North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has signed an executive order that aims to improve behavioral healthcare and public safety in the state.
The order directs several cabinet agencies to strengthen coordination between North Carolina’s behavioral health and criminal justice systems, according to a Feb. 5 news release from the governor’s office. Priority areas include supporting the behavioral health and public safety workforce, and strengthening the behavioral health crisis system.
The order also focuses on improving the involuntary commitment process, expanding treatment for incarcerated people, supporting young people in the juvenile justice system with behavioral health needs, improving reentry support for people with mental health needs and strengthening cross-system coordination.
North Carolina’s 2023-25 biennium budget included an $835 million investment in behavioral health, expanding mobile crisis response, crisis stabilization services for children and diversion and reentry programs for people involved with the justice system, according to the release.
