Pennsylvania Awarded Innovative Behavioral Health Grant

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Ted Dallas announced that Pennsylvania was awarded a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration grant by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The commonwealth is one of eight states selected out of 24 applicants to receive the grant. While the ultimate amount of additional funds received is dependent on the usage of the CCBHC program, DHS estimates it could be an additional $10 million in federal funding.

The federal grant encourages states to adopt innovative approaches in the delivery of community-based behavioral health services. According to SAMHSA, the demonstration is part of a comprehensive effort to integrate behavioral health with physical health care, increase consistent use of evidence-based practices, and improve access to high-quality care for people with mental health and substance use disorders.

DHS will receive an enhanced federal matching rate on the payments to the CCBHCs, made through either the behavioral health managed care plans or the Fee-For-Service program. The funding is used to provide for improved access to high-quality behavioral health care, which is patient and family driven, delivered using evidence-based practices and takes into consideration the needs of the whole person.

"This grant is one of the most significant investments in community behavioral health in decades and has the potential to transform the way these services are delivered in the commonwealth," said Dallas. "We are committed to providing Pennsylvanians with access to high-quality services in their communities and look forward to improving the way individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders receive help."

DHS was previously awarded an $886K planning grant used to certify CCHBCs, solicit input from stakeholders, and establish prospective payment systems for demonstration reimbursable services. As a result of that planning work, the department selected the following 10 CCBHC locations, set to implement in July 2017:

• Berks Counseling Center, Berks County
• Cen Clear Child Services, Clearfield County
• Cen Clear Punxsy, Jefferson County
• Community Council Health Systems, Philadelphia County
• NHS Human Services, Delaware County
• Northeast Treatment Centers, Philadelphia County
• Pittsburgh Mercy, Allegheny County
• Resources for Human Development, Montgomery County
• Safe Harbor Behavioral Health of UPMC Hamot, Erie County
• The Guidance Center, McKean County

These CCBHCs will:

• enhance access to behavioral health services for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries,
• help individuals with mental health and substance use disorders obtain the health care they need to maintain their health and well-being,
• allow individuals to have access to a wide array of services at one location, and
• remove the barriers that too often exist across physical and behavioral health systems.

The award is made possible through Section 223 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, as part of a comprehensive effort to integrate behavioral health with physical health care.

For more information on the Section 223 Demonstration Program for CCBHCs visit http://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid-chip-program-information/by-topics/financing-and-reimbursement/223-demonstration-for-ccbhc.html.

Media Contact: Rachel Kostelac, 717.425.7606 

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Human Services