Pritzker administration announces expansion of certified community behavioral health clinics — with two from Quincy

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) announced Thursday that the 19 certified behavioral health clinics (CCBHC) participating in a federal Medicaid demonstration program now offer mental health care and substance use treatment services. The model significantly increases access to behavioral health care, including crisis care, for people who may otherwise experience challenges accessing the services they need.  

Among the 19 CCBHCs now providing services are Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc., and Transitions of Western Illinois, Inc., both of Quincy.

“Thanks to the close collaboration with the participating providers and our sister agency, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), enhanced behavioral health services are now available to individuals at 19 locations across Illinois,” HFS Director Elizabeth Whitehorn said. “Access to high-quality behavioral health services is critical, and this program will help us to serve individuals who are in crisis and have previously struggled to access the services they need to be well.”

Earlier this year, Illinois was selected as one of 10 states to participate in the federal CCBHC Medicaid demonstration program designed to expand and improve access to coordinated services. The program provides reimbursement through Medicaid for the full cost of services that CCBHCs provide and at higher rates than community mental health centers previously received for Medicaid customers. The participating clinics’ services must meet federal standards, and they must serve anyone who requests care for their mental health or substance use condition, regardless of age, ability to pay or location. 

“The extensive collaboration between HFS, other state departments, the trade associations and Illinois’ behavioral health providers to implement the CCBHC as a model of care is phenomenal,” Chief Behavioral Health Officer David T. Jones said. “The CCBHC’s across 19 locations will expand capacity to access, quality mental health and substance use disorder services, with the goal of improving integrated health outcomes throughout the state.”

CCBHCs provide access to a range of services and care coordination, and they incorporate evidence-based practices and other supports based on a community needs assessment. This includes crisis services that are available 24/7. CCBHCs are required to provide routine outpatient care within 10 business days. 

Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont also were chosen to take part in the four-year federal CCBHC Medicaid demonstration this year. Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, and Oregon already are part of the program.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available by calling or texting 988 or via chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health or substance use issues, visit FindSupport.gov. Locate treatment providers by visiting FindTreatment.gov or calling 800-662-HELP (4357).