Highlight Success of Transformational Behavioral Health Initiative in Kalamazoo
KALAMAZOO – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow joined Integrated Services of Kalamazoo CEO Jeff Patton and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon to highlight the transformational behavioral health services provided by the clinic. Integrated Services of Kalamazoo is one of 34 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Michigan, a highly successful initiative created by Senator Stabenow.
“Integrated Services of Kalamazoo is transforming the way that we deliver behavioral health services in our community,” said Senator Stabenow. “My mental health care and substance use disorder initiative is a proven success story and is transforming care in Michigan and across our country. Now, every state will be able to join and make sure health care above the neck is funded the same way as health care below the neck. Because of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, help through our highly successful clinics will begin to reach people in every corner of our country.”
“The early success of our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Kalamazoo County is rooted in our highly qualified staff, service providers and strong support from our community, the State of Michigan and SAMHSA. Our CCBHC furthers the mission and purpose of Integrated Services of Kalamazoo to empower people we serve to succeed,” said Jeff Patton, CEO of Integrated Services of Kalamazoo.
“Today, I was pleased to visit two Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in the state of Michigan with Senator Stabenow,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA.“CCBHCs are transforming behavioral health systems in this country, and we know that the model of care works. They decrease homelessness, incarcerations, emergency room, and hospital stays, and the use of illegal substances with 24/7 access to crisis stabilization.”
Last year, Senator Stabenow led the passage of the transformational initiative to fully fund high-quality mental health and substance use disorder services through Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, a program implemented and supported by SAMHSA. Due to the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, every state and the District of Columbia can expand transformational behavioral health support to their residents. Michigan began participating in Stabenow’s behavioral health initiative in 2021.
These Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics are transforming community care by setting high-quality standards of care and then funding mental health and addiction services as health care through Medicaid. This is the same successful structure used for federally qualified health centers.
In order to receive enhanced Medicaid funding, the clinics are required to provide crisis services that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and serve anyone who requests care for mental health or substance use disorder, regardless of their ability to pay. Other high-quality services are required as well, including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment services; immediate screenings, risk assessments, and diagnoses; and care coordination including partnerships with emergency rooms, law enforcement, and veterans’ groups.
The Department of Health and Human Services found that people who receive care at these clinics had:
- 74% reduction in hospitalization
- 68% reduction in visits to the emergency room
- 33% decrease in homelessness
Also, 84% of these clinics either already provide direct services on-site at elementary, middle, and high schools or plan to in the future.
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