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09/16/2026
Ohio Sees Growth in New Behavioral Health Crisis Centers, but Access Barriers Persist Following Federal Policy Changes
New behavioral health crisis centers are opening across Ohio, in part because of $90 million in COVID-relief fund spending. But some of the facilities are struggling with staffing challenges and other barriers to care created by changes taking place at the federal level (Source: “As new behavioral health crisis centers open across Ohio, some face challenges in welcoming patients,”
Read More >08/19/2026
New Resource: Helping Clients Navigate H.R.1 Community Engagement Requirements
Beginning in 2027, many Medicaid expansion enrollees will need to complete 80 hours per month of qualifying activities to maintain coverage. One pathway is community service, and behavioral health providers may be uniquely positioned to help clients understand and meet these requirements. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing released a new resource,H.R.1 Community Engagement Requirements and the Community Service Pathway: Best Practices for Behavioral Health Clinics and Providers, that breaks down CMS's community service guidance and outlines practical steps clinics can take now, including screening for exemptions, formalizing volunteer programs, documenting hours, partnering with community organizations, and supporting clients through compliance requirements.
Read More >08/19/2026
HHS Releases First-Ever “Treatment First” Toolkit on Homelessness and Substance Use
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a Best Practices Toolkit, Addressing Homelessness and Addiction Through Treatment First. The toolkit promotes a "Treatment First" model built around coordinated engagement in evidence-based treatment and recovery support services for people experiencing homelessness. The toolkit lists Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) among sources of coverage for behavioral healthcare and addiction treatment, and links to National Council’s CCBHC Locator as a means of helping those in need find comprehensive, coordinated outpatient mental health and substance use care
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