NH Delegation Welcomes $1 Million Planning Grant from SAMHSA to Develop Comprehensive Behavioral Health Care in NH
The New Hampshire delegation announced that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) selected New Hampshire as one of 15 states to receive a $1 million, one-year planning grant as part of its national expansion of the Medicaid-funded Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration program under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Because of this new funding, the state will start plans to greatly expand access to community-based, integrated behavioral health services. The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model is a high-quality, evidence-based approach that will result in better mental health and substance use disorder support for Granite Staters statewide.
“Access to health care is vital for our communities, and it’s important that we continue working to increase access to substance use and mental health care in particular,” said Pappas. “New Hampshire has been at the forefront of addressing the mental health and substance misuse crisis, and I’m glad to see we’re among the states receiving these funds. I look forward to working with the state and public health experts to develop a plan to comprehensively address the mental health crisis and improve resources for those in need.”
“This is a huge opportunity for New Hampshire providers to expand care services for our most vulnerable populations,” said Shaheen. “Providing our state with the federal dollars necessary to bring New Hampshire in line with behavioral health clinic national standards is a significant step forward in closing the gap on access to care for those who need it but cannot afford it. I appreciate SAMHSA for giving New Hampshire this opportunity, and look forward to working with the State to submit a strong application.”
“Mental health and substance misuse continues to be a real challenge for many Granite Staters, from patients in need of medication-assisted treatment to young people struggling with depression,” said Hassan. “It is crucial that we invest in health care so that we can help patients who too often face these challenges alone. While there is much more still to do, I am glad that New Hampshire is receiving this grant to help address the opioid epidemic and improve access to mental health care.”
“From comprehensive mental health support to substance use disorder treatment, Community Behavioral Health Clinics fill a critical role in our health care system. I am thrilled to see New Hampshire move forward in the application process for the CCBHC Medicaid demonstration program,” said Kuster, founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “The Granite State would be an excellent site for this initiative, and I look forward to supporting our state’s strong application.”