---
title: Mecklenburg County Selected for National Behavioral Health and Justice Initiative
canonical: https://cltfeed.com/mecklenburg-county-selected-for-national-behavioral-health-and-justice-initiative/
published: '2026-11-09T01:02:14-05:00'
updated: '2026-11-09T01:02:14-05:00'
author: CLTFeed Staff
section: Mecklenburg County
tags:
- Sheriff
source: Mecklenburg County
source_url: https://news.mecknc.gov/news/mecklenburg-county-selected-national-behavioral-health-and-justice-initiative
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# Mecklenburg County Selected for National Behavioral Health and Justice Initiative

On November 2, 2026, Mecklenburg County was selected as one of 12 counties across nine states to participate in a national pilot program aimed at improving responses to individuals with behavioral health needs within local criminal justice systems.

The initiative, called Counties Aligning Health & Safety, is led by the Council of State Governments Justice Center in partnership with various organizations, with Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services overseeing the program.

---

### Press Release: Mecklenburg County

*Published November 2, 2026. Reproduced in full from the [Mecklenburg County](https://news.mecknc.gov/news/mecklenburg-county-selected-national-behavioral-health-and-justice-initiative).*

#### Mecklenburg County Selected for National Behavioral Health and Justice Initiative

Mecklenburg County is one of 12 counties across nine states selected to participate in a national pilot program aimed at improving how local criminal justice systems respond to individuals with behavioral health needs.

The initiative, called *Counties Aligning Health & Safety*, is led by the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center in partnership with the National Association of Counties, the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, and the National Sheriffs’ Association.

Locally, [Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services](https://cjs.mecknc.gov/) will be responsible for the oversight and coordination of the initiative. Through the program, they will work with national experts and local partners to examine how behavioral health services and the criminal justice system intersect, identify opportunities for improved coordination, and explore approaches that address local needs.

The pilot will provide participating counties with technical assistance, research-based resources, and opportunities to learn from other jurisdictions. The goal is to help local leaders make informed decisions about appropriate interventions for individuals with behavioral health needs at different points in the criminal justice process.

“Participation in this initiative gives us an opportunity to take a closer look at how our systems work together and where we can make improvements,” said Sonya Harper, director of Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services. “By working with our local partners and learning from national experts, we can identify practical approaches to better coordinate services and respond to the needs of individuals who interact with the criminal justice system.”

Mecklenburg County and Wake County are the two North Carolina counties selected for the initiative. The pilot is funded by Arnold Ventures.

For more information about the initiative, visit [the CSG Justice Center’s Aligning Health & Safety website.](https://projects.csgjusticecenter.org/aligning-health-and-safety/counties/)

Source: [Mecklenburg County](https://news.mecknc.gov/news/mecklenburg-county-selected-national-behavioral-health-and-justice-initiative)