Health Journal Online

Tag: Model

  • The Most Effective Community Mental Health Clinic Model Just Received More Than 3 Million in New Federal Funding

    The Most Effective Community Mental Health Clinic Model Just Received More Than $223 Million in New Federal Funding

    The most evidence-based community mental health delivery model in the United States just received its largest single infusion of federal funding in years. On June 17, 2026, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced more than $700 million in new behavioral health investments — including $223.1 million specifically for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) — during a visit to an Easterseals MORC CCBHC clinic in Clinton Township, Michigan.

    The announcement also introduced the STREETS program ($96 million), designed to connect people experiencing homelessness to addiction and mental health treatment, and $211.1 million to improve local 988 crisis line capacity. The total package represents one of the most significant federal investments in community behavioral health since the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022.

    Why This Matters

    The United States faces a profound mental health and substance use disorder crisis that costs lives and strains emergency rooms, jails, hospitals, and families. More than 57 million adults in the U.S. experienced a mental illness in the past year, and more than 28 million had a substance use disorder. Fewer than half of those with mental illness received any treatment.

    The CCBHC model was specifically designed to close that gap. Unlike traditional outpatient mental health clinics that operate on business hours and serve only those who can afford to wait, CCBHCs must provide same-day care regardless of patients’ ability to pay, 24-hour mobile crisis response, integrated treatment for both mental illness and substance use disorders, peer support services, and primary care screening.

    And unlike many promising models in mental health, CCBHCs have been rigorously studied — and the evidence works.

    What We Know So Far

    According to SAMHSA’s grants dashboard, the $223.1 million for CCBHCs breaks down as $94 million for CCBHC Planning, Development, and Implementation grants and $117.1 million for CCBHC Improvement and Advancement grants, plus $12 million for state planning grants. Individual clinic grants can reach up to $1 million per year.

    The HHS announcement specifically framed the investment as part of President Trump’s Great American Recovery Initiative, an anti-addiction and mental health policy platform.

    “Every community deserves access to effective behavioral health services that help people prevent addiction, achieve recovery, address mental health challenges, and respond to crises,” said Christopher D. Carroll, principal deputy assistant secretary of SAMHSA. “Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics are a cornerstone of this effort, providing comprehensive, community-based care that helps people sustain recovery and rebuild their lives.”

    What the CCBHC Model Requires

    To be certified as a CCBHC, a clinic must meet nine mandatory service requirements established under Section 223 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 and made permanent under the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act. Those requirements include:

    • 24-hour mobile crisis response
    • Same-day outpatient mental health and substance use treatment
    • Screening, assessment, and diagnosis
    • Primary care screening and monitoring for chronic disease
    • Peer support and family support services
    • Targeted case management
    • Psychiatric rehabilitation
    • Community-based mental health care for veterans
    • Services for individuals experiencing a substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder

    The requirement that no patient be turned away due to inability to pay — and that same-day care must be available — distinguishes CCBHCs from most mental health providers in the current system.

    Where the Impact Would Be Greatest

    CCBHCs are concentrated in communities that have historically had the least access to behavioral health care: rural areas, low-income urban neighborhoods, and communities with significant populations of people experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring mental illness and medical conditions.

    The CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program — which provides enhanced federal Medicaid funding to states that implement the model — now includes 10 new states following a June 2024 expansion round. Colorado submitted a new CCBHC Demonstration application in March 2026, reflecting growing state-level interest in the program.

    States that have implemented the CCBHC Demonstration have seen measurable improvements in access to care, including reductions in emergency department visits and psychiatric hospitalizations for participating patients.

    What Doctors and Experts Say

    Research on the CCBHC model has consistently shown reductions in emergency department visits, reduced psychiatric hospitalizations, improved treatment retention for both mental illness and substance use disorder, and better coordination between behavioral health and primary care.

    According to SAMHSA, the CCBHC Improvement and Advancement grants are designed to “enhance and improve CCBHCs that currently meet the CCBHC Certification Criteria,” recognizing that existing clinics benefit from sustained investment to maintain the demanding services the model requires.

    The announcement of the STREETS program — which specifically focuses on moving people from the streets into treatment and recovery — reflects the connection between untreated mental illness, substance use disorder, and homelessness that advocates have long documented.

