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SEK mental health facilities achieve CCBHC certification

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Labette Center for Mental Health Services and Spring River Mental Health and Wellness recently announced Provisional Certification as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) in Kansas, with Crawford County Mental Health Center expected to receive Provisional Certification later this fall. Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) across the state have been transitioning to this new model of care since 2022. In addition to state CCBHC certification, Labette Center, Spring River, and Crawford County Mental Health had all previously been awarded a grant from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) for planning, development, and implementation of the CCBHC model.

A CCBHC is a specially designated clinic that provides a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use services. CCBHC's work to ensure access to integrated, evidence-based substance use disorder and mental health treatment services. As a major system enhancement, the CCBHC model is designed to better meet the needs of the communities they serve. 

“There is an increased recognition that mental health services are an important component of the health care service array,” said Kyle Kessler, Executive Director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers. “The CCBHC model ensures that Kansans have access not only to mental health services but also to integrated care that emphasizes recovery, wellness, trauma-informed care, and physical behavioral health integration.”

CCBHCs provide an integrated approach to behavioral health and primary care, including crisis behavioral health services, outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services, primary care screening and monitoring, reduced wait times for services, and targeted outreach to veterans and active military members, with a focus on coordinated care across health care and other service provider systems.

Spring River has expanded crisis services and has implemented Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Same Day Access for initial mental health and substance use disorder assessments. 

“This is such an exciting time for us. Becoming a CCBHC allows us to serve the community to the best of our ability, while being innovative and forward-thinking, to meet the needs of today and tomorrow,” said Stacy Manbeck, Executive Director of Spring River Mental Health & Wellness. “I’m thankful for the support of our Board and the hard work of our staff that helped us attain this achievement.”

The CCBHC model of care system gives Labette Center the tools it needs to support a range of mental health and substance use treatment services, providing expanded care while helping to improve access to crisis services and coordinated care across the behavioral health system. 

“It is an amazing time to be a part of mental health services right now,” stated Matthew Atteberry, LSCSW, Executive Director of the Center. “As a result of a year and half of intense effort, Labette Center is pleased to be able to announce to the community that we have accomplished the goal of receiving the status of provisional certification for being a CCBHC.” 

Atteberry added that becoming a CCBHC is an amazing enhancement to the services they currently provide. This includes enhancing 24/7 crisis services to provide even more benefit to the community, adding Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and continuing to offer Same Day Access to make starting services with Labette Center more feasible for individuals. 

“This will help us to continue providing the quality care individuals in Labette County are accustomed to and grow to fit the upcoming needs of the community as well,” Atteberry said.

As a result of the transition to CCBHC, Crawford County Mental Health has implemented Same Day Access, MAT, ACT, and Individual Placement and Support (IPS), in addition to expansion of current services. 

“CCBHC is an opportunity for us to better meet the mental health needs of our community. This is an opportunity for us to enhance and expand our service array, eliminate barriers, and provide quicker access to mental health care for our community,” stated Heather Spaur, Executive Director of Crawford County Mental Health Center. “I am honored and humbled to be part of this transition. I am grateful for the support of our Governing Board and the Crawford County Commissioners, and I am so proud of our staff for their hard work, dedication, and passion to successfully implement and achieve CCBHC Certification.”

The CCBHC Model is a product of strong collaboration between community mental health centers and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. 

“We are proud of the partnership we’ve developed with several Southeast Kansas mental health facilities to grow their services and expand the state’s CCBHC program,” KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “Each facility that receives CCBHC certification moves our state closer to ensuring access to comprehensive substance use and mental health treatment services for our citizens, reduced wait times and more robust crisis services.”