Minnesota Seeks Culturally Specific Provider Organizations For Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Model

By OPEN MINDS Circle

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Behavioral Health Division (BHD) released a request for proposals on May 31, 2022, seeking culturally specific provider organizations to become or support a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). BHD intends to select to up to four culturally specific provider organizations for awards of up to $227,500 each to develop infrastructure to deliver CCBHC services as a CCBHC or a Designated Collaborating Organization (DCO). The total amount to be awarded is $909,757.

Eligible responders must be culturally specific organizations that provide services to children and families, youth, and/or adults from cultural and ethnic minority backgrounds, including non-native English speakers. The organization submitting a proposal must be a non-profit organization, an entity that is part of a local government behavioral health authority, or an entity operated under authority of the Indian Health Service (IHS), an Indian tribe, a tribal organization or could be a private, for-profit clinic.

For-profit clinics cannot become a CCBHC even if the local behavioral health authority or the Indian Health Service (IHS) pays for services received there. Although a private for-profit clinic or organization cannot be a CCBHC, such entities can enter into a formal agreement with a CCBHC and become a DCO.

Proposals are due by June 30, 2022. The initial contract term is anticipated to be for seven months, from September 1, 2022, until March 1, 2023, followed by up to five one-year extensions.

The selected contractor(s) will develop a work plan to make organizational changes to current infrastructure that meets CCBHC requirements. Applicants will enhance supports such as care coordination, training, and supervision. The contractors will also:

• Participate in technical assistance activities organized by the state.
• Make organizational changes, as needed, to support integration of mental health/substance use-related practices/activities and coordination of medical services that are consistent with the goals of the state.
• Coordinate activities across agencies to ensure services are accessible and available.
• Perform outreach and improve ability to provide services to underserved communities.
• Participate in technical assistance activities organized by the state.
• Make organizational changes, as needed, to support integration of mental health/substance use-related practices/activities and coordination of medical services that are consistent with the goals of the state.
• Coordinate activities across agencies to ensure services are accessible and available.

The contractors can also establish health information technology systems to conduct activities such as population health management, quality improvement, reducing disparities, and for research and outreach and that is certified to meet the “Patient List Creation” criterion. They can also develop one or more CCBHC mental health or addiction services.

CCBHC is an integrated clinic and service delivery model that uses a cost-based reimbursement structure. Originally a federal demonstration project from 2017-2019, and extended by Congress to 2023, this new service delivery model aims to integrate mental health and substance use disorder service provision, coordinate care across settings and providers to ensure seamless transitions for individuals across the full spectrum of health and social services, increase consistent use of evidence-based practices, and increase access to high-quality care. The goals of the CCBHC program in Minnesota are:

1. Increase access to community-based mental health and substance use disorder services (particularly to under-served communities).
2. Advance integration of behavioral health with physical health care.
3. Improve utilization of evidence-based practices on a more consistent basis. Part of how CCBHCs increase access is to, “step out of the clinic four walls,” meaning they strive to serve people in their homes and in the community or via telehealth whenever possible.

For more information, contact: Julie Pearson, CCBHC Program Manager, Behavioral Health Division, Minnesota Department of Human Services, Post Office Box 64998, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55164-0098; 651-431-2000; Email: Julie.pearson@state.mn.us; Website: https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/policies-procedures/behavioral-health/ccbhc/