Statement from National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia on FY 2021 SAMHSA COVID-19 Funded Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Grants
This week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released grants to 134 clinics enabling them to implement comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment by becoming Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). The grants are funded from the $4.5 billion allocated to SAMHSA as part of the COVID-19 relief package passed in December. With the addition of this grant funding, there are now 340 CCBHCs across the country – nearly a 50% increase from just days ago. National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia today released the following statement in response.
“This funding will dramatically improve the health and welfare of people in hundreds of communities across the country. CCBHCs provide vital services by increasing access to evidence-based substance use and mental health treatment services, including 24/7 crisis care. Now, thanks to the commitment made by these clinics, people in 40 states, plus D.C. and Guam, will be able to access a CCBHC. We also thank SAMHSA for their support and recognition of the value CCBHCs provide, particularly for vulnerable individuals. This is an incredible step forward for health care in America, and we look to continuing our work to highlight the opportunities provided by the CCBHC model in every community across the country.”
To learn more about how the innovative CCBHC model increases access to mental health and addiction treatment, visit the National Council’s CCBHC Success Center.
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The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is the unifying voice of America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services. Together with our 3,326 member organizations serving over 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses and addictions, the National Council is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. The National Council introduced Mental Health First Aid USA and 2.5 million Americans have been trained.
About The National Council
Founded in 1969, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of over 3,400 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 10 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure equitable access to high-quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 3 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.