A Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) is a specially-designated clinic that provides a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use services. CCBHCs serve anyone who walks through the door, regardless of their diagnosis and insurance status.

CCBHCs are responsible for providing the following nine services, which can be provided directly or through formal relationships with Designated Collaborating Organization (DCOs):

Fast Facts on CCBHCs:

3 MILLION

Estimated number of people now served by CCBHCs across the country, with consistent year-over-year growth since the model began.

87%

Percentage of CCBHCs that offer at least one form of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder, compared to 64% of substance use treatment facilities nationwide.

11,292

New staff positions hired by CCBHCs and grantees — a median of 15 per clinic, and a median of 22 at Medicaid CCBHCs.

CCBHCs Are Expanding Access:

79% of CCBHCs Serve More People Since Certification

83% Provide Services On-Site in Schools or Youth Settings

98% Partner with Criminal Justice Agencies on Innovative Initiatives

***This information was reported in the 2024 CCBHC Impact Report from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. For additional information on CCBHCs, visit the National Council’s CCBHC Overview page or SAMHSA.

Mississippi Selected for the 2026 CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration

Mississippi has been selected as one of 10 new states to join the 2026 CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through CMS and in partnership with SAMHSA, announced the selected states for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration Program.

The demonstration provides sustainable Medicaid funding to expand access to comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services. By enabling participating states to implement a prospective payment system (PPS), it helps ensure providers can deliver coordinated, whole-person care while strengthening behavioral health systems and supporting long-term financing beyond time-limited grants.

“DMH is proud that Mississippi has been selected as one of 10 new states into the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program. At the core of this program is the belief that everyone deserves access to behavioral health services and treatment, something DMH wholeheartedly stands behind,” DMH Executive Director Wendy Bailey said. “CCBHCs represent an opportunity to improve care coordination, strengthen crisis response, and provide comprehensive behavioral health services regardless of someone’s ability to pay. We look forward to continuing the work with our partners in the program.”

We look forward to sharing more about these efforts in the future!

CCBHC Planning Grant

Mississippi was one of 15 states to receive a $1 million Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) planning grant that aims to transform mental health and substance use treatment across the country by providing sustainable funding for robust community treatment services. The funding from SAMHSA provided $1 million for a 12-month planning process that prepared the state for participation in the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration. DMH selected two CMHCs to participate in this planning period: Region 2 Communicare, located in central Mississippi, and Region 6 Life Help, located in the Delta region. Both have experience providing comprehensive behavioral health services and have elevated levels of need in their service areas.

CCBHCs Will:

• Improve access to and delivery of community-based behavioral health services
• Address gaps or barriers to care in Mississippi
• Establish sustainable funding for additional investment in quality, evidence-based mental health and substance use services
• Offer more competitive wages because of the cost-based reimbursement that can aid in alleviating workforce shortages
• Be accountable for quality outcomes
• Engage stakeholders and consumers of mental health services, including youth, family members and community leaders, to provide input on a customizable approach to care that increases responsiveness to the needs of Mississippians

Seven of Mississippi’s CMHCs are already recipients of CCBHC Expansion grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the federal agency that leads public health efforts regarding behavioral health in the nation. Those recipients are:

Get Involved in Mississippi’s CCBHC Efforts

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is excited about the opportunity to serve anyone who walks through the door, regardless of their diagnosis and insurance status. To develop the best approach for Mississippi, we need your input and involvement. Our work will only be successful if we engage you and others to help implement CCBHCs in a way that meets the unique needs of Mississippi.

For more information about CCBHCs, please contact DMH Director of Strategic Partnerships Caleb Pracht at caleb.pracht@dmh.ms.gov.