North Raleigh Today

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has allocated $6.5 million to community-based programs in Western North Carolina aimed at providing alternatives to incarceration. This funding will benefit diversion programs and reentry services in areas heavily affected by Hurricane Helene, including Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Rutherford, Surry, and Wilkes counties.

"At a time when our western counties are struggling to rebuild infrastructure and meet daily needs, programs that help people avoid entering or remaining in the justice system are more important than ever," said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. "We know that half of the people in North Carolina prisons and jails have mental health needs, and three-quarters have substance use disorders. They need treatment and support to prevent further involvement in the system and to find a path toward recovery."

Three organizations, Project Lazarus, HealthBook, and Vaya Health, will use the funds to establish or expand their Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs. LEAD provides community-based alternatives to jail, connecting at-risk individuals with mental health, medical, and social services.

Programs like LEAD offer law enforcement agencies resources for addressing low-level non-violent crimes through referrals to treatment or community services instead of punitive measures. It is common for law enforcement to partner with community agencies in this referral process, providing safety nets to decrease the likelihood of re-incarceration.

"Our western counties impacted by Hurricane Helene need support for programs that prevent detention. When these types of programs aren’t available, people who need treatment for mental health and substance use disorders can end up in carceral settings," said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. "We know that incarceration raises the risk of drug overdose, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic health conditions. LEAD programs, transitional housing and employment services are crucial interventions that steer people away from incarceration and toward recovery and stability."

Funding recipients including HealthBook, FIRST at Blue Ridge, Oxford House, and Freedom Life Ministries will support housing services, while Healthbook and FIRST at Blue Ridge will also enhance employment services. These organizations provide resources for reentry programs, guiding individuals as they transition back into their communities safely and successfully.

Reentry programs address non-medical needs such as transportation, housing, and employment, aiming to reduce recidivism by supporting individuals upon their release. This support is vital to breaking the cycle of justice system involvement and improving outcomes across health and justice systems.

This announcement follows a previous funding allocation of $11 million for at-risk individuals and is a part of NCDHHS’s broader $835 million initiative to transform behavioral health care in North Carolina. The department is channeling $99 million specifically towards enhancing services related to diversion, reentry, and capacity restoration.

In the future, NCDHHS plans to utilize the $835 million investment to expand services further and move towards a more integrated behavioral health care system that benefits all North Carolinians.

More details on North Carolina’s behavioral health investments can be found in the report "Transforming North Carolina’s Behavioral Health System: Investing in a System That Delivers Whole-Person Care When and Where People Need It." The NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services Strategic Plan for 2024-2029 outlines plans for driving innovation and improvement across the state.