Mental Health Organizations And Providers Applaud Legislation
March 11, 2022 at 3:18 a.m.
By Staff Report-
The program is known as the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (or CCBHC) program. CCBHCs are designed to provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use disorder services to vulnerable individuals; with an emphasis on the provision of 24-hour crisis care, utilization of evidence-based practices, care coordination and integration with physical health care, according to a news release from the Bowen Center.
In Indiana, there are currently 18 CCBHC grantees throughout the state that are recipients of federal grants designed to jumpstart the CCBHC program. Initial evaluation outcomes from an existing CCBHC program have shown a 73% reduction of depression and a 93% reduction of clients hospitalized for mental health reasons. Now, HEA 1222 will build upon these successes.
“Around the state our community providers have seen demand for services skyrocket” said Zoe Frantz, chief executive officer for the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers. “That’s why today’s announcement, of Gov. Holcomb signing the CCBHC legislation into law is such incredible news for the continued work of these programs and the people they serve every day. Ultimately, this program gives providers more tools to ensure those in need, will get the help they need when they reach out.”
According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, CCBHCs have played a transformative role in addressing workforce shortages, creating a more integrated care delivery system and ensuring providers meet quality metrics, stated the release. Providers advocating for HEA 1222 see the legislation as an opportunity to provide better access and higher quality care through the state.
Nationwide, 2020 was the deadliest year on record for fatal drug overdoses and they continue to be on the rise according to a report released in January by the CDC.
“Last year Indiana’s numbers rose by 23.4%. That was higher than the national increase of 15.9%,” said Dr. Rob Ryan, senior vice president of operations at Bowen Center. “We have an urgent, growing need for services but less workforce to meet that demand. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Programs will give community behavioral health agencies like Bowen Center more tools to successfully recruit and retain additional staff as well as resources to ensure that patients have access to critical, evidence-based services.”
“The legislation, HEA 1222, that was signed into law today requires the state to develop a plan for the expansion of the CCBHC program by Nov. 1. The behavioral health community has already seen demonstrable results from the CCBHC program and looks forward to supporting the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) in developing a statewide infrastructure that meets the growing need for mental health services in Indiana,” said Steve McCaffrey, CEO of Mental Health America of Indiana. “We’re grateful for the leadership of Rep Cindy Ziemke, Rep Ann Vermilion, Sen. Mike Crider and the other members of the Indiana General Assembly, Department of Mental Health and Addiction and Gov. Holcomb for the passage of this critical mental health legislation.”
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The program is known as the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (or CCBHC) program. CCBHCs are designed to provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use disorder services to vulnerable individuals; with an emphasis on the provision of 24-hour crisis care, utilization of evidence-based practices, care coordination and integration with physical health care, according to a news release from the Bowen Center.
In Indiana, there are currently 18 CCBHC grantees throughout the state that are recipients of federal grants designed to jumpstart the CCBHC program. Initial evaluation outcomes from an existing CCBHC program have shown a 73% reduction of depression and a 93% reduction of clients hospitalized for mental health reasons. Now, HEA 1222 will build upon these successes.
“Around the state our community providers have seen demand for services skyrocket” said Zoe Frantz, chief executive officer for the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers. “That’s why today’s announcement, of Gov. Holcomb signing the CCBHC legislation into law is such incredible news for the continued work of these programs and the people they serve every day. Ultimately, this program gives providers more tools to ensure those in need, will get the help they need when they reach out.”
According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, CCBHCs have played a transformative role in addressing workforce shortages, creating a more integrated care delivery system and ensuring providers meet quality metrics, stated the release. Providers advocating for HEA 1222 see the legislation as an opportunity to provide better access and higher quality care through the state.
Nationwide, 2020 was the deadliest year on record for fatal drug overdoses and they continue to be on the rise according to a report released in January by the CDC.
“Last year Indiana’s numbers rose by 23.4%. That was higher than the national increase of 15.9%,” said Dr. Rob Ryan, senior vice president of operations at Bowen Center. “We have an urgent, growing need for services but less workforce to meet that demand. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Programs will give community behavioral health agencies like Bowen Center more tools to successfully recruit and retain additional staff as well as resources to ensure that patients have access to critical, evidence-based services.”
“The legislation, HEA 1222, that was signed into law today requires the state to develop a plan for the expansion of the CCBHC program by Nov. 1. The behavioral health community has already seen demonstrable results from the CCBHC program and looks forward to supporting the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) in developing a statewide infrastructure that meets the growing need for mental health services in Indiana,” said Steve McCaffrey, CEO of Mental Health America of Indiana. “We’re grateful for the leadership of Rep Cindy Ziemke, Rep Ann Vermilion, Sen. Mike Crider and the other members of the Indiana General Assembly, Department of Mental Health and Addiction and Gov. Holcomb for the passage of this critical mental health legislation.”
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