Just as Rhode Island’s transformative work through its participation in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program is gaining momentum, the State’s Federal Compliance Advisory Group is recommending a 15% cut to CCBHC in the 2027 state budget. It’s important to recognize that investing in CCBHCs not only leverages significant federal Medicaid matching funds for Rhode Island but also leads to proven cost savings by reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations. By supporting CCBHCs, the state creates more effective and sustainable pathways for individuals to access behavioral health care – helping people get the support they need earlier and in the right setting, while decreasing avoidable spending on emergency and crisis care.
Such a reduction would jeopardize this momentum. Most importantly, it would threaten our ability to continue and expand the work of our staff who deliver essential, often life-saving services, and who have become a critical part of a coordinated, community-wide response to mental health needs across Newport County. These are the professionals who work hand-in-hand with law enforcement, first responders, and local agencies every day. A loss of funding would weaken this partnership just as it is proving its value.
That’s why we need you to speak up in support of CCBHC funding. At the end of this article, we’ll share how you can help. First, it’s important to understand why this funding matters so deeply to the health and safety of our community.
What local law enforcement says about our impact
Newport Mental Health works closely with first responders throughout Newport County, who are often the first to encounter individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Our Emergency Services and Rhode Island Outreach (RIO) teams regularly co-respond to calls at the request of police departments. We also collaborate through the cross-agency “Situation Table,” where first responders and service providers coordinate care for individuals with known and ongoing needs…