Two grants will further SummitStone’s behavioral healthcare practices
SummitStone Health Partners recently received two significant grants that will help us further our mission in behavioral healthcare. A $4 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services will support our efforts in obtaining the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) status from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
CCBHC certification is an innovative national model that standardizes expectations for quality and service in community mental health centers. The CCBHC model is part of the evolution of our field and aims to close gaps in health care disparities primarily by increasing access to behavioral health services. In Larimer County, the funding will allow SummitStone to enhance services for people from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, people who are un- or under-insured, and members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families.
This national model will also hold us accountable to our goals and allow us to compare our performance and results with other Community Behavioral Health Centers across the country. Distributed over four years, the funds will assist us in the planning, development and implementation of services and infrastructure to allow SummitStone to become a CCBHC in early fall 2023.
Focusing on quality outcomes, equity in service delivery, and filing treatment gaps are all in direct alignment with our mission and values. This was a very competitive grant, and one that will allow SummitStone to continue to emerge and serve as a leader in behavioral healthcare practices and operations.
Additionally, SummitStone is the recipient of a $3 million grant from the State of Colorado for Competency Supportive Services. Competency refers to a defendant’s capacity to participate meaningfully and make informed decisions during the criminal justice process. Competency Restoration is a therapeutic and educational process to ensure that defendants understand the role of the court, judges, lawyers, and the charges against them so that they can they receive a fair trial. Often times defendants whose competency is in question are sent to jail or the state mental health hospital and face long waits for competency assistance.
This grant will allow us to establish a “Competency Hub” in Larimer County to provide a one-stop-shop for these clients with high-needs. SummitStone is partnering on these efforts with the 8th Judicial District, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defenders Office, Larimer County Community Justice Alternatives, the Larimer County Jail, the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, and other community agencies.
This Hub concept once again puts Larimer County at the forefront of providing fair, just, and restorative services that aim to also reduce recidivism and help these clients stay in the community while taking strides to improve their lives for the long-term. It is also a continuation of efforts to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and addiction issues that can lead to criminal charges and incarceration. The end goal is to streamline this complex process and reduce the time people spend in jail or the Colorado Mental Health Institute while providing the care they need in their own community.
We say it often around here: People Can and Do Recover. We know because we see it every day.
If you have questions, suggestions or comments on our efforts, please let me know at michael.allen@summitstonehealth.org. I’d love to hear from you!
Yours in good health,
Michael G. Allen, MBA, LCSW, CAS