Alaska has recently decided not to pursue the CCBHC demonstration.

During the planning phase, we learned how innovations in service delivery can better meet the needs of people in our communities while at the same time reducing the cost of quality behavioral healthcare. This system innovation requires a significant investment of resources that are not currently available. We will keep a close eye on states selected for the demonstration for opportunities to improve our system of care.

In 2014, Congress passed the Excellence in Mental Health Act (H.R. 4302, Sec 223) establishing a demonstration project to expand access to comprehensive behavioral health care in community-based settings.

The demonstration project establishes a required list of services that the CCBHC must deliver along with strict outcome measures to determine if the approach increases access to care, improves the quality of care, and reduces costs.

Alaska was one of the 24 states awarded a planning grant for the demonstration project. The State of Alaska is working with two providers, one urban and one rural, to redesign their clinical and business practices to meet the requirements of the demonstration project. After a competitive request for proposals, Anchorage Community Mental Health Services (ACMHS) and Peninsula Community Health Services (PCHS) were selected to help develop and pilot the demonstration.

The State of Alaska, selected providers, and partners have one year to plan for the demonstration project. Following the planning year, 8 states will compete to be selected to participate in the full demonstration project. Key members of Congress along with behavioral health treatment providers and advocates are working to expand the demonstration project to all of the 24 states that were selected for the planning grant. We are all hoping for innovations that improve care and reduce costs.

• June 2016 CCBHC Update fromthe Division of Behavioral Health(DBH)
  
  
• Alaska Mental Health Board and Advisory Board on Alcoholismand Drug DependenceCommunity Needs Assessments (2016): Anchorage | Kenai

Additional resources from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)