The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has awarded 14 states and Washington, D.C. with $1 million, one-year Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program planning grants, with funding authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 to address the ongoing national mental health and substance use disorder crises. President Biden made tackling the mental health crisis and overdose epidemic key pillars in his Unity Agenda for the Nation. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 has been instrumental to advancing the President’s comprehensive national strategy to transform how we address behavioral health in the United States.
“Everyone in this country who seeks help for mental health or substance use issues should be able to receive it, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay for services,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication to transforming our behavioral health care system, we are working to build a better continuum of care and expanding access to mental health and substance use care for all Americans.”
The states selected are Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia as well as the District of Columbia. In 2026, up to 10 of these states will be selected to participate in the CCBHC Medicaid demonstration program and receive enhanced Medicaid reimbursement. The CCBHC planning phase assists states in developing their CCBHC certification processes, establish prospective payment systems for Medicaid-reimbursable services, and prepare an application to participate in a four-year demonstration program.
“The planning phase for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics is an important part of states’ efforts to develop sustainable funding to support their communities’ health with equitable access to quality behavioral health care,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. “Congratulations to the selected states as they continue working for better health outcomes for all.”
For the full announcement from SAMHSA, click here.
