Gov. Stein directs State Agencies to Tackle Behavioral Health and Justice System Gaps

Gov. Josh Stein issued an executive order on Feb. 5 directing North Carolina agencies to address workforce shortages, expand support for first responders, and improve coordination between behavioral health and public safety systems, he said in a press conference and a written statement.

Executive Order No. 33, titled Protecting North Carolinians Through Stronger Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Systems, calls for administrative steps to strengthen crisis response and treatment coordination, particularly for people involved with the criminal justice system. The order outlines reviews, planning directives, and coordination initiatives but does not provide new funding or mandate operational changes.

State and federal data highlight longstanding gaps in mental health services. Federal designations show 97 of North Carolina’s 100 counties are "Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas." State reports indicate the behavioral health workforce meets only a fraction of statewide demand.

For law enforcement, the order signals continued recognition that responding to behavioral health crises is a core part of policing. It encourages agencies to expand awareness of confidential counseling, treatment access, and peer-support programs for emergency personnel. Voluntary training for interactions with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities is also included.

The order supports co-responder models pairing officers with behavioral health professionals and improved integration between 911 dispatch systems and the nationwide 988 crisis line. It directs a review of transportation and hospital-hold procedures for involuntary commitments, which could shift responsibilities or introduce civilian roles.

For residents, potential future impacts include better coordination between 911 and 988, shared call-transfer protocols, dispatch cross-training, and expanded public education on when to use each number. However, immediate changes to emergency response are not expected.

The executive order requires agencies to:

• Analyze workforce and salary challenges in behavioral health and public safety roles.

• Expand mental health support for responders.

• Develop strategies to embed clinicians in dispatch centers and promote co-responder programs.

• Review involuntary commitment procedures.

• Improve treatment coordination for justice-involved individuals.

It does not:

• Provide new funding.

• Mandate pay raises or staffing increases.

• Require statewide deployment of response models.

• Include deadlines or performance metrics.

• Expand physical capacity for psychiatric or detention facilities.

The order comes more than a year into Stein’s term, after agencies had already been addressing related workforce and service challenges through existing programs.