Southwest Montana News

Governor Greg Gianforte, in collaboration with Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton, has announced that Montana is set to receive a federal grant aimed at enhancing behavioral health care services. The state is among 15 selected to benefit from a $1 million grant intended to facilitate the planning and implementation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC).

“Instead of turning our backs on those struggling with addiction, we’re investing in hope and opportunity as they get clean, sober, and healthy,” Gov. Gianforte stated. He emphasized that CCBHCs will help expand access to quality mental health and substance use services.

The initiative involves a 12-month planning phase during which DPHHS will collaborate with ten community behavioral health providers to assess community readiness and needs. “Under this model, clinics in other states are closing treatment gaps by offering a comprehensive range of behavioral health services through enhanced reimbursements,” said Brereton. He noted the increasing demand for services amid limited capacity within the current system.

This planning period will enable states to develop certification criteria for CCBHCs, establish training models, create a Medicaid reimbursement payment system, and prepare for participation in a four-year demonstration program starting in 2024. Of the 15 states receiving planning grants, ten will be chosen for this demonstration project.

Certification requirements for CCBHCs include staffing standards, service availability and accessibility, care coordination, scope of services, quality measurements, and consumer representation. DPHHS plans to form a collaborative workgroup focused on designing Montana’s certification process and related training.

“We look forward to engaging clients, providers, communities, and stakeholders on the state’s grant efforts and activities,” Brereton concluded.