The Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services and with meaningful input from customers and key behavioral health stakeholders, shall develop a Comprehensive Statewide Behavioral Health Strategy and shall submit this Strategy to the Governor and General Assembly no later than July 1, 2022. The Strategy shall address key components of current and past legislation as well as current initiatives related to behavioral health services in order to develop a cohesive behavioral health system that reduces the administrative burden for customers and providers and includes: (i) comprehensive home and community-based services; (ii) integrated mental health, substance use disorder, and physical health services, and social determinants of health; and (iii) innovative payment models that support providers in offering integrated services that are clinically effective and fiscally supported. The Strategy shall consolidate required pilots and initiatives into a cohesive behavioral health system designed to serve both adults and children in the least restrictive setting, as early as possible, once behavioral health needs have been identified, and through evidence-informed practices identified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other national experts. The Strategy shall take into consideration initiatives such as the Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives program; integrated health homes; services offered under federal Medicaid waiver authorities, including Sections 1915(i) and 1115 of the Social Security Act; requirements for certified community behavioral health centers; enhanced team-based services; housing and employment supports; and other initiatives identified by customers and stakeholders. The Strategy shall also identify the proper capacity for residential and institutional services while emphasizing serving customers in the community.
     As part of the Strategy development process, by January 1, 2022 the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall establish a program for the implementation of certified community behavioral health clinics. Behavioral health services providers that received federal grant funding from SAMHSA for the implementation of certified community behavioral health clinics prior to July 1, 2021 shall be eligible to participate in the program established in accordance with this Section.