Governor Stein’s New Executive Order Aims to Enhance Behavioral Health and Public Safety in North Carolina
In a significant move to address behavioral health and public safety in North Carolina, Governor Stein has signed an executive order. This directive mandates various cabinet agencies to enhance coordination between the state’s behavioral health and criminal justice systems.
Governor Stein was joined by key officials and advocates, including Kelly Crosbie, 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; along with legislators, law enforcement officials, and behavioral health professionals.
Governor Josh Stein emphasized, “When people in crisis do not get help in time, the consequences can be tragic. 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.”
According to NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai, “People who are in crisis need care – plain and simple. By improving access, supporting the mental health workforce, and coordinating across systems, we can help people get the treatment they need sooner and prevent crises from escalating.”
On the frontline, Department of Public Safety Secretary Jeff Smythe noted, “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. This executive order strengthens coordination between public safety and behavioral health professionals.”
Further emphasizing the importance of support, Department of Adult Correction Secretary Leslie Dismukes stated, “Correctional officers work around the clock to keep people safe, often while supporting individuals with complex behavioral health needs. This executive order provides additional tools, coordination, and resources to better support our staff and ensure the people in our care receive appropriate treatment.”
The executive order focuses on several priority areas:
- Supporting the behavioral health and public safety workforce
- Strengthening the behavioral health crisis system
- Improving the involuntary commitment process
- Enhancing behavioral health treatment for incarcerated individuals
- Assisting young people in the juvenile justice system with behavioral health needs
- Enhancing reentry supports for those with mental health needs
Click here to read Executive Order No. 33.
Governor Stein’s recent activities included a visit to RHA Health Services’ Alamance County Behavioral Health Center in Burlington, where he met with providers and advocates to discuss the expansion of mental health care statewide. Similar visits were made to behavioral health urgent care centers in Charlotte and Greenville. Over the last 18 months, the NCDHHS has launched seven new Behavioral Health Urgent Care centers.
The Governor has also advocated for continued investment in behavioral health services and support for law enforcement recruitment and retention at the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police’s 50th Annual Training Conference. Last year, a Gang Violence Prevention and Intervention Task Force was established to tackle crime at its roots.
North Carolina’s 2023-2025 biennium budget has allocated $835 million for behavioral health, focusing on expanding mobile crisis response and crisis stabilization services for children, as well as programs for individuals involved with the justice system. Governor Stein is urging the General Assembly to support his $195 million public safety proposal, fully fund Medicaid, and restore mental health funding for inpatient and crisis care that was reduced last year.
Read More Here