    What the Evidence Shows — and What It Does Not

    The CCBHC model has been studied more rigorously than most community mental health approaches. Multiple evaluations of the original eight-state CCBHC Demonstration Program, which began in 2017, documented reduced emergency department visits and hospitalizations, improved access to care in underserved communities, increased treatment retention, and greater integration between behavioral health and primary care.

    The model is not a cure for the U.S. mental health crisis. There are not enough CCBHCs to serve the full population that needs them. The certification process takes 12 to 18 months, meaning new grants announced today will not produce new clinics immediately. And the model requires ongoing federal and state funding to maintain its elevated service requirements — making it more vulnerable to funding disruptions than simpler models.

    Who Faces the Greatest Risk Without Access?

    Communities and individuals most in need of CCBHC services include:

    • Adults with serious mental illness who lack insurance or are enrolled in Medicaid
    • People with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders
    • Veterans with PTSD, depression, or substance use disorders
    • People experiencing homelessness or housing instability
    • Residents of rural counties without local psychiatric care
    • Children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance

    What You Can Do Now

    • Check whether a CCBHC is available in your community. SAMHSA maintains a behavioral health treatment services locator at findtreatment.gov.
    • If you or someone you know is in a mental health or substance use crisis, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. The June 17 announcement also included $211.1 million for 988 capacity expansion.
    • If you are a mental health provider or community organization interested in CCBHC certification, contact your state behavioral health authority for information on the certification process.
    • Patients currently enrolled in Medicaid can ask their caseworker whether CCBHC services are available in their plan.

    Cost and Access: What Patients Should Know

    CCBHCs are required to serve patients regardless of their ability to pay. For uninsured patients, CCBHCs operate on a sliding scale and may coordinate with other federal programs including Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program services, substance use block grants, and community health centers.

    Most CCBHC services are billable to Medicaid, and the CCBHC Demonstration provides enhanced federal Medicaid matching rates to participating states, increasing the financial sustainability of the model.

    What Happens Next

    The grants announced June 17 will be awarded through SAMHSA’s competitive grant process over the coming months. New CCBHC Planning, Development, and Implementation grantees will spend their first year building toward certification, with the goal of becoming fully certified CCBHCs and eventually Medicaid Demonstration participants. MedicalDaily will track the expansion of CCBHC capacity and 988 upgrades as new clinics come online.

    The Bottom Line

    The CCBHC model works, and it just received its largest federal investment in years. These clinics provide same-day psychiatric care, round-the-clock crisis response, and integrated addiction treatment to the communities that need it most — without turning anyone away for inability to pay. For the millions of Americans who cannot access mental health care today, this funding represents a meaningful step toward closing the gap. The next step is getting people through the doors.

    References

    Source link

  • Inside AffirmedRx’s Patient Care Advocate Model That Turns Pharmacy Calls into Compassion

    Inside AffirmedRx’s Patient Care Advocate Model That Turns Pharmacy Calls into Compassion

    For Greg Baker, Chief Executive Officer of AffirmedRx, advocacy is a responsibility. Their Patient Care Advocate (PCA) model reflects that belief, offering a unique way to think about pharmacy benefits that centers on personal connection, proactive engagement, and meaningful support for members.

    AffirmedRx is a Public Benefit Corporation and a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) committed to transparency, fairness, and improving the member experience. The company partners with employers and organizations to manage prescription drug benefits with a focus on clarity, access, and accountability. “Our purpose has always been to build trust in an area that can often feel confusing for members,” Baker says. “We are here to simplify that experience and make sure every person gets the care they need.”

    At the heart of this approach lies the PCA model, a relationship-driven framework where each advocate serves as a consistent point of contact for members. Whether coordinating prior authorizations, helping locate cost-effective options, or clarifying benefit details, the advocate remains committed until the issue is fully resolved. “We don’t measure success by call length or volume,” Baker notes. “We measure it by resolution and trust.”

    Technology helps make that possible. The PCA platform integrates real-time claim visibility and data-driven alerts, allowing advocates to identify when a member may need help even before they reach out. “The technology provides insight,” Baker says, “but it’s the human connection that provides the solution.”

