WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), alongside First Lady Anna Stein, has announced the launch of a new pilot program designed to help individuals with severe mental health needs successfully transition back into their communities after involvement with the criminal justice system.
The initiative, backed by a $9.5 million investment, will establish Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams in Pitt, New Hanover, Wake/Durham, Buncombe, and Mecklenburg counties. These specialized teams aim to reduce reoffending by providing comprehensive, individualized care and diverting those in need of treatment away from the criminal justice system.
A New Model for Reentry and Recovery
FACT teams expand upon the existing Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model by focusing on the unique challenges faced by individuals whose mental illnesses often lead to frequent interactions with law enforcement. Each team will serve up to 30 clients, providing a range of support services including mental health care, housing, substance use treatment, vocational and educational assistance, and referrals to additional community resources.
“I am pleased our state is making a targeted investment to make sure people with severe mental health conditions get the help they need,” said First Lady Anna Stein.
NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai emphasized the broader benefits of the program, noting that comprehensive support can improve both personal outcomes and community safety.
“This new approach will improve outcomes for people with serious mental health needs by ensuring they have the resources and care they need to succeed in their communities,” Sangvai said. “Providing them with housing, transportation, and health care will reduce the chances they will return to jail or prison. This improves not only their health and well-being but also public safety.”
Building a Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Team
North Carolina joins a small group of states implementing FACT programs. Each FACT team will include a team leader, psychiatrist or nurse practitioner, registered nurse, and peer support specialist, along with professionals specializing in substance use disorders, housing, education, and vocational training. A forensic navigator will help bridge the gap between the justice and health systems, while community partners such as faith leaders, probation officers, and family members will also play vital roles.
FACT teams will offer practical, day-to-day support to help clients rebuild stability—assisting with housing, reconnecting with families and faith communities, and developing essential life skills such as meal preparation and personal care.
Eligibility and Funding
To qualify for services, individuals must have a serious mental illness and demonstrate a medium to high risk of criminal behavior. Additional factors include co-occurring substance use disorders, prior non-compliance with court mandates, and frequent contact with first responders or hospitals.
“Recovery isn’t ‘one size fits all.’ For people with mental health and substance use issues, justice involvement adds another layer of complexity,” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. “FACT teams deliver the right support at the right time, helping people rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.”
Each team will receive $636,000 annually for three years, with funding distributed through local management entity/managed care organizations (LME/MCOs). Providers include Strategic Interventions in Mecklenburg County; Carolina Outreach in Wake, Durham, and Pitt counties; and RHA Health Services in Buncombe and New Hanover counties.
Looking Ahead
The FACT teams are expected to begin operations by late 2025 or early 2026. The program is part of a historic investment by the North Carolina General Assembly to strengthen the state’s mental health care infrastructure and ensure that all residents receive care in the setting best suited to their individual needs.
