This regulation establishes the Oregon Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program, defining the criteria, application process, and certification standards that provider organizations must meet to be recognized as CCBHCs by the Oregon Health Authority. Applicants must already hold certifications for outpatient mental health and specified ASAM levels of care, and must provide (directly or through collaborating organizations) a defined set of required behavioral health services. The rules govern the full certification lifecycle including initial certification, renewal, site visits, and denial/reconsideration procedures.
View official sourceOregon Health Authority Health Systems Division: Behavioral Health Services - Chapter 309 Division 9 CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC (CCBHC) PROGRAM 309-009-0000 Purpose and Scope (1) These rules establish the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) and define the criteria and process that the Authority must use to recognize, verify status, and certify provider organizations as CCBHCs. These rules specify the standards for the CCBHC application and certification process. (2) In addition to meeting all state and federal criteria outlined in Chapter 309 Division 009 and the “Oregon Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Program Requirements Manual - Version 1”, only organizations certified under OAR 309-008-0100 to 309-008-1600 (Standards for Certification of Behavioral Health Treatment Services) for the following certifications may become certified: (a) Outpatient mental health (Chapter 309 Division 019), (b) ASAM 0.5 (OAR 309-019-0181), (c) ASAM 1 (OAR 309-019-0182); (d) ASAM 2.1 (OAR 309-019-0183; (e) If directly providing mobile crisis services, Mobile Crisis Intervention Services and Crisis Stabilization Services (Chapter 309 Division 072). (3) The “Oregon Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Program Requirements Manual- Version 1” should be used as the primary source outlining CCBHC requirements and duties. Should there be a perceived conflict between rules and manual, CCBHCs and applicants should defer to “Oregon Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Program Requirements Manual - Version 1”. [ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.] Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 413.042 & HB 4002 (2024) Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.042 History: BHS 22-2025, amend filed 09/30/2025, effective 10/01/2025 OHP 10-2018, renumbered from 409-062-0000, filed 08/01/2018, effective 08/01/2018 OHP 14-2016, f. & cert. ef. 9-26-16 OHP 7-2016(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 4-22-16 thru 10-18-16 309-009-0010 Definitions The following definitions apply to Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 309-009-0000 to 309-009-0060: (1) “Access facility” means an outpatient setting owned and operated by a CCBHC and subject to approval by the Authority that provides low barrier services that facilitate engagement and access to care within the scope of CCBHC. Access facilities offer unscheduled, voluntary services. (2) “Applicant” means any provider with an existing certificate listed in OAR 309-008-0100(2) to provide behavioral health treatment services or any person, organizational provider, tribal organization, or Community Mental Health Program seeking initial certification listed in OAR 309-008-0100(2) by submitting an application to provide behavioral health treatment services. (3) “Authority” means the Oregon Health Authority. (4) “Certification” means the process which the Authority uses to determine if an applicant has met the criteria in OAR chapter 309 division 009 and in the document titled “Oregon Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Program Requirements Manual - Version 1” found on the Oregon CCBHC website.” (5) “Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic” means an organizational provider that the Authority has affirmed substantially meets the federal and Oregon CCBHC standards as outlined in “Oregon Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Program Requirements Manual- Version 1” and these rules, OAR chapter 309 division 009. (6) “Designated Collaborating Organization (DCO)” means an entity that is not under the direct supervision of the CCBHC but is engaged in formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deliver one or more of the required services. (7) “Full application” means the formal application provided by the Authority to verify provider organizations meet all of the requirements to be a CCHBC. (8) “Organizational provider” means an organization that provides mental health treatment or chemical dependency treatment and is not a coordinated care organization. (9) Oregon CCBHC website” means http://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/CSI-BHP/Pages/Community-BH-Clinics.aspx . (10) “Preliminary application” means a limited review of prerequisites to meet CCBHC certification requirements intended to determine if an organizational provider is ready to apply for CCBHC certification. (11) “Qualified Satellite facility” means a facility that was established by the CCBHC, operates under the governance and financial control of that CCBHC, and provides the following services: crisis services, except mobile crisis; screening, diagnosis, and risk assessment; service planning; and outpatient mental health and substance use services. (12) “Service area” means the county in which applicant’s or CCBHC’s main organizational provider site is located. (13) “Site Improvement Plan (SIP)” means a written plan using the provided template on the CCBHC website addressing deficiencies to CCBHC requirements. (14) “Verification” means the process that the Authority shall conduct to ensure that an organizational provider has submitted accurate information to the Authority for purposes of CCBHC certification. