Senator Stabenow Announces $5 Million in Funding to Expand Mental Health and Addiction Services in West Michigan

New and Expanded Services Made Possible by Stabenow’s Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act

Friday, September 30, 2022

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced $5,000,000 to expand mental health and addiction services at five locations in communities across West Michigan. This funding builds on Senator Stabenow’s effort to transform the way we fund mental health and addiction treatment in America through her signature Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. Since 2018, Michigan has received over $151 million in grant funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.

 

“Because of the hard work of so many of our community partners, our mental health care and addiction initiative is a proven success story,” said Stabenow. “In Michigan and across our country, we are finally transforming the way we deliver high-quality services in our communities and the results are clear. Now more people who are struggling with mental health issues or addiction will get the treatment they need close to home.”

 

Cherry Health (Grand Rapids) will receive $1,000,000 in funding (per year for four years) to establish a new clinic.

 

Four organizations will receive funding (per year for four years) to continue and expand services:

  • $1,000,000 Network180 (Grand Rapids)
  • $1,000,000 Summit Pointe (Calhoun County)
  • $1,000,000 HealthWest (Muskegon County)
  • $1,000,000 Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo)

 

“Cherry Health is well-positioned to implement a CCBHC due to the integrated primary and behavioral health care we currently provide as the largest FQHC in Michigan. We are eager to expand and enhance our service delivery model to fill a gap in care for individuals who are currently unable to access vital mental health and substance use disorder services,” said Cherry Health President and CEO Tasha Blackmon. “Through this project, Cherry Health will focus on leveraging community partnerships to enhance care pathways and screening procedures to ensure patients are receiving the right care at the right time.”

 

“We are grateful for the renewal of this grant and happy to be able to continue serving members of our community through the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model. Over the past two years, we’ve expanded services to people we were previously unable to help, breaking down barriers to critical behavioral healthcare. This is because the CCBHC allows us to provide services to people when they first need it, rather than waiting until they are in crisis to be able to assist them. We’ve witnessed the positive impact the CCBHC has had in the lives of the people who come to us for help. By reducing the need for intensive in-patient services, we’re able to put more dollars back into programs and services that help keep people on a path to wellness. It’s a win-win for our community and Network180. Thank you, Senator Stabenow. Your legislation paved the way for the CCBHC to exist,” said Network180 Executive Director Bill Ward. 

 

“We extend our sincere appreciation to Senator Debbie Stabenow who has championed this remarkable bipartisan effort to create and sustain permanent funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in Michigan and the nation, that are designed to provide comprehensive 24/7 access to community-based mental health and substance use disorder services, treatment of co-occurring disorders, and integrated physical healthcare in one single location,” said Integrated Services of Kalamazoo CEO Jeff Patton.

 

“Our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic program has transformed the way we deliver services, by combining mental health care with physical health care. The implementation of this approach has improved individual’s overall wellness, increased client satisfaction with services and expanded access to care. We are proud to share that 4,867 individuals have received our CCBHC program services since the opening of Summit Pointe’s Psychiatric Urgent Care Center First Step in March 2021,” said Summit Pointe CEO Jeannie Goodrich.

 

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics are required to provide a comprehensive set of services including 24/7/365 crisis services; outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment services; immediate screenings, risk assessments, and diagnoses; and care coordination including partnerships with emergency rooms, law enforcement, and veterans’ groups. The clinics will be reimbursed through Medicaid for the full cost of providing services—the same way we fund community health centers for physical care. Senators Stabenow and Blunt created these community clinics through the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act, which became law in 2014.

 

Earlier this year, Senators Stabenow and Blunt championed the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which included their nationwide initiative to provide every state with funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in their communities—building on a successful effort that has shown results across the country. Michigan joined their initiative in 2020.

 

A report authored by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing shows that these community clinics are increasing access to high-quality mental health and addiction treatment that is making a difference in the lives of thousands of people in communities across the country.

 

Statistics from the Department of Health and Human Services show that people who received services at these clinics: 

·         Had 69% fewer emergency department visits. 

·         Spent 60.3% less time in jails. 

·         Saw a 40.7% decrease in homelessness.

 

Also, 84% of these clinics either already provide direct services on site at elementary, middle, and high schools or plan to in the future.

 

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