BRUNSWICK (January 10th, 2023) – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced a $4 million grant to statewide mental health care provider Sweetser to expand their Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in Brunswick.
Sweetser is currently the largest provider of mobile crisis services in Maine.
In 2021, Sweetser received a $2.9M grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to first establish these services for Sagadahoc County and parts of Cumberland, Lincoln and Androscoggin counties.
CCBHC’s are designed to increase timely access to mental health and substance use services in areas that otherwise lack accessibility. Services include 24/7 crisis response and medication-assisted treatment.
“We have to meet folks where they are at,” said Joey Rossignol, Clinical Director of the CCBHC. “Every single day we see the need for this type of program to be expanded to more communities. The need is great and the need is there. CCBHC reduces barriers to accessing services and creates a one stop shop for meeting various levels of patient acuity.”
Since its inception, this program has served more than 400 clients across the Midcoast. The additional $4M grant will allow Sweeter grow capacity and expand the number of clients they are able to serve.
Services include, but are not limited to:
- Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Screening, Assessment and Diagnosis
• 24/7 Mobile Crisis Response & Crisis Stabilization
• Case Management Services (including Assertive Community Treatment)
• Peer Support Services
• Outpatient MH and SUD Treatment, including MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment)
“More Midcoast Mainers will be able to access the timely help and support they need in their recovery journey because of this grant,” says Danielle Parent, Senior Director of the CCBHC. “This innovative model represents national best practice in delivering mental health and substance use care wherever the need is greatest. We’ve seen this model in other states be an effective tool in creating networks of support, treatment, and hope and Sweetser will continue leading the effort here in Maine.”
According to a 2022 CCBHC Impact Report, 2.1 million clients nationally are served by around 249 CCBHCs, a steep increase from 1.5 million in 2021. CCBHC status enables organizations to help over 900 more people per area than prior to this model being implemented, about a 23% increase.
CCBHCs have dramatically increased access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment, expanded states’ capacity to address the overdose crisis and established innovative partnerships with law enforcement, schools and hospitals to improve care, reduce recidivism and prevent hospital readmissions.
For more information on Sweetser’s CCBHC or to access services, please visit: https://www.sweetser.org/certified-community-behavioral-health-clinic/
About Sweetser:
Sweetser is a behavioral health nonprofit that provides evidence-based treatment, support and hope through a statewide network of community-based mental health, recovery, and educational services.