Aligning Funding
State funding plays a critical role in the inception and sustained success of local initiatives that work across systems to reduce justice system contact for people with behavioral health needs. State policymakers have access to unique funding levers that can reduce persistent barriers to local reforms and elevate shared priorities and promising strategies across their states. States can also help leverage federal resources, especially those focused on health and housing, and provide guidance and support to ensure communities are accessing and strategically deploying funding. State leaders can also spearhead partnerships to secure financial support from the private sector, including philanthropy, health plans, and hospitals.
However, as different sector-driven policy initiatives work to serve shared populations, they may duplicate efforts or create gaps in funding that are labor intensive for communities to fill. As states work admirably to build in needed accountability measures (e.g., adding data reporting requirements, centering evidence-based practices, and adhering to the principles of strong program design), they may erect unintentional barriers that prevent communities from participating in these important programs in the first place.
This section covers financing and budgetary strategies to help state policymakers strategically leverage state, federal, and private dollars to advance shared criminal justice, behavioral health, and housing goals. This includes increasing access to state funding for community-based organizations (CBOs) that are by, for, and about the people they serve.
