The Alaska Department of Health has been awarded a $1,000,000 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Expansion Grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support the statewide implementation of the CCBHC model in Alaska. The project, titled "Alaska's Excellence in Behavioral Health Integration Initiative," will focus on preparing for the CCBHC demonstration program by certifying one urban and one rural CCBHC, establishing a sustainable Medicaid Prospective Payment System (PPS) for behavioral health services, and securing long-term financial stability for the CCBHCs. During the initial planning year, the project will not provide direct services to individuals but will concentrate on the necessary groundwork to expand access to coordinated, comprehensive behavioral health care across Alaska, with an emphasis on reaching vulnerable populations.