West Virginia Behavioral Healthcare Providers Association

06/01/2026

This an incredible achievement and so critical to all behavioral healthcare providers and West Virginians that have worked tirelessly for years to make this a reality! Congratulations to all!

West Virginia has been selected as one of only 10 states nationwide to participate in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program, a federal initiative that will help expand access to comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services across the state.

“This selection represents a significant opportunity for West Virginia to strengthen and expand access to behavioral health services across the state,” said Christina Mullins, Acting Cabinet Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Human Services. “Participation in the CCBHC Demonstration Program will help support a more coordinated, comprehensive, and sustainable behavioral health system for West Virginians, particularly in rural and underserved communities.”

The program was expanded under Section 11001 of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 and is jointly administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE).

Federal officials recognized West Virginia for completing the foundational work necessary to implement a strong statewide demonstration program, including planning efforts related to clinic certification, service delivery, and payment systems.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, administered through the West Virginia Department of Human Services’ Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH) and Bureau for Medical Services (BMS), are designed to provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use disorder services regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. The model emphasizes integrated care, crisis response services, care coordination, and evidence-based treatment practices to improve outcomes for individuals and families.

Participation in the demonstration program increases the federal Medicaid match rate for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic services. The enhanced funding structure will help strengthen the sustainability of behavioral health services and support continued investment in community-based mental health and substance use disorder treatment across West Virginia.

Over the next four years, West Virginia will work with federal partners to implement the demonstration program and expand access to comprehensive, community-based behavioral health services for West Virginians.

For more information about CCBHCs or to find a clinic near you, visit: https://bbh.wv.gov/providers-and-partners/west-virginia-certified-community-behavioral-health-clinics-ccbhcs

05/22/2026

We're back with a new episode of The Association Spotlight Series!

Our first guests in our new studio are Jill and Josh Barker. Jill is Project Director & Community Engagement Specialist for Harmony Ridge Recovery Center, while Josh is the Director of Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery for the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office.

Together, their experiences through life and behavioral health have merged their paths to make for an incredibly inspiring journey.

For the audio only version of this video, you can find the Association Spotlight Series anywhere that you get your podcasts!

Our first guests in our new studio are Jill and Josh Barker. Jill i...

05/16/2026

“In West Virginia, we understand hardship. But more importantly, we understand resilience, too. Our communities have weathered economic uncertainty, addiction, loss, natural disasters, and personal struggles that would test anyone’s spirit. Yet through it all, one thing has always defined West Virginians: when times get hard, we show up for each other.

Mental health deserves that same sense of shared responsibility and compassion.”

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to remind ourselves of something deeply important: every person we meet may be carrying burdens we cannot see.

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Crittenton Services - West Virginia!

05/13/2026

We want to give a warm welcome to our newest Associate Members, Opus EHR and AssuredCare!

To learn more about them, visit their websites: https://www.opusehr.com
https://www.assuredcareltc.com/

05/07/2026

We'd like to highlight Acentra Health as our May Associate Member of the Month!

Acentra Health brings together a deep collective of expertise across all facets with 30+ years of public sector health knowledge and experience. They deliver continued excellence through their services and solutions to produce maximum value and impact. Acentra's power derives from our ability to integrate innovative technology with high-quality care management, quality oversight, and clinical assessment capabilities.

To learn more, visit their website here: https://acentra.com/

05/06/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

Mental health awareness plays a crucial role in reducing stigma, encouraging early intervention and fostering empathy and understanding. Normalizing conversations around mental health nurtures a more compassionate society where individuals feel empowered to seek help, leading to improved mental wellbeing.

Despite overwhelming need, nearly 30 million people across the U.S. don’t have access to affordable, comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment. The stark truth is:

- 1 in 5 adults experienced any mental illness in the past year.
- 1 in 20 adults experienced serious mental illness in the past year.
- 1 in 5 youth have a mental health condition, with anxiety being the most common condition.
- 35% of mental illness emerges by age 14, with nearly 63% appearing by age 25.
- In 2023, 20% of high school students in the U.S. considered su***de.

05/01/2026

That's a wrap from ! Thank you to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and to the city of Denver for another incredible national conference with a few thousand of our closest friends.

04/21/2026

The WVBHPA is now accepting sponsor registrations for our upcoming 2026 Senior Leaders Conference at the beautiful Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV!

With more than 100 industry experts and executives in attendance, our Senior Leaders Conference is the premiere behavioral health event in West Virginia.

To register as a sponsor, follow the link below and email your form to [email protected]

02/12/2026

We were happy to co-host another fantastic Healthcare Providers Legislative Reception! Thank you to all of the lawmakers and attendees for a beautiful night at the Culture Center.