Senator Stabenow Announces Selection of Michigan’s First Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics

Announcement Made Possible by Stabenow’s Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Act

Thursday, September 20, 2018

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today announced that four Michigan community mental health centers have been selected as the state’s first-ever Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. The four clinics are Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Easter Seals Michigan Inc. in Auburn Hills, West Michigan Community Mental Health System in Ludington and Muskegon HealthWest. Each clinic will receive $4 million in funding over the next two years to provide comprehensive behavioral health and addiction treatment services.

 

Today’s announcement is a direct result of the passage of the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Act by Senator Stabenow and Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) in 2014. This law is transforming the way behavioral health and addiction treatment services are delivered across the country with the establishment of new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. These 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.

 

“One in five Americans lives with some type of mental illness yet fewer than half of those individuals get the treatment they need,” said Senator Stabenow. “That’s why I’ve been committed to making sure we fund mental health treatment the same way we fund other health care. Now these Michigan clinics will have the resources they need to expand community mental health and addiction services.”

 

“We are very excited that KCMHSAS is one of 25 sites selected in the nation to receive this grant award,” said Jeff Patton, CEO of Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. “SAMHSA expects that CCBHCs will improve the behavioral health of individuals across the nation by providing comprehensive community-based mental health and substance use disorder services; treating co-occurring disorders; advancing the integration of behavioral health and physical health care; assimilating and utilizing evidence-based practices on a more consistent basis and promoting improved access to high quality care. The grant awarded to KCMHSAS will further move our organization towards the future in becoming a federally recognized Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.”

 

“I have worked with the Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service in order to work towards individuals with mental illness who need treatment and services receive them rather than end up in the county jail or judicial system,” said Sheriff Richard Fuller, Kalamazoo County Sheriff. “Expanding community mental health services, including 24 hour crisis service, will ensure these individuals get the help they need.”

 

“This grant award is an exciting opportunity for our West Michigan CMH team to continue to improve access to behavioral health services and support in our three rural counties,” said Lisa Williams, Executive Director of the West Michigan Community Mental Health System. “We believe that strong partnerships with the people and communities we serve have the potential to make a difference in people’s lives forever. We are grateful for our partnership with Senator Stabenow and her leadership in the effort to improve mental health systems in Michigan.”

 

“Two years ago we began to expand and enhance our services in order to meet the criteria for CCBHC, we moved forward because it is the right model and results in better outcomes,” said Julia Rupp, CEO of HealthWest. “We were able to get the momentum going with the help of other time limited grants. These 2 million dollars will give us the opportunity to continue these efforts, expanding number of people served through improved access and earlier interventions.”

 

“The impact of this grant is priceless, as it affords us the ability to provide services that we only dreamed of but did not have the funding.  We will amplify our service delivery, increase our workforce, improve our outreach, and enhance technology, all to better meet the needs of those living in Oakland County and the surrounding area,” said Brent Wirth, President and CEO of Easterseals. “We anticipate serving 1,545 new individuals and substantially expanding services to an additional 3,100, nearly 50% of the over 7,000 people we are serving today.”

 

This funding comes from the Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants program administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Senator Stabenow recently secured $150 million to fund this grant program. Michigan has the most clinics of any state to receive funding through this grant program.