HHS Awards $500 Million to Expand 24/7 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Nationwide

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced $500 million in grant awards to expand and establish 160 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in 40 states.

Ensuring Immediate 24/7 Mental Health and Addiction Crisis Care

The funding packages provide up to $4 million per clinic to ensure comprehensive, walk-in outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment regardless of a patient's insurance status or ability to pay. CCBHCs provide 24/7 mobile crisis response teams, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder, outpatient psychiatric care, and peer recovery support, directly reducing hospital emergency room overcrowding and diverting individuals in psychiatric crisis away from local county jails.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stated that mental healthcare is healthcare, affirming that expanding community behavioral health clinics guarantees every American has a safe place to turn during their darkest moments.

National Mental Health Advocates and Police Chiefs Praise

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing praised the expansion, noting that CCBHCs currently serve over 3 million Americans with proven reductions in crisis hospitalizations.

Major Cities Chiefs Association leaders commended the integration of 24/7 mobile crisis response units to assist police in behavioral health emergency calls.

Service Expansion Schedule

Grantee behavioral health clinics will expand full 24/7 clinical crisis operations starting October 1, 2026.