Lutheran Social Services of Illinois was among the first Chicago organizations to receive federal funding to launch a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) to better serve the mental health and substance use needs of Chicago’s Northwest Side neighborhoods. The grant was awarded in September 2022.
CCBHC is a special designation for clinics providing comprehensive mental health and substance use services. LSSI’s Portage Cragin Counseling Center, 4840 W. Byron St., Chicago, will become one of 450 CCBHC clinics nationwide.
“Through community partnerships and program expansion, LSSI will build on its existing crisis, mental health, and substance use treatment services to fulfill CCBHC requirements,” said Frank Harris, LCSW, CADC, Executive Director, Behavioral Health Services. “Case management, mental health care for veterans, peer supports, family support and counselor services,
outpatient mental health and substance use services, integrated healthcare, and crisis services are all part of the CCBHC model designed to break down silos between mental health, substance use, and medical care.”
The CCBHC model requires crisis services that are available 24/7 and a continuum of care for patients to easily access next treatment steps. These clinics have shown to dramatically improve access to mental health and substance use treatment while strengthening care networks and partnerships among organizations to better serve those in need.
