On Friday, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded a five-year grant to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to operate a national center for technical assistance for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) grantees.
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing will be given $3 million every year for five years and will help the organization continue to strengthen operations and delivery of mental health and substance use services at CCBHCs.
Chuck Ingoglia, the CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, said Friday in a news release that it is “difficult to overstate the significance of SAMHSA’s decision.”
“It’s an affirmation that CCBHCs provide vital services to those in greatest need,” Ingoglia said. “CCBHCs increase access to evidence-based substance use and mental health treatment services, including 24/7 crisis care. CCBHCs also have expanded states’ capacity to address the overdose crisis and established innovative partnerships with law enforcement, schools and hospitals to improve care, reduce recidivism and prevent hospital readmissions.”
The grant will allow the Technical Assistance Center to work with more than 400 CCBHCs to strengthen their operations and improve the delivery of care for any person who comes through their doors.
The CCBHC model was established in 2014 to give states and clinics the resources and flexibility to better address the rising demand for mental health care and substance use treatment. In order to be eligible for the grant, CCBHCs must meet defined federal and state criteria aimed at expanding access to services, including 24-hour crisis care and comprehensive outpatient mental health and substance use care.
CCBHCs are funded through both a Medicaid demonstration program and grants provided by SAMHSA. There are more than 430 CCBHCs operating in 42 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Guam.
The CCBHC model is designed for clinics to serve more people and be able to collaborate more efficiently with “schools, law enforcement, hospitals and any other entity that creates an open door to care that did not exist previously.,” according to a news release.
A recent National Council survey of CCBHCs found clinics on average serve 17% more people after becoming a CCBHC. Those clinics also offer more comprehensive treatment options and enhanced partnerships with hospitals and law enforcement. CCBHCs serve an estimated 1.5 million people across the country and participating clinics have hired an estimated 9,000 new staff positions as a result of adopting the model.
“This is a profound development in our efforts to increase the number of CCBHCs, among the National Council’s most important priorities,” Ingoglia said. “This award will allow our staff of experts to work in partnership with grantees to help them expand their mental health and substance use treatment and services.”
Ingoglia said he’s thankful for SAMHSA’s support and to Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, the U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use for her leadership.”
Written by Patrick Filbin
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