The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is taking a bold step to address the intersection of mental health, substance use, and the criminal justice system with an infusion of more than $11 million in funding to community programs. This initiative is part of a larger effort detailed in the NCDHHS’ report, "Transforming North Carolina’s Behavioral Health System," aimed at reforming the state's approach to behavioral health with an $835 million investment. A significant chunk of that, $99 million, is specifically earmarked for programs assisting individuals implicated in the justice system.
In a recent announcement, the department highlighted the pressing needs of over half of the state’s incarcerated population who identify with mental health needs, and 75% who have substance use disorders. This funding is set to enhance diversion efforts and reentry services to support these individuals transition into their communities. "We want to help people avoid incarceration when what they actually need is treatment," NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai told NCDHHS, underscoring the need for improved access to interventions that could prevent unnecessary entanglements with the law.
Specifically, groups like the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition and Coastal Horizons Center, Inc. will receive funds to expand their Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs. These initiatives aim to redirect low-level offenders away from the justice system and into community-based treatment options. Moreover, organizations such as Hope Mission, Jubilee Home, and Vaya Health are among those receiving grants to ensure returning citizens have access to essential services, including housing and supported employment.
In light of this effort, Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, the Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, highlighted the stark realities faced by formerly incarcerated individuals, such as a 40-fold increase in the risk of dying from opioid overdose within two weeks of release. "These investments support systems of care that help people recover, strengthen pathways to community services and prioritize treatment services so that detention is a last resort," Crosbie stated in a release from NCDHHS. Diversion and reentry programs work hand in hand, aiming to provide a safety net by addressing not just the immediate medical needs, but also the key social drivers of health that can reduce recidivism.
Looking ahead, NCDHHS will leverage the comprehensive funding to expand services further and continue developing an integrated behavioral health system to serve the needs of all North Carolinians. For more detailed information on the department's strategic plan and investment in behavioral health, resources can be found in the "Transforming North Carolina’s Behavioral Health System" report and the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services Strategic Plan for 2024-2029.
