RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced today the launch of a groundbreaking two-year pilot program that will introduce an innovative crisis intervention system to 22 Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) for youth across the state.
The initiative will implement Ukeru®, a safe and comforting alternative to restraint and seclusion practices, which are traditionally high-risk techniques used to contain individuals considered dangerous to themselves or others. The program will be operated through seven provider agencies and represents a significant shift in how mental health crises are managed in youth facilities.
State Leadership Emphasizes Therapeutic Benefits
“De-escalation while reducing and preventing restraint and seclusion improves quality, outcomes, safety, and satisfaction for patients and providers,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “We want youth in North Carolina’s system of care facilities to have the most therapeutic experience possible so they can quickly get on the path to recovery and go on to have fulfilling lives.”
Revolutionary Approach to Crisis Intervention
Ukeru, meaning “to receive” in Japanese, stands as the first crisis intervention training program in the United States to completely eliminate the use of restraint and seclusion as behavioral management tools. The system is founded on the principle that physical restraint is both unnecessary and counterproductive, advocating instead for an approach centered on comfort rather than control.
The program has already demonstrated significant success nationwide, with more than 1,000 schools and organizations across all 50 states, as well as facilities in Canada and Brazil, currently implementing Ukeru methodologies.
Comprehensive Training and Curriculum
Trainer certification sessions were conducted in Raleigh and Marshville in July to prepare staff for implementation. The comprehensive Ukeru curriculum covers essential areas including brain development, trauma response, communication techniques, conflict resolution, de-escalation strategies, and protective physical skills.
A key innovation of the Ukeru system is its use of soft, cushioned blocking pads that ensure the safety of both clients and staff while maintaining therapeutic engagement. These tools enable facilities to better serve youth needs and support emotional regulation without resorting to traditional restraint methods.
Participating Provider Agencies
Seven provider agencies are taking part in the North Carolina pilot program:
- Alexander Youth Network
- Thompson Child & Family Focus
- Canyon Hills Treatment Facility
- Premier Healthcare Services
- Acute Behavioral Health/Oakwood Treatment
- Premier Service of Carolina
- Anderson Health Services
Trauma-Informed Care Focus
Kelly Crosbie MSW, LCSW, NCDHHS Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services, emphasized the program’s trauma-informed approach and its critical importance for vulnerable youth populations.
“For kids who have experienced trauma, adding to that trauma through the use of restraint and seclusion can be devastating and can lead to more aggression and longer destructive cycles,” Crosbie explained. “The Ukeru implementation pilot is one of the initiatives we have incorporated as part of our comprehensive plan to build a stronger system of mental health care for our youth. We are grateful these providers have embraced the pilot program. We will support successful implementation and collect data to monitor the effectiveness of the program in our facilities.”
Part of Historic Mental Health Investment
This initiative represents one component of North Carolina’s unprecedented $835 million investment aimed at building a comprehensive mental health care system that serves all residents effectively. The broader strategy focuses on reducing the number of children experiencing mental health crises through enhanced early intervention and prevention services delivered in communities and schools.
The investment also ensures that children in crisis have access to faster and more effective assistance. Inpatient psychiatric hospitals will be better equipped to serve children through strengthened workforce capacity and expanded options for less intensive care alternatives.
System Transformation Goals
NCDHHS has prioritized improving the quality of residential interventions for children with complex needs as part of its broader mission to transform mental health care throughout North Carolina. Officials will closely monitor the pilot program’s implementation and collect comprehensive data to assess its effectiveness across participating facilities.
Additional details about North Carolina’s historic behavioral health investment are available in a white paper titled “Transforming North Carolina’s Behavioral Health System: Investing in a system that delivers whole-person care when and where people need it,” made possible through collaboration with the NC General Assembly.
