SAMHSA announces funding opportunity to develop and transform Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics

Key Takeaways

On October 18, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced a new funding opportunity to support the development and implementation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) across the nation.  

The CCBHC model is designed to ensure access to coordinated comprehensive behavioral health care through adherence to federal standards and requirements for 24 hours a day, 7-days-a-week crisis services. The goal of the model is to provide immediate access to high-quality care to those in need of mental health or substance use support services, regardless of their ability to pay. In addition to delivering timely, high-quality care, CCBHCs also collect data and establish innovative partnerships with other entities in the community to help ensure people can achieve recovery.

Through this new grant opportunity, SAMHSA will be awarding up to 15 states a $1 million year-long planning grant starting in early 2023. Funding for this opportunity was made available through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which builds upon the $300 million awarded in September for new and existing CCBHCs to expand  access to CCHBC planning grants to all 50 states.

There are currently 10 CCBHC demonstration states and 340 county and non-profit CCBHCs in 40 states, Guam and the District of Columbia. Counties can work with their state mental health authorities and Medicaid agencies to submit applications for this funding opportunity. The deadline to apply is Monday, December 18, 2022.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics and County Governments
• National Council for Behavioral Health’s CCBHC Locator
• NACo Blog: NACo invites county leaders to sign on to behavioral health advocacy letter to Congress
• NACo Blog: House to Vote on Bill Expanding Community Health Centers Following Senate Passage
• NACo Blog: HHS expands and strengthens the community and public health workforce with new ARPA funding
• NACo Blog: White House announces more than $300 million in new mental health funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act