This column was originally featured on Newportri.com.
The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program establishes national standards for behavioral health care. Funded through a combination of federal support from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), alongside state-level reimbursements, CCBHCs are a proven system of effective mental health care.
Just ten weeks ago, Rhode Island celebrated its official inclusion in this national pilot program. Six organizations, including Newport Mental Health, were designated as CCBHCs. These organizations underwent rigorous evaluations, expanded their services, and hired skilled staff to meet quality standards. This achievement was made possible through extraordinary collaboration between public and private sectors, showcasing Rhode Island’s commitment to advancing behavioral health care equity across the State.
But now, this progress is at risk.
Rhode Island faces a significant budget deficit, fueling debate over funding priorities. This uncertainty has a direct impact on Newport Mental Health, where 83% of our patients are on Medicaid, Medicare, or are uninsured. Too many individuals are counting on us – our Rhode Island Outreach and Emergency Services teams alone see more than 800 engagements in Newport County each month. Any reduction in funding threatens our ability to serve the most vulnerable.
Collaboration Is Key
It’s time to put politics aside and focus on meeting the needs of the community. Collaboration, not competition, will enable us to maximize resources and improve outcomes.
In 1997, Steve Jobs famously dismantled Apple’s siloed organizational structure and restructured the company as a unified team. This strategy saved Apple and turned it into a global leader in innovation. Similarly, Rhode Island’s state agencies and CCBHCs must eliminate silos and adopt a unified approach to behavioral health care.
Here’s how we can make it happen:
- Leverage and Lead with Organizational Strengths
Streamlining operations and reducing redundancy between agencies will save money and improve efficiency.
- Empower Experts to Lead
Decision-making should be informed by those who understand where resources are most needed. Let the data—and the experts—guide funding priorities. - Aim for a Win-Win
Instead of choosing “winners and losers,” focus on solutions that benefit the entire system, or win-win solutions. As Stephen Covey emphasizes in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you can achieve a win-win when you “approach others with generosity and a sense of partnership.”
An example of win-win collaboration is already happening between Newport Mental Health and Thrive Behavioral Health, the CCBHC serving Kent County. Together, we’ve developed innovative programs that maximize impact and minimize costs.
- We have collaborated to grow substance use resources. We jointly developed Intensive Outpatient Programs for Substance Use Disorder. These programs serve both Newport County and Kent County and can be expanded statewide if needed. Newport Mental Health also developed an Integrated Dual Disorder Team to address co-occurring disorders when individuals suffer with complex health, mental health, and substance use needs. We already see demand for these programs increasing and we are working to meet our communities’ needs for services.
- We are sharing resources and overhead costs for IT and billing services, which reduces system redundancy and delivery costs. We have made a community-wide commitment to work in partnership to ensure resources are focused on client and community needs, like working with schools and other community partnerships.
- We have expanded services to children and families which includes the Intensive In Home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services offered through Newport Mental Health and Mobile Response and Stabilization Services offered through both Newport Mental Health and Thrive Behavioral Health. Both programs are on track to roll out statewide.
“Collaboration is the foundation of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program’s success. By dismantling silos and leveraging our collective strengths, we can deliver integrated, accessible care that transforms lives and fosters healthier communities across Rhode Island,” said Dr. Kleckner Charles, CEO of Thrive Behavioral Health.
The partnership between Thrive Behavioral Health and Newport Mental Health exemplifies the power of pooling resources, sharing expertise, and aligning efforts to create a more effective and responsive system of care. Through this collaboration, clients gain expanded access to critical services such as intensive outpatient programs and mobile response teams, while the organizations enhance operational efficiency by streamlining infrastructure and coordinating goals. This unified approach improves individual outcomes and ensures that behavioral health care systems are better prepared to meet the complex and evolving needs of our diverse communities.
Additionally, Newport Mental Health is proud of its community partnerships in Newport, Middletown, Jamestown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, and Little Compton. These alliances enable us to expand services, fill critical gaps, and ensure that no one in need is left behind. By scaling a collaborative model encompassing state agencies, CCBHCs, and community partners, we can build an exceptional behavioral health care system — one that ensures we meet the behavioral health needs of every Rhode Islander. To achieve this, we must eliminate silos and continue to work together.
You can find a listing of Rhode Island’s CCBHCs here. When you support a CCBHC, it’s a win-win for you and for your community.
