The purpose of this program is to increase access to and improve the quality of community mental and substance use disorder treatment services through the expansion of CCBHCs. CCBHCs provide person- and family-centered integrated services. The CCBHC Expansion grant program must provide access to services including 24/7 crisis intervention services for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) or substance use disorders (SUD), including opioid use disorders; children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance (SED); and individuals with co-occurring mental and substance disorders (COD). SAMHSA expects that this program will provide comprehensive 24/7 access to community-based mental and substance use disorder services; treatment of co-occurring disorders; and physical healthcare in one single location.
CCBHCs provide a comprehensive collection of services that create access, stabilize people in crisis, and provide the needed treatment and recovery support services for those with the most serious and complex mental and substance use disorders. CCBHCs integrate services to ensure a comprehensive approach to healthcare. CCBHCs provide services to any individual, regardless of their ability to pay or their place of residence.
States were funded to develop CCBHCs in FY2016 through Planning Grants for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (SM-16-001). This CCBHC expansion announcement creates opportunities to support the expansion of the CCBHC model in those states which participated in the 2016 Planning Grant program. This funding opportunity is available to entities across the country; however, priority will be given to those entities in states which were awarded a 2016 Planning Grant. All organizations who meet criteria are encouraged to apply. This funding opportunity also addresses Healthy People 2020 Health and Mental Disorders Topic Area HP 2020-MHMD and Substance Abuse Topic Area HP 2020-SA.
The 2020 awards are available at https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/04/27/samhsa-awards-grants-expanding-community-based-behavioral-health-services-strengthens-covid-19.html.
Applicants use SAMHSA's services grant funds primarily to support direct services. This includes the following activities:
Eligibility is limited to certified community behavioral health clinics or community-based behavioral health clinics who may not yet be certified but meet the certification criteria and can be certified within 4 months of award.
SAMHSA has been issuing the awards to unfunded applicants to the annual competition from 2019 and 2020 as well as issuing supplemental awards to existing awardees.
$1.27 billion as been issued in total stimulus funding for CCBHCs.$420 million in funding was included in the American Rescue Plan for expansion of CCBHCs.At least $600 million is being made available to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics as a result of the stimulus package included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA/CARES 2.0). It is not clear if SAMHSA will issue a new notice inviting applications, release the funds to unfunded 2020 applicants, or supplemental award to 2020 winners.$250 million in funding was available through the CARES Act so that 166 clinics could be funded.