BHN will serve as the CBHC for the Springfield catchment area

Behavioral Health Network, Inc. (BHN) has been awarded a contract from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to serve as the Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) for the greater Springfield/Westfield catchment area.  This designation was awarded by the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP), the single statewide behavioral health vendor for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services’ MassHealth program.

Launching in January of 2023, BHN’s CBHC will be based at our Liberty Street campus in Springfield and at our Mill Street campus in Westfield.

The CBHC model is part of the Baker-Polito administration’s Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform to expand access to high-quality outpatient treatment, to ensure the right care when and where people need it. CBHCs will serve as an entry point for timely, high-quality mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, including outpatient and adult and youth crisis intervention.

The goal of the CBHC model is to expand access, including same-day access to assessments and referrals and crisis treatment. Other goals include evidence-based, goal-oriented, trauma-informed care; focus on equity through culturally competent, accessible treatment; coverage throughout the Commonwealth for all ages; and community-based crisis intervention integrated with a full outpatient continuum of services.

This model includes significant new funding for CBHCs and additional funding for non-CBHC behavioral health urgent care.

According to Steve Winn, President and CEO of BHN, “BHN welcomes the opportunity to serve as a Community Behavioral Health Center to meet current and growing needs in the Springfield area. As the behavioral health infrastructure continues to evolve, BHN is pleased to partner with the Commonwealth in this new approach to providing access to services and to strengthen providers such as BHN.”

BHN’s Community Behavioral Health Center catchment area includes Agawam, Blandford, Chester, East Longmeadow, Granville, Hampden, Huntington, Indian Orchard, Longmeadow, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, Springfield, Tolland, Westfield, West Springfield, and Wilbraham.