On this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing, host Mohini Venkatesh sat down with Andi Smith from Ballmer Group’s Washington team to explore how the capitalization of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) is fundamentally changing the way community and behavioral health care is delivered in America. During this episode, Mohini Venkatesh and Andi Smith discuss the increasing adoption of the CCBHC model through Medicaid funding and philanthropic partnerships. CCBHCs are becoming the norm, not the expectation, for how communities can receive care and services. Dive deeper into what makes the backbone of a CCBHC, philanthropy’s partnership with public dollars and how Ballmer Group’s advocacy for the CCBHC model is creating scalable change in the way we think about and deliver behavioral health care services. For public and private organizations, policymakers and healthcare providers seeking to advance the way behavioral health care services are delivered, this discussion offers a first-hand view of how the CCBHC model works to support communities across the nation.
Ballmer Group
Ballmer Group has become a landmark in expanding access to behavioral health in America. From early learning, behavioral health, child welfare, housing and more, their mission is to provide economic mobility and expand access to care for kids and families across the U.S. Andi explains that the company quickly learned you cannot get these types of positive community outcomes unless you have access to behavioral health services. Leveraging from the CCBHC model has increased access to care through sustainable payment and has changed the experience for clients coming in care and access to a broader range of services.
CCBHCs thrive when they are deeply rooted within their community. Both Mohini and Andi emphasize the power of connecting and partnering with schools, jails, law enforcement and more. Providers are able to meet society where they are and get them access to high quality care and early intervention. This type of involvement results in many positive outcomes, such as higher graduation rates and better housing placements. Because of this engagement, providers and policy makers can visibly grasp behavioral health as a community-wide issue rather than a service silo.
Public Dollars and Private Philanthropy
Andi explains that mental health philanthropy is happening at the intersections of everything: mental health and child welfare, mental health and child education, mental health and housing, etc. Philanthropy must be a catalyst for the change. This partnership of public dollars and private philanthropy creates a space for prioritization and case-making, giving government agencies the time and space to focus on the issues at hand.
The Future of Access to Behavioral Health Care
The CCBHC model has already dramatically changed the way people can access and obtain health care services. The potential to give people universal access to care services without navigating fragmented systems is unmatched. Giving these clinics the support and attention they deserve to provide healthy and happy workforces with high retention will equal stronger community integration across schools, housing, public safety and social services.
Meet the Guest
Andi Smith is the Executive Director of National Behavioral Health and Ballmer Group’s Washington team, where she leads strategy and investments to improve economic mobility for children and families across the state. She brings deep expertise in public systems and policy, with a focus on child welfare, behavioral health, early childhood, disability, housing, and services for youth experiencing homelessness.
Listen to the Full Conversation
This post highlights the main themes, but the full episode goes deeper into the CCBHC model, public-private partnership and the future of mental health care delivery.
Listen to the full conversation to hear how philanthropy, Medicaid reform and community-based innovation can work together to strengthen access to care.
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