Justice Involved Supports

DMHDDSUS supports individuals, communities, and behavioral healthcare providers by increasing access to mental health evaluations and treatment. This includes individuals involved, or at risk of being involved, with the justice system. 

Support includes funding opportunities, technical assistance, ongoing monitoring, and data analysis. Justice System Innovation includes programs, policies, technology, and system framework that improves quality of life for people with behavioral health needs.

Sequential Intercept Model Mapping

Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) Mapping workshops bring together community leaders and officials from different agencies and systems to find ways to help people with mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities get treatment instead of being arrested or incarcerated. The day-and-a-half workshops consider community resources and identify strengths and gaps at each step to develop local strategic action plans.
•    Sequential Intercept Model Mapping

Crisis Intervention Team Training

Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) helps public safety and mental health agencies work together. CIT connect individuals and their families with behavioral health resources within their community. Crisis Intervention Team training gives police officers and other first responders better skills to perform duties and reduce the stress of tense situations. Through partnerships and training, CIT:
•    Improves communication
•    Finds mental health services for people in crisis
•    Ensures officer and community safety

Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities (TASC) 

North Carolina TASC provides care management services to people with substance use or behavioral health needs who are involved in the court system. To break the cycle of addiction and crime, the power of legal penalties are combined with treatment and support programs.

More Information

• The Council of State Governments Justice Center
• Drug Education Schools
• NC TASC Administrator

Pre and Post Arrest Diversion

Jail diversion refers to a situation in which individuals receive little or no jail time for a current offense or for probation violations due to their behavioral health or substance use needs. The program provides community-based treatment services for people with severe mental illness and substance use issues. It allows individuals to get the care they need, instead of going to jail or prison. For more information, visit the North Carolina Technical Assistance Center (NC TAC) website.

Reentry Program

Returning to the community from jail or prison can be a difficult transition for individuals and their families. They may struggle with:  
•    Substance use
•    Education
•    Job skills
•    Housing 
•    Mental health issues

To access services in your area, see the NC Local Reentry Councils Contact List. For more information, visit the NC Department of Adult Corrections website.

Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health

The Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health (JJBH) partnership supports state and local teams across North Carolina to increase access and awareness of treatment programs. These programs are designed for youth involved with the justice system who have substance use or mental health challenges. The partnership promotes a person-centered system that operates under System of Care values. 

Local Teams

Local Teams support youth by providing screening, assessment, evidence-based treatment, program referrals, and involvement with local juvenile crime and prevention councils. The JJBH partnership has 21 local teams across the state that include:
•    LME/MCO staff
•    Local juvenile justice leaders
•    Treatment providers
•    Family members
•    Community partners

State Team

The statewide team includes representatives across North Carolina who are committed to helping youth with behavioral health needs. This is accomplished through: 
•    Data tracking 
•    Data-driven decision making
•    Supporting ongoing services
•    Identifying & reducing system barriers
•    Supporting training across systems
•    Workgroups
•    Supporting local teams

For more information, visit North Carolina Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health Partnerships (NC JJBH).

Additional Resources

CIT Annual Survey
Grant Opportunities
NC Department of Corrections Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
State Reentry Council Collaborative
The North Carolina Drug Education School Program
The North Carolina Technical Assistance Center