OMHSAS Info | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Source: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/departments-offices/omhsas-info
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
OMHSAS Info | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Human Services
Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
Every individual served by the behavioral healthcare system will have the opportunity for growth, recovery, and inclusion in their community, have access to culturally competent services and supports of their choice, and enjoy a quality of life that includes family members and friends.
Notice (2/20/2026): Advisory Relating to Immigration Enforcement Activities in Health Care and Social Services Facilities
OMHSAS ensures a responsive behavioral health system is developed, maintained, and reviewed for Pennsylvanians enrolled in the Behavioral Health-Health Choices (BH-HC) managed care program and receiving county-based programming.
OMHSAS maintains a close relationship with county-affiliated primary contractors to manage the contractual obligations of the Behavioral Health HealthChoices program and county mental mealth offices that execute community-based programming. OMHSAS oversees six state-run psychiatric hospitals and one psychiatric hospital-nursing home. Norristown and Torrance State Hospitals are Regional Forensic Psychiatric Centers that provide active psychiatric treatment and/or psychiatric evaluation in a medium security facility to persons that are involved with the county-based judicial/correction systems. OMHSAS acts as a conduit between the community and state to develop, monitor, and evaluate programs and services based on recovery and resiliency principles. OMHSAS provides guidance to other state agencies (i.e., Department of Health, Department of Corrections, Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Department of State) on the impacts of changes to behavioral health policies, legislation, and regulation.
OMHSAS Bureaus
OMHSAS Programs & Resources
OMHSAS Bureaus
Bureau of Children's Behavioral Health Services
Bureau of Community and Hospital Operations
Bureau of Financial Management and Administration
Bureau of Policy, Planning, and Program Development
Bureau of Quality Management and Data Review
Office of the Medical Director
Featured Programs
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Behavioral HealthChoices
Behavioral HealthChoices
Substance Use Disorder
Substance Use Disorder
Contact OMHSAS
Deputy Secretary
Jen Smith
General Contact Information
Address:
P. O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Additional Contact Information
County Mental Health Offices
Regional Mental Health and Substance Abuse Field Offices
Behavioral HealthChoices Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)
OMHSAS Documents
General Information
Join the OMHSAS Listserv
DHS Bulletins
PROMISe Provider Handbooks and Guides
Consent to Mental Health Treatment for Minors
OMHSAS-23-01: Act 65 of 2020: Consent to Mental Health Treatment for Minors
Effective: January 24, 2023
2020 Act 65 — PA General Assembly
Act 65 of 2020 was signed on July 23, 2020 and supersedes Act 147 of 2004
Overview of Act 65 of 2020
Attachment B: Sample Petition for Objection to Voluntary Inpatient Mental Health Treatment by a Minor
Attachment C: Act 65 of 2020 Frequently Asked Questions
Related Programs & Resources
Mental Health Programs Licensing
Crisis Intervention Services
Behavioral Health Telehealth
Disaster Human Services and Emergency Operations
SUD 1115 Waiver
Act 147 of 2004
OMHSAS Department Information
SUD 1115 Waiver
Crisis Intervention Services Webpage
OMHSAS Behavioral Health Telehealth Information
FY 2023 PATH Grant
Community Support Services Procedure Code Chart
How to Find Services
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis, call or text 988 to be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained professionals are available 24/7, and services are free and confidential.
Mental health services in Pennsylvania are administered through
county mental health and intellectual disabilities program offices
and the actual mental health services are delivered by the county or local provider agencies under contract with the county. The county office determines a person's eligibility for service funding, assesses the need for treatment or other services and makes referrals to appropriate programs to fit service needs.
Pennsylvania HealthChoices Behavioral Health Program
DHS Human Services Provider Directory
Service Care Provider Search
Mental Health Advance Directive Information
Department of Human Services
Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
Every individual served by the behavioral healthcare system will have the opportunity for growth, recovery, and inclusion in their community, have access to culturally competent services and supports of their choice, and enjoy a quality of life that includes family members and friends.
Notice (2/20/2026): Advisory Relating to Immigration Enforcement Activities in Health Care and Social Services Facilities
OMHSAS ensures a responsive behavioral health system is developed, maintained, and reviewed for Pennsylvanians enrolled in the Behavioral Health-Health Choices (BH-HC) managed care program and receiving county-based programming.
OMHSAS maintains a close relationship with county-affiliated primary contractors to manage the contractual obligations of the Behavioral Health HealthChoices program and county mental mealth offices that execute community-based programming. OMHSAS oversees six state-run psychiatric hospitals and one psychiatric hospital-nursing home. Norristown and Torrance State Hospitals are Regional Forensic Psychiatric Centers that provide active psychiatric treatment and/or psychiatric evaluation in a medium security facility to persons that are involved with the county-based judicial/correction systems. OMHSAS acts as a conduit between the community and state to develop, monitor, and evaluate programs and services based on recovery and resiliency principles. OMHSAS provides guidance to other state agencies (i.e., Department of Health, Department of Corrections, Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Department of State) on the impacts of changes to behavioral health policies, legislation, and regulation.
OMHSAS Bureaus
OMHSAS Programs & Resources
OMHSAS Bureaus
Bureau of Children's Behavioral Health Services
Bureau of Community and Hospital Operations
Bureau of Financial Management and Administration
Bureau of Policy, Planning, and Program Development
Bureau of Quality Management and Data Review
Office of the Medical Director
Featured Programs
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Behavioral HealthChoices
Behavioral HealthChoices
Substance Use Disorder
Substance Use Disorder
Contact OMHSAS
Deputy Secretary
Jen Smith
General Contact Information
Address:
P. O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Additional Contact Information
County Mental Health Offices
Regional Mental Health and Substance Abuse Field Offices
Behavioral HealthChoices Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)
OMHSAS Documents
General Information
Join the OMHSAS Listserv
DHS Bulletins
PROMISe Provider Handbooks and Guides
Consent to Mental Health Treatment for Minors
OMHSAS-23-01: Act 65 of 2020: Consent to Mental Health Treatment for Minors
Effective: January 24, 2023
2020 Act 65 — PA General Assembly
Act 65 of 2020 was signed on July 23, 2020 and supersedes Act 147 of 2004
Overview of Act 65 of 2020
Attachment B: Sample Petition for Objection to Voluntary Inpatient Mental Health Treatment by a Minor
Attachment C: Act 65 of 2020 Frequently Asked Questions
Related Programs & Resources
Mental Health Programs Licensing
Crisis Intervention Services
Behavioral Health Telehealth
Disaster Human Services and Emergency Operations
SUD 1115 Waiver
Act 147 of 2004
OMHSAS Department Information
SUD 1115 Waiver
Crisis Intervention Services Webpage
OMHSAS Behavioral Health Telehealth Information
FY 2023 PATH Grant
Community Support Services Procedure Code Chart
How to Find Services
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis, call or text 988 to be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained professionals are available 24/7, and services are free and confidential.
Mental health services in Pennsylvania are administered through
county mental health and intellectual disabilities program offices
and the actual mental health services are delivered by the county or local provider agencies under contract with the county. The county office determines a person's eligibility for service funding, assesses the need for treatment or other services and makes referrals to appropriate programs to fit service needs.
Pennsylvania HealthChoices Behavioral Health Program
DHS Human Services Provider Directory
Service Care Provider Search
Mental Health Advance Directive Information