The Office of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) is responsible for implementing a statewide transformation of Alabama’s Behavioral Health System using the CCBHC Model of Care.  The office is responsible for providing systems change processes for Alabama’s current Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC).  Following the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) CCBHC Criteria, this office provides training and technical assistance to certified 310 CMHCs in developing the readiness necessary for this transformation.

What is a CCBHC

CCBHCs are specially designated clinics that must provide services to anyone seeking help for a mental health or substance use condition, regardless of their place of residence, ability to pay, or age. This includes any individual with a mental or substance use disorder who seeks care, including those with serious mental illness (SMI); substance use disorder (SUD) including opioid use disorder and severe SUD; children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance (SED); individuals with co-occurring mental and substance disorders (COD); and individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis.

CCBHCs offer:

  • Comprehensive, coordinated mental health and substance use services appropriate for individuals across the life span,
  • Increased access to high-quality community mental health and substance use care, including crisis care,
  • Integrated person- and family-centered services, driven by the needs and preferences of people receiving services and their families, and
  • A range of evidence-based practices, services, and supports to meet the needs of their communities.

These clinics must directly provide or contract with a Designated Collaborating Organization (DCO) to deliver nine required services:

  • Crisis Services including 24/7 mobile crisis teams, emergency crisis intervention, and crisis stabilization
  • Screening, Assessment, and Diagnosis
  • Person-Centered and Family -Centered Treatment Planning
  • Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Services
  • Primary Care Screening and Monitoring
  • Targeted Case Management Services
  • Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
  • Peer Supports and Family/Caregiver Supports
  • Community Care for Uniformed Service Members & Veterans