Empire State Today

Governor Kathy Hochul on July 10 announced that the New York State Office of Mental Health and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports have made $3.5 million available for start-up grants to develop 13 new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, 24-hour centers that provide comprehensive services for those requiring behavioral health support, specifically coordination care across behavioral, physical health, and social service systems. Of the 13 clinics, six will be located in New York City, and seven in other regions throughout New York State.

“My administration is committed to creating a robust and effective mental health care system that works for every New Yorker,” Governor Hochul said. “Through the development of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, we are providing comprehensive wrap-around care to our most vulnerable New Yorkers, helping ensure no one is left behind.”

Governor Hochul has proposed a comprehensive reform plan for New York’s mental health care system, including $60 million in capital and $121.6 million in operating funding to dramatically expand outpatient services. Central to this, the development of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC)’s represents the first phase of a two-year expansion plan, which will triple the number of CCBHCs statewide from 13 to 39 by July 2025. CCBHCs serve children, adolescents, adults, and older adults experiencing mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or both, including individuals with co-occurring intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Services are provided regardless of ability to pay, or county or city location of residence.

New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “CCBHCs make it easier to get behavioral healthcare and can help people who don’t need inpatient care to avoid hospitalization. In addition to mental health care, they offer treatment for substance use disorder as well as screening and referral for physical health care services. Tripling the number of CCBHCs across the State is an important component in Governor Hochul’s comprehensive plan to strengthen our mental healthcare system.”

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “CCBHCs serve a vital role in helping people access comprehensive health care, including treatment for substance use disorders, by providing a wide range of coordinated services designed to support their overall health. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the Office of Mental Health on this important effort to support Governor Hochul’s vision, and help more people receive the care they need to address substance use and mental health disorders.”

CCBHCs are required to provide a comprehensive array of behavioral health services to assist people who are transitioning from one level of care to another and help them to navigate the behavioral healthcare system across multiple providers. This requires that they establish strong communication protocols and partnerships with community-based partners.

The CCBHC model was established by Congress via the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014. In 2017, thirteen providers throughout NYS implemented the program model under New York State’s demonstration program. CCBHC’s are required to directly provide or contract for certain services, including, but not limited to:

• Crisis mental health services including 24-hour mobile crisis teams, emergency crisis intervention, and crisis stabilization;
• Screening, assessment, and diagnosis including risk assessment;
• Patient-Centered treatment planning or similar processes, including risk assessment and crisis planning;
• Outpatient mental health and substance use services;
• Outpatient clinic primary care screening and monitoring of key health indicators and health risk;
• Targeted case management;
• Psychiatric rehabilitation services;
• Peer and family support services; and
• Intensive community-based mental health care for members of the armed forces & veterans.

A Request for Proposals has been issued by the agencies and awards are expected to be made by November 1, 2023. Selected agencies will each receive $265,000 in start-up costs. More information is available in the Request for Proposals on the Office of Mental Health and Office of Addiction Services and Supports websites. In addition to clinic services, CCBHCs provide access to 24/7 crisis services.

If you are in crisis, experiencing emotional distress, or worried about someone you know, you can get help and support by calling or texting 988 (you can also chat at 988lifeline.org) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

Original source can be found here.