SAMHSA Awards Montana with CCBHC Planning Grant
January 9, 2025
On Tuesday, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced that it awarded $1 million, one-year Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program planning grants to 14 states and Washington, D.C.
This funding—authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022—supports state efforts to address the ongoing national mental health and substance use disorder crises.
States Selected
The states selected are:
Alaska
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Louisiana
Maryland
Montana
North Carolina
North Dakota
South Dakota
Utah
Washington
West Virginia
In addition, Washington, D.C. also received an award.
NAMI Montana’s Response
NAMI Montana is incredibly grateful to the State of Montana for moving in the direction of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, submitting a planning grant application, and including significant funding for this model of behavioral health care in Governor Gianforte’s budget.
We also thank SAMHSA for including Montana among the award recipients.
Adopting a functional and sustainable financing model for Montana’s mental health care centers has been a critical priority for NAMI Montana for years, including during the current and two previous legislative sessions. While this work is challenging and long-term, it is encouraging to see these collective efforts begin to bear fruit.
From the SAMHSA Press Release
(Excerpted from the SAMHSA announcement)
In 2026, up to 10 of these states will be selected to participate in the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program and receive enhanced Medicaid reimbursement. The CCBHC planning phase assists states in developing their CCBHC certification processes, establishing prospective payment systems for Medicaid-reimbursable services, and preparing an application to participate in a four-year demonstration program.
“The planning phase for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics is an important part of states’ efforts to develop sustainable funding to support their communities’ health with equitable access to quality behavioral health care,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. “Congratulations to the selected states as they continue working for better health outcomes for all.”
CCBHCs are required to meet federal standards for the range of services they provide and to get people into care quickly. They must see people in crisis immediately—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—and provide timely routine outpatient care. CCBHCs must ensure access to a comprehensive range of services, provide care coordination when needed, and incorporate evidence-based practices and other supports based on a community needs assessment. CCBHCs are required to serve anyone who requests care for mental health or substance use, regardless of ability to pay, place of residence, or age, including developmentally appropriate care for children and youth.
The CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program provides reimbursement through Medicaid for the full cost of services CCBHCs provide, at higher and more competitive rates than community mental health centers previously received. This sustainable funding ensures clinics can provide comprehensive, coordinated care rather than fragmented services driven by billing codes.
Full SAMHSA press release:
https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20250107/biden-harris-administration-awards-fourteen-states-washington-dc-ccbhc-medicaid-demonstration-planning-grants-expanding-access-mental-health-substance-use-disorder-services
Why This Matters
This planning grant is a major step forward in healing Montana’s fractured mental health system and building a sustainable, equitable foundation for behavioral health care statewide.
We are deeply grateful to everyone involved in making this progress possible.
Matt Kuntz
Executive Director
NAMI Montana
https://www.namimt.org