CCBHC Innovations: Enhancing Community Collaboration with MOUs, DCOs and Informal Partnerships

ccbhc innovations case study

Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Designated Collaborating Organizations (DCOs), and informal partnerships are critical strategies for Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) to enhance service delivery and support. These collaborative approaches focus on creating meaningful connections that prevent gaps in services provided and support comprehensive care. MOUs provide structured referral protocols, DCOs enable clinics to expand service capacity, and informal partnerships leverage existing community relationships to meet the needs of the people being served more effectively.

This resource is for CCBHCs, including SAMHSA CCBHC expansion (CCBHC-E) grantees, to use in planning and implementing community collaboration. It highlights the innovations of Beacon Mental Health, a community mental health center in Missouri, and demonstrates their strategic approach to community collaboration.


This publication was made possible by Grant No. 1H79SM085856 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views, opinions or policies of SAMHSA, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).