Special to IFN

RALEIGH — Gov. Josh Stein has signed an executive order to improve behavioral health care and public safety in North Carolina. Executive Order 33 directs several cabinet agencies to take action strengthening how the state’s behavioral health and criminal justice systems coordinate and serve the public.

The Governor was joined by Kelly Crosbie, NCDHHS’ director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services; Secretary of Public Safety Jeff Smythe; Secretary of Adult Correction Leslie Dismukes; Director of State Human Resources Staci Meyer; legislators; law enforcement officials; and behavioral health professionals and advocates.

“When people in crisis do not get help in time, the consequences can be tragic,” Stein said. “This executive order takes meaningful steps to improve how we respond when someone is in crisis and strengthen our behavioral health and public safety systems. These actions will help people get the care they need, reduce preventable harm, and make our communities safer.”

“Law enforcement officers are often the first to respond when someone is in crisis, and they need the right tools and partners to do that work safely,” added Department of Public Safety Secretary Jeff Smythe. “This executive order strengthens coordination between public safety and behavioral health professionals. That way, we can reduce dangerous situations, ease strain on officers, and improve outcomes for the people and communities we serve.”

The executive order takes action in the following priority areas:

♦ Supporting the behavioral health and public safety workforce;
♦ Strengthening the behavioral health crisis system;
♦ Improving the involuntary commitment process;
♦ Strengthening behavioral health treatment for incarcerated people;
♦ Supporting young people in the juvenile justice system with behavioral health needs; and
♦ Improving reentry supports for people with mental health needs

North Carolina’s 2023-2025 biennium budget included a historic $835 million investment in behavioral health, expanding mobile crisis response, crisis stabilization services for children, and diversion and re-entry programs for people involved with the justice system.

Stein continues to press the General Assembly to act on his $195 million public safety proposal, fully fund Medicaid, and restore mental health funding for inpatient and crisis care that was reduced last year. Medicaid is the nation’s largest payer for mental health and substance use disorder services.

LEARN MORE

Click HERE to read Executive Order No. 33.