Special to Iredell Free News

RALEIGH — More people in North Carolina will have better access to both the behavioral health and physical health care services they need through several behavioral health clinics across the state, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday.

The NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services is awarding $20 million in funding to five Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) to expand access to evidence-based, integrated behavioral and physical health care in their communities. This marks the first time NCDHHS is funding this program, making the award the first of its kind.

CCBHCs provide comprehensive, integrated services that support individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED) and co-occurring SMI or SED and Substance Use Disorder. Services include:

♦ 24/7 crisis intervention services;
♦ Outreach, screening and assessment;
♦ Person-centered treatment planning;
♦ Evidence-based treatment and recovery supports;
♦ Integrated behavioral and physical health care;
♦ Care coordination with primary care providers, hospitals and other medical providers; and
♦ Connections with other providers and public service systems

“This investment will give our communities better access to critical health services,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “Expanding integrated care to individuals and families, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay, is not only the right thing to do but also a smart investment in the overall health of North Carolinians.”

Awards have been made to community behavioral health provider organizations in Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville and Raleigh to serve those cities and surrounding areas:

♦ Anuvia Prevention & Recovery Center (Charlotte);
♦ B&D Integrated Health Services (Durham);
♦ Cumberland County Community Mental Health Center (Fayetteville);
♦ Mountain Area Health Education Center (Asheville); and
♦ Southlight Healthcare (Raleigh)

“This program embodies the principle of whole-person care,” said DMH/DD/SAS Director Deepa Avula. “Additionally, the CCBHC model is widely recognized as key to advancing health in an easy, accessible manner.”

The CCBHC grant awards will fund the expansion of existing CCBHC programs and the development of new programs. The funds were made available through the American Rescue Plan Act 2021, via the Mental Health Block Grant through the NCDHHS DMH/DD/SAS.