Abbe Center for Community Mental Health awarded Federal Grant

Abbe Center for Community Mental Health Inc. has been awarded a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Abbe Center is part of AbbeHealth, which is affiliated with UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids. 

Abbe Center is one of 52 organizations nationally to receive this federal grant and the only program in Iowa selected to receive this support. The grant is $2 million annually for two years, with the possibility for renewal after the initial grant duration. 

The CCBHC program was created in 2016 in response to section 223 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act to develop resources that provide accessible, comprehensive services to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use disorder regardless of their ability to pay. This program was initially limited to eight demonstration states. Because of the program’s success – it solicited applications from other entities offering high-quality health services to local communities.   

With this federal grant, its anticipated that Abbe Center’s CCBHC will increase clinical capacity and provide timely access to its services and will increase partnerships with primary care for those at-risk for chronic health and behavioral conditions. Last year Abbe Center served 7,272 individuals in Linn County and anticipates serving an additional 1,000 (annually) and 2,000 (lifetime) new individuals with the grant funding by offering proactive targeted interventions and case management services.

Abbe Center’s CCBHC will serve children and adults with mental illness, serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders. 

“The UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids continuum of care for mental health will be further strengthened through this support,” said Kathy Horan, AbbeHealth President and CEO. “This grant will allow us to work proactively to improve the health of individuals suffering from complex physical and mental illnesses. One of the outcomes we expect to see is a decrease in emergency room use as individuals have expanded timely access to much-needed mental health services and therefore are able to maintain more stable health and avoid reaching crisis points.”

“The grant will give us an opportunity to build our capacity to provide timely access, and to provide more outreach and engagement for individuals at risk,” said Kathy Johnson, Abbe Center for Community Health. “This includes the hiring of approximately 20 additional clinical staff members, as well about 10 data management staff.” 

“Congratulations to the Abbe Center for Community Mental Health on receiving this grant. Access to quality mental health services is important for all Iowans,” said Sen. Charles Grassley.