HHS put an additional $15 million worth of grants to support community behavioral health centers on the heels of a $296.2 investment it pledged in September.
Whereas the $296.2 million investment will be put toward establishing and improving new and existing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, the additional funds will be used to expand the system of centers to new states, according to a news release shared with Becker's on Oct. 18.
The $15 million will be distributed between up to 15 states to develop Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in the form of yearlong grants of up to $1 million.
Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers allow patients to access behavioral healthcare that meets federal standards regardless of age, place of residence or ability to pay. The centers are required to provide follow-up care within 10 days of initial treatment, the release said.
"Our mental healthcare and addiction initiative is a proven success story and is transforming mental health and addiction treatment across our country," Sen. Debbie Stabenow said in the release. "Now, every state will be able to join and make sure healthcare above the neck is funded the same way as healthcare below the neck."