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 413.042 & HB 4002 (2024) Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.042 History: BHS 22-2025, amend filed 09/30/2025, effective 10/01/2025 OHP 10-2018, renumbered from 409-062-0010, filed 08/01/2018, effective 08/01/2018 OHP 14-2016, f. & cert. ef. 9-26-16 OHP 7-2016(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 4-22-16 thru 10-18-16 309-009-0020 Program Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Administration (1) Oregon Health Authority (Authority) must develop and implement a uniform application and process for certifying CCBHCs throughout the state of Oregon. (2) The Authority must recognize provider organizations as certified CCBHCs upon meeting criteria set forth in Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 309-009-0040. (3) The Authority must administer CCBHC program requirements, including: (a) Data collection and analysis; (b) Verification that a provider organization meets the defined CCBHC criteria outlined in OAR 309-009-0040, including requirements outlined in “Oregon Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Program Requirements Manual- Version 1”; and (c) Technical assistance. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 413.042 & HB 4002 (2024) Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.042 History: BHS 22-2025, amend filed 09/30/2025, effective 10/01/2025 OHP 10-2018, renumbered from 409-062-0020, filed 08/01/2018, effective 08/01/2018 OHP 14-2016, f. & cert. ef. 9-26-16 OHP 7-2016(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 4-22-16 thru 10-18-16 309-009-0030 Application and Certification Process (1) An applicant seeking initial certification, certification renewal, or changes to existing certification must submit a completed Oregon Health Authority (Authority) designated application to the Authority. (a) Applicants seeking initial certification must attend orientation prior to submitting application. (b) Applicants seeking certification renewal or changes to existing certification must submit application 90 days prior to the desired effective date and must receive approval via certification prior to the change being implemented. Changes to certification include: (A) Changing the scope of services provided at any certified CCBHC facility location, including access facilities and qualified satellite facilities; (B) Changes to Designated Collaborating Organizations (DCO); (C) Relocating a certified CCBHC facility location; or (D) Adding or removing a facility location from the current CCBHC certification, including satellite facilities and/or access facilities. (2) A qualified satellite facility is a facility owned and operated by a CCBHC that does not provide all required CCBHC services but at minimum: (a) Provides the following CCBHC services: (A) Crisis services, except mobile crisis; (B) Screening, diagnosis, and risk assessment; (C) Service planning; and (D) Outpatient mental health and substance use services; (b) Ensures individuals receiving services at satellite facilities have access to all CCBHC services not provided at the facility. (c) The satellite facility location is within the service area of the CCBHC and appropriately certified and/or licensed for the services provided there. (3) A CCBHC access facility is an outpatient setting owned and operated by a CCBHC and subject to approval by the Authority that provides low barrier services that facilitate engagement and access to care within the scope of CCBHC. Access facilities offer unscheduled, voluntary services and are differentiated from CCBHC satellite facilities which must provide a set of required services. Access facilities must: (a) Ensure individuals receiving services at the access facility have access to all CCBHC services not provided at the facility; and (b) Be within the service area of the CCBHC and be appropriately certified and/or licensed for the services provided there. (4) An applicant with multiple facility locations under the same management must have each facility approved for CCBHC certification. Each facility location is independently considered for CCBHC certification. An applicant must submit documentation with the application sufficient for the Authority to evaluate each facility location. A separate application for each facility location is not required as long as the provider structure, including but not limited to policies and procedures, governs all locations. (5) For initial certification, applicants must complete the following: (a) Verification and attendance at a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) orientation hosted by the Authority; (b) Complete and submit the preliminary application provided by the Authority: (A) If not already certified in one of the following certifications, the applicant must first submit an application following chapter 309 division 008 rules. CCBHC certification is contingent on approval of the following certifications: (i) Outpatient mental health (chapter 309 division 019) (ii) ASAM 0.5 (OAR 309-019-0181) (iii) ASAM 1 (OAR 309-019-0182) (iv) ASAM 2.1 (OAR 309-019-0183) (v) If directly providing mobile crisis services, Mobile Crisis Intervention Services and Crisis Stabilization Services (chapter 309 division 072) (B) Community needs assessment plan (C) If applicant intends to partner with a Designated Collaborating Organization (DCO): (i) Draft or finalized Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each DCO; and (ii) Documentation of each DCO’s applicable certifications and Medicaid provider enrollments authorizing the DCO to provide the services outlined in the MOU (D) Applicants who are not Community Mental Health Programs (CMHP) must submit: (i) Documentation of outreach to CMHP within service area notifying the CMHP of intent to apply for CCBHC; or (ii) Draft or finalized written agreement meeting requirements outlined in the “CMHP-CCBHC Written Agreement