National Council for Mental Wellbeing Awarded Technical Assistance Center Grant by SAMHSA to Support Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics

Contact:
Bill Glanz
WilliamG@TheNationalCouncil.org
(703) 501-5908

SAMHSA awarded the organization $3 million per year for five years to strengthen operations and delivery of mental health and substance use services at CCBHCs

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 17, 2021) – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today awarded the National Council for Mental Wellbeing a five-year grant to operate a national center for technical assistance for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) grantees.

“It is difficult to overstate the significance of SAMHSA’s decision,” National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia said. “It’s an affirmation that CCBHCs provide vital services to those in greatest need. 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 Technical Assistance Center will work with more than 400 CCBHCs to strengthen their operations and the delivery of care for any person who comes through their doors.

The award amount is $3 million per year.

“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.”

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. 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.

Currently, 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 allows clinics to serve more people, better collaborate with pillars of their community such as schools, law enforcement, hospitals and any other entity that create an open door to care that did not exist previously. A recent survey of CCBHCs conducted by the National Council found clinics on average serve 17% more people after becoming a CCBHC, while offering 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.

“I am so thankful to SAMHSA and to U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon for her leadership,” Ingoglia said.

The 2021 CCBHC Impact Report provides a broad assessment of the program.

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Founded in 1969, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of nearly 3,500 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 10 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure equitable access to high-quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.