WFYI News reports that Indiana has funding for eight behavioral health pilot sites, while 16 other centers aim to shift to the new model by 2027.
Indiana weighs funding for a broader behavioral health model
According to WFYI News, Indiana is transitioning its Community Mental Health Centers to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model, which is intended to provide more comprehensive crisis response services around the clock. The model is designed to help people access coordinated behavioral health care regardless of age, residence or ability to pay.
WFYI News reported that Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Mitch Roob said the state currently has funding for only eight pilot sites. He said Indiana needs to determine whether it can bring all centers into the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model or return to the earlier Community Mental Health Center model.
Additional centers have signaled interest
According to WFYI News, the goal is for 16 additional Community Mental Health Centers to become Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics by 2027. Zoe Frantz, president and CEO of the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers, said the state requested letters of intent from the additional centers and that the sites submitted them.
WFYI News reported that Frantz described the letters as an indication that providers are interested, ready and have the elements needed to become Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics when an application becomes available. She also said centers seeking to show their intent to transition must already provide 24/7 crisis services.
According to WFYI News, Frantz said this means that most of the additional Community Mental Health Centers already operate in ways similar to Community Behavioral Health Clinics.
Budget concerns remain
WFYI News reported that Indiana’s budget forecast was estimated to be $2.4 billion lower than expected. State lawmakers did not reduce funding for the Community Mental Health Center fund, according to the report, although providers had advocated for additional funding.
According to WFYI News, Frantz said there is potential for Indiana to move away from the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model, but she said the program has support from state and federal lawmakers. She pointed to legislative language directing the state toward becoming Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics by 2027, saying that language had not changed.
WFYI News reported that Frantz said the model could help address Medicaid cost-cutting concerns and could save state funding over the long term. Those comments reflect her view of the program’s possible financial role, while the FSSA secretary raised concerns about funding sufficient expansion beyond the pilot sites.
What this means for Indiana patients
According to WFYI News, the state’s decision on funding could affect how broadly the new behavioral health and crisis-care model is available locally. For people seeking treatment in Indiana, the directory lists 68 published clinics in the state.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More Indiana reporting on policy & funding.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.