Guidance” found on the CCBHC website between applicant and CMHP. (6) The Authority shall review the preliminary application within 30 days of its submission to determine whether it is accurate, complete, and meets the certified requirements. (a) If the application is found not complete and/or does not demonstrate compliance, the Authority shall provide written notice of the incomplete or noncompliant application describing any necessary amendments to the application. The applicant must submit an amended application to the Authority within 14 calendar days of receipt of the Authority’s notice (b) If the Authority determines the applicant has met the requirements of these rules, the Authority shall inform the applicant in writing that the preliminary application has been approved as a potential CCBHC, send a full application form to be completed and submitted by the applicant, and send information regarding site visit planning. (7) Initial applicants and applicants applying for recertification must complete a full application form provided by the Authority: (a) Complete full application form for all required certifications outlined in OAR 309-009-0000(2) (A) Applicants that are not a community mental health program (CMHP) must submit a finalized written agreement between the applicant and CMHP, meeting the requirements outlined in the “CMHP-CCBHC Written Agreement Guidance,” found on the CCBHC website. (i) If the non-CMHP and CMHP are unable to reach a mutual agreement on the coordination of services, either entity is permitted to request a meeting with the Authority; (ii) For recertification, agreement need only be submitted if changes are made to the agreement since last submission (B) Community needs assessment and staffing plan (C) Supporting documents as required by the Authority (b) Complete a site visit (c) If required by the Authority, complete a Site Improvement Plan (8) The Authority may deny CCBHC certification if an applicant does not meet the requirements of these rules, including the requirements outlined in “Oregon Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Program Requirements Manual- Version 1”. A practice may request that the Authority reconsider the denial of CCBHC certification (9) An applicant may request that the Authority reconsider the denial of CCBHC certification: (a) A request for reconsideration must be submitted in writing to the Authority within 30 days of the date of the denial or approval letter and must include a detailed explanation of why the practice believes the Authority’s decision is in error along with any supporting documentation. (b) The Authority shall inform the practice in writing whether it has reconsidered its decision. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 413.042 & HB 4002 (2024) Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.042 History: BHS 22-2025, amend filed 09/30/2025, effective 10/01/2025 OHP 10-2018, renumbered from 409-062-0030, filed 08/01/2018, effective 08/01/2018 OHP 14-2016, f. & cert. ef. 9-26-16 OHP 7-2016(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 4-22-16 thru 10-18-16 309-009-0040 Certification Criteria An applicant seeking Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) certification must meet the following criteria: (1) CCBHCs must conform to at least one of the following criteria for organizational authority: (a) Is a non-profit organization exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (b) Is part of a local government behavioral health authority. An applicant is considered part of a local government behavioral health authority when a locality, county, region, or state maintains authority to oversee behavioral health services at the local level and utilizes the clinic to provide those services; (c) Is operated under the authority of the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe, or tribal organization pursuant to a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or compact with the Indian Health Service pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.); or (d) Is an urban Indian organization pursuant to a grant or contract with the Indian Health Services, under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C 1601 et seq.) (2) Meet designation requirements for “Ready to Certify” or “Mostly ready to certify, with assistance” as defined in OAR 309-009-0050, (3) Meet state criteria stated in the document titled “Oregon CCBHC Program Requirements Manual - Version 1” located on the CCBHC website ; (4) Hold certifications as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 309-009-0000(2); (5) Provide directly or through designated collaborating organization, all required services: (a) 24-hour crisis behavioral health services, including mobile crisis outreach; (b) Screening, assessment, and diagnosis; (c) Person-centered and family-centered treatment planning; (d) Outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services; (e) Primary care screening and monitoring; (f) Targeted case management; (g) Psychiatric rehabilitation services; (h) Peer and family support services; and (i) Intensive, community-based mental health care for members of the armed forces and veterans; (6) Agree to site visit and follow up activities with the CCBHC site review team. (7) Applicants that are not a community mental health program (CMHP) must submit a finalized written agreement between the applicant and CMHP, meeting the requirements outlined in the “CMHP-CCBHC Written Agreement Guidance,” found on the CCBHC website. If the non-CMHP and CMHP are unable to reach a mutual agreement on the coordination of services, either entity is permitted to request a meeting with the Authority. