03 Oct Communicare Awarded $4M by SAMHSA’s CCBHC-IA Grant to Transform and Expand Behavioral Health Services in North Mississippi

Communicare Awarded $4M by SAMHSA’s CCBHC-IA Grant to Transform and Expand Behavioral Health Services in North Mississippi

 Communicare has been awarded the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Improvement and Advancement (CCBHC–IA) Grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The four-year project period provides $1 million annually, totaling $4 million in four years.

Communicare, with 55 years of dedicated service in behavioral health in Region 2, implemented one of the first Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) models of care in Mississippi under its two-year CCBHC Expansion Grant. This positioned Communicare to advance, improve and transform its CCBHC model of care with the CCBHC-IA grant. The grant will facilitate the expansion of comprehensive behavioral and primary healthcare services for a diverse range of communities, with a particular focus on underserved racial, ethnic, and LGBTQI+ minorities.

The CCBHC-IA project will serve 600 individuals across all stages of life who are in need of behavioral health services during the four-year project period. This includes individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), those with Substance Use Disorders (SUD), including opioid use disorders, children and youth with Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED), and members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families.

Communicare plans to implement a multi-pronged approach that will use a trauma-informed and culturally competent approach to expand access to a comprehensive range of outreach, treatment, and recovery supports coupled with evidence-based high-quality treatment; expanded crisis response and improved integrated primary and behavioral health outcomes.

“This grant serves as a testament to the quality and transformative work that Communicare has consistently demonstrated in Region 2 communities over the past 55 years,” said Jackie Sue Griffin, Executive Director of Jackie Sue Griffin & Associates and the grant writer for this award. “The CCBHC will continue to provide quality care and ensure an integrated, person-centered approach to primary and behavioral health services in North Mississippi,” said Executive Director of Communicare, Melody Madaris, PhD.

Overarching goals for the CCBHC-IA grant include advancing health equity with expanded access to care, expanding peer recovery-oriented care, providing person-centered care and retaining consumer involvement. Evidence-based practices include Motivational Interviewing (MI); Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT); Measurement-based Care (MBC); Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD); Rx for Change: Clinician-Assisted Tobacco Cessation; Seeking Safety; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT); Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); Peer Recovery-Oriented Support Services; and Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP).

About Jackie Sue Griffin & Associates: Jackie Sue Griffin & Associates is a leading consulting firm specializing in behavioral health, healthcare and social services and assists with grant writing, program development, evaluation, capacity building and professional development. With a commitment to creating positive and lasting change, the firm collaborates with organizations to secure grants, develop effective strategies, and implement transformative programs. For more information, visit jsg-associates.com.

About Communicare: Communicare is a distinguished 55-year experienced Community Mental Health Center serving Region 2 in North Mississippi and dedicated to providing comprehensive behavioral health, primary care, and support services to individuals and families in need. With a focus on community-driven solutions, Communicare strives to improve the well-being and quality of life for all members of society. For more information, visit communicarems.org.