Behavioral health clinics across the country are now able to apply for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) expansion grants.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the funding opportunity Friday, putting $200 million worth of grants up for grabs and expanding the reach of CCBHCs.
The purpose is to “increase access to and improve the quality of community mental and substance use disorder treatment services through the expansion of CCBHCs,” according to SAMHSA.
The news represents an important step in expanding the CCBHC model nationwide, according to the National Council for Behavioral Health, who has been a vocal supporter of increasing resources to CCBHCs.
“Congress heeded our call and appropriated $200 million for expansion grants this year, a $50 million increase from 2019,” William Glanz, a writer for the National Council, wrote in a brief detailing the opportunity to providers. “The decision to expand the successful grant program is the latest sign of growing support among members of Congress for our top legislative priority.”
CCBHCs in the demonstration model (rather than who are in the grant program) receive an increased Medicaid reimbursement rate in exchange for providing 24/7 crisis care and other integrated behavioral health services in community settings. CCBHCs must provide nine types of required services in total.
The grants are available to clinics regardless of if they are currently CCBHCs.
While current CCBHCs are eligible for the grants, community-based behavioral health providers who believe they can meet the CCBHC certification criteria within four months of being awarded funding are also eligible.
Clinics that received expansion funding in fiscal year 2019 will not be eligible to apply.
Grant applications will be due March 10. SAMHSA expects to award 98 recipients up to $2,000,000 per year over the course of the two-year grant.
Companies featured in this article:
