The National Council for Behavioral Health has launched a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Success Center to help providers nationwide adopt the CCBHC model. Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council is a behavioral health advocacy organization with over 3,300 members across the country, many of whom serve under- and uninsured populations.
The CCBHC model provides enhanced funding to behavioral health providers in exchange for delivering a comprehensive range of services to community members, regardless of their ability to pay. The model emphasizes integrated care, combining mental health, addiction, and physical health services to improve outcomes for patients and communities.
The Impact of CCBHCs
One reason the National Council is strongly promoting CCBHCs is the proven outcomes they deliver. According to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released as part of President Trump’s 2021 budget, CCBHC patients experienced more than a 60% reduction in hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Additionally, these patients saw improvements in employment rates and overall mental health, highlighting the effectiveness of the model.
Currently, there are over 200 CCBHCs operating across 33 states. The National Council aims to increase that number to 500 by 2025. To support this expansion, the organization launched the CCBHC Success Center, providing resources, guidance, and training for both aspiring and existing CCBHCs.
Services Offered by the CCBHC Success Center
The CCBHC Success Center offers a variety of free and paid training programs and resources. These include guidance for providers on becoming CCBHC-ready, applying for grants, and strengthening current CCBHC operations. The center also facilitates connections between providers, fostering a collaborative network of organizations that can share best practices and insights.
The center’s support extends to technical assistance in areas such as staffing, reporting, and integration with social services, criminal justice, and educational systems. By providing these resources, the National Council helps providers enhance their capacity, improve care quality, and better serve patients in need.
History and Expansion of CCBHCs
CCBHCs were first introduced in 2014 as part of a Medicaid demonstration program in eight states. Earlier this year, the CARES Act prompted the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA to expand the program, adding Kentucky and Michigan to the demonstration.
CCBHCs participating in the Medicaid demonstration receive higher reimbursement rates in exchange for offering a set of integrated services. These include mental health care, substance use treatment, crisis services, primary care screening, and care coordination. Providers must also meet specific criteria related to timeliness, staffing, reporting, and collaboration with community organizations, schools, law enforcement, and healthcare facilities.
The enhanced reimbursement enables CCBHCs to pay competitive wages, expand service offerings, and serve more patients, all while collaborating with community partners to improve overall health outcomes.
Opportunities for Non-Demonstration States
States not included in the Medicaid demonstration program can still establish CCBHCs by applying for SAMHSA grants. While these grants provide funding for establishing CCBHCs, they are time-limited and usually run for two years. In contrast, participation in the Medicaid demonstration offers more sustainable, long-term funding, making it a preferable option for states seeking to expand CCBHCs permanently.
The CCBHC Success Center is designed to help both providers and states navigate these opportunities. It serves as a central hub for technical assistance, guidance on grant applications, and best practices for implementing the CCBHC model successfully.
Supporting State Agencies and Policymakers
The CCBHC Success Center also welcomes inquiries from state-level stakeholders, including Medicaid agency officials, behavioral health department staff, governors’ offices, state legislators, and research or advocacy groups focused on state policy. By supporting these stakeholders, the center helps facilitate the adoption and scaling of the CCBHC model across the country.
National Council President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia emphasized the urgency of expanding the CCBHC model. “We’ve long had the desire to make this program available in all 50 states, and we figured, if that is really our desire, we need to put our money where our mouth is and help support this in a bigger way,” Ingoglia said. The Success Center is a key part of that strategy, catalyzing faster growth and broader adoption of the model.
Benefits for Providers and Communities
CCBHCs benefit both providers and the communities they serve. Providers gain access to higher reimbursement rates, which allow them to offer competitive salaries and invest in better care infrastructure. Patients benefit from a broader spectrum of services, integrated care, and reduced barriers to treatment. Communities benefit from improved population health outcomes, lower hospitalizations, and reduced reliance on emergency services.
The CCBHC model emphasizes equity, ensuring that under- and uninsured individuals have access to quality behavioral health care. By integrating services and promoting collaboration with local organizations, CCBHCs create a safety net for vulnerable populations and improve overall community health.
A Tipping Point for CCBHC Expansion
According to Ingoglia, the program is at a tipping point. Many of the original demonstration states are certifying and adding more CCBHCs, and the CARES Act expansion adds two additional states. The CCBHC Success Center aims to accelerate this momentum, supporting both new and existing providers in expanding the model nationwide.
The National Council’s commitment to CCBHCs demonstrates a broader strategy to improve behavioral health care access, quality, and outcomes across the United States. By providing funding, technical assistance, and expert guidance, the Success Center ensures that providers and states are equipped to implement the model effectively.
Conclusion
The launch of the CCBHC Success Center represents a significant step forward in expanding access to comprehensive behavioral health care. By supporting providers and states in adopting the CCBHC model, the National Council for Behavioral Health is helping to improve outcomes for patients, families, and communities nationwide.
With the center’s resources, training, and technical assistance, more providers can become CCBHC-ready, expand their service offerings, and serve more individuals in need. As the number of CCBHCs grows, communities will benefit from improved access to integrated behavioral health services, reduced hospitalizations, and enhanced overall well-being.
The CCBHC Success Center reflects the National Council’s long-term vision: a nation where high-quality behavioral health care is accessible to everyone, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. By fostering growth, collaboration, and sustainability, the center plays a pivotal role in advancing the behavioral health landscape in the United States.
