First Step of Sarasota receives $4M Grant from SAMHSA

February 8, 2021 – Sarasota

First Step of Sarasota announces it was awarded a $4M grant over the next 2 years from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) under their expansion Program. 

In order to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), First Step met the criteria and accomplished the six core areas of excellence that the Mental Health Act outlines. The six areas of excellence are: available and easily accessible services, staffing, care coordination, quality and other reporting, scope of services, organizational authority, accreditation and governance. 

Being designated as a CCBHC reinforces the services that FSOS provides to the community in regard to mental health and substance use disorders. This designation is the next step to provide integration of behavioral health services and person-centered systems of care to residents of Sarasota County. 

CCBHC Certification will further allow First Step of Sarasota to strengthen partnerships with local non-profits, medical communities, law enforcement agencies, judicial systems and schools to provide the necessary support and outreach services that are part of the designation. 

The overall goal will be to transform the way behavioral health services are delivered by assuring available access to care for all those in need. 

The overall goal will be to transform the way behavioral health services are delivered to high-need populations. 

About First Step of Sarasota 
First Step of Sarasota finalized its strategic unification with Coastal Behavioral Healthcare on July 1, 2020. The coming together of these two agencies will create more impactful solutions for those individuals with mental health and addiction disorders. First Step of Sarasota has seven outpatient offices, four residential programs for adults and youth, the crisis stabilization unit and detox/addiction receiving facility and 15 community outreach, prevention and intervention programs for adults and youth. First Step of Sarasota has 276 licensed beds, serves Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and De Soto Counties and is accredited by CARF.