    That connection often becomes life-changing. Earlier this year, during a conversation with a member, an AffirmedRx advocate unearthed that a member’s heart failure medication was a financial barrier. Recognizing that delays could affect the member’s health, she immediately began researching alternative access options. She found a patient assistance program through the manufacturer that could supply the medication at no cost and coordinated the necessary paperwork with both the prescribing physician and the patient. To ensure continuity of care, she also arranged for the physician to provide samples during the approval process. Within days, the member was enrolled in the program and received their medication free of charge through the end of the year.

    “The member didn’t have to experience the stress of waiting or worrying about affordability,” says Megan Mullaney, VP, Client Management of AffirmedRx. “That’s the impact of an advocate, someone working quietly in the background to make sure care continues without disruption.”

    AffirmedRx’s approach is structured around consistency and compassion. Each advocate is trained as a community health worker, equipped with both clinical and interpersonal skills to support members in ways that go beyond pharmacy coordination. Advocates help members access assistance programs, locate community health resources, and even understand the practical steps to maintain adherence. “A PCA’s role is part navigator, part listener, part problem-solver,” Baker says. “It’s about understanding the whole person, not just the prescription.”

    The data underscores the value of that approach. According to Baker, AffirmedRx’s PCAs have completed more than 52,000 proactive outreach calls so far this year, reaching members before small barriers turn into larger challenges. Baker emphasizes that these interactions are intentional efforts to anticipate needs, clarify options, and build trust. “It’s about being present before someone asks for help,” Baker says.

    That attentiveness can also benefit employers. By resolving pharmacy concerns directly with members, PCAs help reduce the administrative load often placed on human resources or benefits teams. “When we take on the role of advocate, it means fewer interruptions for our clients and more confidence that their employees are being supported,” Mullaney says. “It creates a sense of assurance that the system is working as it should.”

    The ripple effects extend to overall well-being and continuity of care. Studies have shown that when medication costs exceed $125, a significant percentage of patients choose not to fill their prescriptions. AffirmedRx’s PCA model addresses this gap by identifying cost barriers early and finding alternative pathways or resources to keep members on their treatment plans. “Adherence is about removing the obstacles that keep people from getting the care they deserve,” says Baker.

    As a Public Benefit Corporation, AffirmedRx integrates purpose into every level of its operations. The PCA program is an expression of that mission, a blend of technology, empathy, and accountability designed to serve both individuals and organizations. “We believe that care should always start with listening,” Mullaney says. “When we listen, we learn. And when we act on what we learn, we build a system that truly supports people.”

    For Baker, that philosophy defines the future of pharmacy benefit management: one that moves forward through collaboration, transparency, and compassion. “Every time an advocate helps someone access the medication they need, it’s a reminder of why we are here,” Baker says. “It’s about care in the truest sense of the word.”

    Source link

  • How to Model Mindfulness When Talking to Kids

    How to Model Mindfulness When Talking to Kids

    Kids are highly perceptive—so how can we give them feedback while also modeling mindfulness, calm, and kindness? Mindfulness Director and educator Alex Tzelnic shares tried-and-true tips for effective, mindful communication, whether in the classroom or at home.

    Summary

    • Modeling mindfulness when we communicate with kids and students is a research-backed educational tool.
    • Giving wise feedback is a framework for encouraging students’ learning, without the sense they’re being criticized.
    • Teachers can create a Mindful Language Cheat Sheet with go-to phrases for clarity, calm, and kindness.

    As much as we might like to believe that growing up involves possessing wisdom, kids have a way of undermining that perception. Think of how often our most well-intentioned advice is met with a dramatic eye roll. It can even feel like sarcasm is the primary purpose of eyeballs, with sight being just a byproduct, particularly if it is unsolicited feedback you’ve deigned to offer up.

    Yet kids are also often in need of feedback. Without feedback they would be in danger of losing the eyes they are so adept at rolling (“Don’t run with scissors!”). Of course, their job is to test boundaries, and our job as educators and caregivers is to nudge them toward navigating those boundaries independently without letting them fall off the cliff. It can be a delicate balance.

    As a Mindfulness Director at a PK-8 school, I often think about the ways we communicate with students and how language can be such a powerful way to model mindfulness.

    What Happens When Teachers Model Mindfulness?

