MAYVILLE — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene an advancement and improvement grant for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Chautauqua County. Starting Friday, the grant includes $1 million annually over four years. The department received the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic designation in 2020 under a previous grant. This designation has positively influenced the community clinics’ accessibility.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics have dramatically increased access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and expanded the capacity to address the overdose crisis. They have established innovative partnerships with law enforcement, peer-run organizations, schools, and hospitals to improve care, reduce recidivism, and address health disparities.

“Our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics are designated to support and advance the work we’ve initiated to improve access to high-quality behavioral health services,” said Chautauqua County Mental Hygiene Deputy Director and clinic Project Director Trish McClennan. “In collaboration with our community partners, CCBHCs are another step toward strengthening Chautauqua County’s network of services.”

Chautauqua County will use the funds to improve access to community-based recovery services, expand mobile crisis teams with a youth specialty, and enhance care coordination and peer specialist services. Funds will support this effort toward a collaborative, responsive, and accountable behavioral health system that values recovery, hope, excellence, respect and safety.

Chautauqua County has two CCBHC Clinics at 200 E. Third St., Jamestown, N.Y. 716-661-8330, and 60 Franklin Ave., Dunkirk, N.Y. 716-363-3550. You may call them to learn more about the services offered and schedule an appointment. To learn more about Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics visit https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/bho/ccbhc.html.