Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Improvement and Advancement Grant

The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Improvement and Advancement Grant, issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a discretionary grant opportunity aimed at bolstering the infrastructure and capacity of existing CCBHCs. These clinics are designated to deliver comprehensive, coordinated, and accessible mental health and substance use disorder services to individuals across the lifespan. The CCBHC model was designed to ensure that communities have access to high-quality behavioral health services, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status, and this grant seeks to advance and enhance the operational effectiveness and service delivery of these entities. This grant program specifically supports community-based behavioral health non-profit organizations and those operating under governmental or tribal health systems. Eligibility is statutorily limited to nonprofit community-based behavioral health organizations, organizations that are part of a local government behavioral health authority, or those under the Indian Health Service or affiliated with Indian tribes or Urban Indian Organizations. The focus of this funding is to allow eligible clinics to sustain and enhance their current operations, expand service reach, implement evidence-based practices, integrate primary care, and further coordinate services for people with mental health and substance use challenges. The total estimated program funding is $117,160,647, with an anticipated 117 awards to be made. While the notice does not specify individual award ceilings or floors, this estimate implies average award amounts near $1 million per recipient. Importantly, the program does not require cost-sharing or matching contributions, making it more accessible to smaller or under-resourced clinics that might not have the capacity to contribute additional funds. Applicants should monitor Grants.gov and the SAMHSA website for updates regarding the official application release, as this is a forecasted opportunity with an estimated post date of May 1, 2026. At this time, no definitive application due date, award announcement, or project start date has been specified. However, the timeline indicates the likely progression into late 2026 for project initiation. Prospective applicants should prepare by ensuring registrations in SAM.gov and Grants.gov are current and gather documentation relevant to eligibility and service capacity. Application materials will likely include standard federal forms (SF-424, budget narratives), project narratives addressing community needs, implementation strategies, staffing, and evaluation plans. While the specific evaluation criteria are not yet available, SAMHSA programs typically assess applications based on evidence of need, readiness, cultural competence, sustainability plans, and alignment with national behavioral health priorities. Program contact for this opportunity is Yasmeen Mabry, reachable at 240-276-1094 or via email at [email protected]. All inquiries should be directed to this official contact point for clarification as additional documents or notices become available closer to the estimated release date.