for implementation
Questions
DHS has published a Frequently Asked Questions document to assist providers in implementing 245I standards.
If you have questions about IRTS/RCS or certified mental health clinics, please contact your licensor or email dhs.mhcdlicensing@state.mn.us.
If you have questions about other services, including certifications from BHD, please contact uss.dhs@state.mn.us.
Contact us
If you have questions about IRTS/RCS or certified mental health clinics, please contact your licensor or email dhs.mhcdlicensing@state.mn.us.
If you have questions about other services, including certifications from BHD, please contact uss.dhs@state.mn.us.
