Get your behavioral health policies in writing with
The Starter Day-One Set
The core policies, procedures and forms every behavioral health provider needs, whether you're opening your doors, cleaning up an outdated manual, or getting ready for a license review, audit or accreditation.
You know your policies need to be in writing… you just don't know where to start.
That's okay. You're an expert in serving your clients, not in writing compliance manuals.
Built from a real accreditation.
I'm Alexis Perry, a Certified Director of Operations. I built a full policy library for a behavioral health nonprofit's accreditation, and the core documents in this set were tested in that real survey.
That library went through a real accreditation survey with zero recommendations.
This set gives you:
41 fully written documents
Policies, procedures and forms covering leadership, rights, privacy, services, safety and people. Not outlines. Written.
Proof built in
Every policy comes with its matching form, log or record, because a policy without proof is only half done.
Fill in once
Set your organization name, roles, state and timeframes one time. Sensible defaults included, and anything that varies by state is flagged.
Tired of scrambling every time a reviewer asks for a policy? Ready to have it done right?
This set is for you if you are…
- A behavioral health nonprofit or small practice offering mental health, substance use, peer support, case management or recovery services
- A new provider getting ready for state licensing, a Medicaid or grant contract, or your first funder review
- Preparing for CARF, COA or The Joint Commission. The documents work with any accreditor and don't name one.
- A human services, IDD or in-home provider who wants the core set now and a module later
The Day-One Set IS:
One format. Every policy follows the same 12-part structure, so staff know where to look and reviewers can check things quickly.
Plain language. Written for staff to actually follow, not just to file.
Built to stay current. Owner, approver, version, effective date and review date tracked on every document, with a "due for review" view.
Linked. Each policy links to its related forms, so you can see a whole topic at once.
The Day-One Set is NOT:
A complete accreditation manual. It covers what to put in place first. Your accreditor, state and programs will require more.
Crosswalked to standards. It works with any accreditor, so no standard codes are included. You map each document to your accreditor's standards yourself, or we can do it for you.
One size for every program. If you run more than one program or level of care, you may need separate versions of some documents for each.
Legal advice. You confirm the details against your state rules and contracts.
A guarantee. It sets you up well, but it doesn't promise a license or accreditation result.
A locked PDF. It's your own editable copy in Notion.
The 41 Policies to Put in Place First
Whether you're writing your first manual or replacing one that's years out of date, these are the documents to get in place first: the ones reviewers ask for early and the ones that matter most when something goes wrong.
The Starter Day-One Set includes:
- 41 fully written documents across six core areas
- Room to grow: when you're ready for the rest of your library, the Core Handbook ($797) gives you fully written policies for 14 core sections, and add-on modules for specific services are $297 each. Already own the Day-One Set? Upgrade to the Core Handbook for $500 within 30 days, so your $297 counts in full
- Start-here pages: How to Use, a 30-day adoption plan, a Placeholder List, Which Modules Do I Need?, and a blank 12-part policy template
- Delivered as a Notion template you duplicate into your own workspace
What's inside the Day-One Set
| Area | Includes |
|---|---|
| Leadership and compliance | Corporate Compliance, Exclusion Screening, Conflict of Interest policy and disclosure form, Fiscal Policy with internal controls, Risk Management Plan |
| Rights and access | Client Rights and Grievance Policy, rights acknowledgment form, grievance form and log, Abuse/Neglect Reporting, Access to Services, Language Access |
| Privacy and records | Confidentiality (HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, updated for the 2024 Part 2 rule), Release of Information policy and form, Records Management, Technology and Security, AI Use Policy |
| Services | Screening and Access, Consent for Treatment policy and form, Orientation Checklist, Person-Centered Planning, Progress Note Standard, Transition/Discharge |
| Safety and crisis | Suicide Risk Screening and Safety Planning, Personal Safety Plan, Crisis Intervention, Incident Reporting and form, Emergency Operations Plan, Drill Log, Safety Procedures, Infection Control, Workplace Violence Prevention |
| People and quality | HR Management, Credential and Background Verification, Employee Training, Supervision, Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan |
| Plus | Five start-here pages to get you set up in 30 days |
Questions You Might Have
Do I need Notion?
Yes, and the free plan works. You duplicate the template with one click, and you can export any page to PDF or Word.
Which accreditor is this for?
Any of them. It works for CARF, COA, The Joint Commission or state licensing alone. Want each document matched to your accreditor's standards? That's a service I offer, and it starts with a $199 Policy Readiness Call.
How long does setup take?
The included plan spreads it over 30 days: fill in your placeholders, check your state rules, get approval, then train your staff.
Can I edit everything?
Yes. Once you duplicate it, it's your own copy.
Is it for clinical or non-clinical programs?
Both. Scope statements are fill-in, with options for peer support and case-management-only programs.
Is this legal advice? Does it guarantee my accreditation?
No to both. You'll confirm the details against your state rules and contracts, and no template can guarantee a license or accreditation result. What it does give you is a strong, organized starting point built from a real accreditation.
You don't need to write 41 policies from scratch or hire a consultant to get started.
You just need the Day-One Set
This product is not legal advice and does not guarantee licensing or accreditation outcomes.