    At the start of this school year, I shared with the faculty at my school just how impactful our communication styles can be. I related one of my favorite studies on mindfulness. It involved 599 high school students, and took place over the course of the year. The study found that students that had merely perceived their teachers as more mindful at the start of the year showed greater development in mindfulness and compassion by the end of the year.

    The point I was trying to make was that one doesn’t have to have a deeply developed personal practice to have an impact on student well-being. As someone trying to encourage teachers to incorporate mindfulness into their classrooms, I wanted to let them know their ability to implicitly model mindfulness might be more powerful than any explicit mindfulness lessons. After all, teaching your own curriculum is challenging in and of itself, and people feel uncomfortable implementing a tool that is not part of their own personal repertoire. If somebody asked me to start weaving chemistry into my lessons, I’d be hard-pressed to even know where to begin.

    One doesn’t have to have a deeply developed personal practice to have an impact on student well-being.

    It can be illuminating to grasp that how we show up and engage with students can be a crucial factor in their development. The study identified the characteristics of a mindful teacher as one that is calm, clear, and kind. The researchers concluded, “The presence of a calm, clear, and kind teacher can support students’ holistic growth, whether through modeling or need fulfillment.” Language can impart the kind of coded lessons that could meaningfully influence student behavior, letting them know that they are seen and supported, and in turn helping them see and support others.

    How to Give Wise Feedback

    Of course, it can be difficult to communicate with clarity, calmness, and kindness, particularly when you are outnumbered by an audience that is there because it has to be, and not necessarily because it wants to be. Though we might assume our statements are innocuous, from the student perspective much of our communication can feel critical. Asking, “Did you complete the assignment?” could be interpreted by a student as their teacher thinking they’re  too inept to remember to get work done on their own.

    To help with inadvertent critiquing, I also shared the concept of “wise feedback” with my faculty. Psychologist David Yeager explained that providing a clear and transparent statement about the reason feedback is being given helps adolescents understand that one has high standards that can be met, and the feedback comes across as encouragement rather than nagging. “I’m wondering if you completed that assignment, because there are some fascinating nuggets in there and I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on them,” lands much differently.

    Language can impart the kind of coded lessons that could meaningfully influence student behavior, letting them know that they are seen and supported, and in turn helping them see and support others.

    Yeager pointed to a study he conducted in which seventh grade social studies teachers returned papers to their students with corrections and either a neutral note or a note featuring wise feedback. Eighty percent of students who received the wise feedback ended up revising their essays as opposed to forty percent in the neutral note group. Anecdotally, I can report that the use of wise feedback in my own pedagogy has led to a significant reduction in eye rolling.

    Mindful Language, Made Easy

    At the end of my session with the faculty, I expressed that I was confident most teachers probably already do express the elements of mindful teaching even if they don’t realize it. One of the hallmarks for being an educator is having the patience and compassion required to nurture learning. But in the words of the Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki, “You are perfect as you are and you could use a little improvement.” To expand our collective repertoire of mindful phrases, I gave everyone an index card so that we could take advantage of the assembled wisdom.

    I asked teachers to help me create a “mindful language cheat sheet” that featured language they use when they are trying to communicate with clarity, calmness, and kindness. In other words, it was a collection of wise feedback. I then sent out a document that compiled these phrases, which featured such pearls of wisdom as:

    • Everything is figureoutable.
    • Worrying is paying a debt you don’t owe.
    • This is one day. There are many days.
    • Everyone’s best looks different. Focus on what your best looks like.
    • I’m walking with you in this.
    • When in doubt, breathe it out.

    Thus, we were equipped with language to start the year that could help cut to the heart of the matter, support students through challenging moments, and bring a little levity to the proceedings.

    In the ancient lore of meditation and mindfulness, we hear stories of legendary teachers who effortlessly transmit all their wisdom to adoring and rapt students in a single act. It’s an impossibly high bar for modern educators, of course, and not how regular learning occurs, which is most often in tiny moments that accumulate over the course of years. For us mere mortals that find ourselves in the position of dispensing wisdom—whether it is to students of mindfulness, students of chemistry, or students of Play-Doh—it typically takes a much higher word count to get our point across. Teaching is hard. But don’t forget, everything is figureoutable.



    Source link