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BHDD provides a statewide network of hospitals, residential settings, regional centers, autism homes, substance use treatment facilities and outpatient mental health services. Together, these services help South Carolinians access the right care, at the right level, at the right time.

BHDD’s state facility and service network includes:

  • Inpatient hospitals: provide around-the-clock care for people who need intensive mental health treatment in a hospital setting.
  • Substance use disorder facilities: provide intensive treatment and recovery support for people who need more structured care.
  • Mental health residential facilities and long-term care: support people who need ongoing treatment, supervision or care in a structured living environment.
  • Regional centers: provide specialized support and care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who need a high level of assistance.
  • State-operated autism homes: provide specialized residential support for individuals with autism who need structured, around-the-clock care.
  • Outpatient mental health facilities: provide community-based services that help people access treatment, support and care closer to home.

These services exist because people need different kinds of care. Some people need short-term treatment during a crisis. Others need ongoing support, residential care or long-term services to help them live as safely and independently as possible.

Types of Facilities

What they do
Inpatient and psychiatric hospitals provide 24-hour treatment and support for people with serious mental health needs who require a hospital setting. 

How they help
These hospitals support people during times when they need intensive care, close monitoring, and a safe treatment setting.

Who may use them
People who need hospital-level behavioral health care, typically through clinical referral, crisis response or another formal care pathway.

These facilities are part of a larger system of care. They are meant for people whose needs cannot be safely met through outpatient or community-based services alone.

What they do
Substance use disorder facilities provide structured treatment and support for people with alcohol or drug use needs. 

How they help
These facilities help people begin recovery in a setting designed for more intensive treatment and support than outpatient care alone may provide.

Who may use them
People whose substance use treatment needs require a higher level of care, usually through screening, referral or another treatment pathway.

What they do
These facilities support people who need daily supervision, treatment support or long-term care in a residential setting. 

How they help
They provide a more structured environment than outpatient care and may serve people who need longer-term support, residential placement or a stable treatment setting.

Who may use them
People whose needs are best met in a residential or long-term care environment, generally through assessment and placement processes rather than direct walk-in access. 

What they do
Regional centers provide state-operated services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are five regional centers serving the state as part of BHDD’s service network.

How they help
Regional centers support people who need a high level of daily assistance and coordinated care.

Who may use them
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities whose needs require specialized state-operated support, typically through eligibility, service planning and placement processes.

What they do
State-operated autism homes provide residential support for individuals with autism who need a structured setting and specialized care. There are five state-operated autism homes as part of BHDD’s service network.

How they help
These homes offer support in a setting designed for people whose needs may not be met through less intensive community options.

Who may use them
Individuals with autism who qualify for specialized residential services through BHDD’s disability service pathways. 

What they do
Outpatient mental health facilities provide care in the community, closer to where people live. There are 16 Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) serving the state as part of BHDD’s service network.

How they help
These facilities can help people get care earlier, connect to treatment locally and avoid more serious crises when possible.

Who may use them
Children, adults and families seeking outpatient mental health support, depending on service availability and eligibility.

BHDD was created to improve navigation, strengthen state-run facilities, expand access across the continuum of care and improve coordination across programs and facilities.

That means these facilities are not just buildings or programs. Together, they form a statewide network meant to help South Carolinians:

  • find the right level of care,
  • get support closer to home when possible,
  • receive more intensive services when needed
  • and move more smoothly between services over time.

Access depends on the type of service a person needs.

  • Outpatient services are often the first step for people seeking help in the community.
  • Residential and long-term care services usually involve assessment, referral and placement.
  • Inpatient services are generally used when a person needs a higher level of care and cannot safely be served in a less intensive setting.
  • Disability and autism residential services typically involve eligibility review, service planning and coordinated placement.

If you are not sure where to start, BHDD can help connect you to the right type of service based on your needs.

What kinds of facilities does BHDD operate?
BHDD’s facility network includes inpatient hospitals, substance use disorder facilities, mental health residential facilities and long-term care, regional centers, state-operated autism homes and outpatient mental health facilities.

What is the difference between inpatient and outpatient care?
Inpatient care is for people who need 24-hour treatment and support in a hospital setting. Outpatient care is provided in the community and is designed for people who do not need hospital-level care.

What are residential facilities?
Residential facilities are places where people live while receiving treatment, supervision, or support services. Some are designed for mental health needs, while others support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autism.

What are regional centers?
Regional centers are state-operated facilities that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who need a high level of daily assistance. Regional centers provide specialized support and case management and are often the second step, offering more robust support after initial community-based services. Referrals come from families, mental health community centers and other providers.

What are state-operated autism homes?
These are specialized residential homes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who need structured, around-the-clock support.

Are BHDD services only for people in crisis?
No. Some services are meant for crisis or hospital-level care, but others provide ongoing support, residential care, long-term care or community-based treatment. BHDD’s goal is to offer options across the full continuum of care.

How do I know which service is right for me or my family member?
The right service depends on the person’s needs. Some people may begin with outpatient care, while others may need residential, hospital or disability support services. BHDD’s goal is to make services easier to understand and easier to navigate.

Can anyone walk into a residential or inpatient facility?
Usually not. More intensive services often require assessment, referral, eligibility review or formal placement processes.