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 413.042 & HB 4002 (2024) Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.042 History: BHS 22-2025, amend filed 09/30/2025, effective 10/01/2025 OHP 10-2018, renumbered from 409-062-0040, filed 08/01/2018, effective 08/01/2018 OHP 14-2016, f. & cert. ef. 9-26-16 OHP 7-2016(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 4-22-16 thru 10-18-16 309-009-0050 Level of Readiness (1) The Authority must review CCBHC criteria using a level of readiness tool to specify a level of readiness designation as follows: (a) Ready to certify: Demonstrates substantial conformance to the criteria, current operation has capacity to be maintained and/or improved, demonstrates ongoing quality improvement. May require a Site Improvement Plan (SIP) for only a few criteria. (b) Mostly ready to certify, with assistance: Demonstrates conformance to many of the standards, has significant areas for improvement but evidence of the organization's capability to improve and commitment to progress. Requires a SIP for multiple criteria to achieve compliance. (2) Not ready to certify: Does not demonstrate sufficient conformance. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 413.042 & HB 4002 (2024) Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.042 History: BHS 22-2025, amend filed 09/30/2025, effective 10/01/2025 OHP 10-2018, renumbered from 409-062-0050, filed 08/01/2018, effective 08/01/2018 OHP 14-2016, f. & cert. ef. 9-26-16 OHP 7-2016(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 4-22-16 thru 10-18-16 309-009-0055 Types of Certifications Based on level of readiness designation, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) will receive the following certification types: (1) Full certification is given when CCBHC receives level of readiness designation of “ready to certify”. Full certification is effective for 3 years. (a) Prior to certification, the CCBHC will have 30 calendar days to submit a Site Improvement Plan (SIP) to address areas of deficiency. The SIP must include a plan to achieve compliance which must not to exceed a duration of 3 years. (A) When access or care to persons served is a serious issue, the CCBHC site may be given a much shorter period to initiate SIPs, and this condition may be established, in writing, as part of the Authority findings (B) If the Authority identifies an issue that places a person served in imminent risk to health or safety, the Authority may require immediate response based on risk. (b) The Authority will review the SIP, seek clarifying or additional information from the CCBHC site as needed, and issue a response within 30 calendar days of receipt. (c) The Authority will take steps to monitor the CCBHC site’s implementation of the SIP as part of performance monitoring, including but not limited to annual check-ins over a 3-year period. (2) Provisional certification is given when the CCBHC receives a level of readiness designation of “mostly meets, needs support”. Provisional certification is effective for 1 year. (a) Prior to certification, the CCBHC will have 30 calendar days to submit a Site Improvement Plan (SIP) to address areas of deficiency. The SIP must include a plan to achieve compliance which must not to exceed a duration of 12 months. (A) When access or care to persons served is a serious issue, the CCBHC site may be given a much shorter period to initiate SIPs, and this condition may be established, in writing, as part of the Authority findings (B) If the Authority identifies an issue that places a person served in imminent risk to health or safety, the Authority may require immediate response based on risk. (b) The Authority will review the SIP, seek clarifying or additional information from the CCBHC site as needed, and issue a response within 30 calendar days of receipt. (c) The Authority will take steps to monitor the CCBHC site’s implementation of the SIP as part of performance monitoring, including but not limited to conducting quarterly check-ins over 12 months. (d) Following 12 months, if the CCBHC site still fails to meet requirements for full certification, provisional certification will continue for an additional six (6) months of monitoring with quarterly check-ins required; (e) If deficiencies are resolved, and full certification criteria has been met by the CCBHC at the conclusion of the SIP process, the CCBHC is given full certification. (3) CCBHCs with full certification must submit a recertification application to the Authority in conjunction with their Chapter 309 Division 008 certifications. (4) The Authority will use the level of readiness tool to review each application and verify CCBHC certification. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 413.042 & HB 4002 (2024) Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.042 History: BHS 22-2025, adopt filed 09/30/2025, effective 10/01/2025 309-009-0060 Variances (1) The Authority may grant a variance to a CCBHC applicant or provider if: (a) There is a lack of resources to meet the criteria required in these rules; or (b) Implementation of the proposed alternative services, methods, concepts or procedures would result of in improved outcomes for the individual. (2) CCBHC applicants must submit the variance request directly to the Authority using the approved “Application for Continued Variance” form. (3) The authority must approve or deny the request for a variance and must notify the provider in writing of the decision to approve or deny the requested variance. (4) Granting a variance for one request does not set a precedent that must be followed by the Authority when evaluating subsequent requests for variance. Variances are only approved for a specified duration of time as established in the variance approval. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 413.042 & HB 4002 (2024) Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.042 History: BHS 22-2025, amend filed 09/30/2025, effective 10/01/2025 OHP 10-2018, renumbered from 409-062-0060, filed 08/01/2018, effective 08/01/2018 OHP 14-2016, f. & cert. ef. 9-26-16 OHP 7-2016(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 4-22-16 thru 10-18-16