North Carolina - Strengthening Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health (JJBH) Services

Case Study

 
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Statewide Effort to Strengthen Behavioral Health for Justice-Involved Youth

Beginning in October 2025, EBA partnered with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS), on a new initiative to conduct a statewide assessment of the Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health (JJBH) program and to identify ways to strengthen the effectiveness of JJBH programs and supports statewide. JJBH partnerships help justice-involved youth who are living with mental health or substance use challenges through individualized assessment followed by timely referrals to effective, evidence-based treatment and support services. Guided by System of Care values, the partnership promotes a person-centered approach that engages families, providers, and community partners.  

 
 

Problem

Coordinating consistent, effective services across diverse local systems 

Across North Carolina, local JJBH teams work directly with youth and families by providing screening, assessments, program referrals, and evidence-based treatment. They are charged with the responsibility of working closely with juvenile crime prevention councils to ensure services are coordinated and effective. Together, the state and local teams are challenged to create and manage a coordinated system designed to improve outcomes for young people and their families. Since the inception of the JJBH strategy, the state has tried various ways to improve key aspects of system functioning and to demonstrate improved effectiveness—aiming for more youth and family engagement, more timely and comprehensive, high-quality assessment of mental health needs, and targeted referrals that effectively address identified needs and improve youth wellbeing.

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Solution

Statewide assessment to strengthen partnerships and system performance 

 Working collaboratively with the DHHS juvenile justice team in this project, EBA will assess the structure of JJBH partnerships, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. Once the assessment is completed, EBA will provide strategic recommendations to enhance collaboration, improve efficiency, and strengthen behavioral health outcomes for justice-involved youth. This initiative reflects North Carolina’s commitment to ensuring that every young person has access to the care and support they need to succeed. 

Outcome

Clear strategies to improve access, quality, and youth outcomes 

 The desired outcome of the JJBH Network Analysis is to strengthen JJBH program partnerships across the state. EBA will present results and recommendations to DHHS and key stakeholders in Fall 2026. Targeted outcomes include strategies for improving JJBH policies and workflows to ensure access to and implementation of evidence-based programs designed to improve youth and family functioning. 

115 +
Years of combined experience
20 +
Evidence-based models supported
30 +
States and counties served

Solutions EBA Provided

Needs Assessment & Program Alignment

Assess current structures and practices to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improved alignment across state and local systems.

Workforce & Provider Capacity Assessment

Evaluate provider network capacity, staffing, and service availability to understand system readiness and identify areas for growth.

Training & Capacity Needs Assessment

Identify training gaps and capacity-building needs to support consistent, high-quality service delivery across teams.

Utilization & Referral Management

Examine referral processes and service utilization to identify barriers and improve timely access to appropriate care.

Quality, Evaluation & Stakeholder Engagement

Engage stakeholders and review system performance to inform recommendations that strengthen quality, coordination, and outcomes.

Texas

EBA oversees Texas's MST initiative, providing intensive home-based services to address mental health needs of high-risk youth.

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