New Behavioral Health Unit Opens in Butner
On October 12, 2026, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (DJJDP) and New Hope Treatment Centers celebrated the inauguration of PIVOT (Pathways to Independent Value Opportunity Transformations), a newly established behavioral health unit located at the C.A. Dillon Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Butner.
This initiative, backed by a $3.5 million funding commitment from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, will operate as a two-year pilot program. It is designed to assist youth who have been referred from various juvenile detention and youth development facilities by providing essential crisis intervention and stabilization services aimed at facilitating their rehabilitation and restoration.
Addressing Behavioral Health Needs
DJJDP Deputy Secretary William Lassiter highlighted the prevalent behavioral health challenges faced by youth within the juvenile justice system. He noted that those in juvenile detention often struggle to access appropriate community-based mental health services due to their legal circumstances. “PIVOT is a step in the right direction to ensuring that youth can access enhanced therapeutic services,” he stated, emphasizing the need to address both therapeutic and criminogenic requirements within a secure environment.
To deliver these critical mental health services, DJJDP has teamed up with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Alliance Health, and New Hope Treatment Centers. This partnership aims to provide comprehensive residential treatment and support for children and their families. Clinicians from New Hope will collaborate with DJJDP staff to offer crisis intervention, conduct assessments, and ensure holistic care for the youth involved.
Focus on Trauma-Informed Care
Matt Simon, Chief Operating Officer of New Hope Treatment Centers, expressed pride in partnering with DJJDP and NCDHHS on this project, which aligns with the organization’s mission. He emphasized the importance of trauma-informed treatment in addressing the root causes of adolescent behavioral issues, stating, “Robust trauma-informed treatment must be at the root of effective juvenile rehabilitation programs.”
The need for such services is underscored by recent statistics indicating that a vast majority of youth entering the juvenile justice system present with complex behavioral health issues. A 2025 survey revealed that 99.4% of youth in North Carolina’s youth development centers had at least one mental health diagnosis, with many presenting multiple diagnoses, complicating their care and rehabilitation.
Impact on Youth and Future Care
North Carolina’s Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai remarked on the potential for appropriate mental health care to significantly alter the life trajectories of youth within the justice system, enabling them to reintegrate into their communities as productive individuals. He expressed gratitude for the partnership fostering improved behavioral health crisis care and its integration with the justice system.
Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, Kelly Crosbie, emphasized the necessity of providing supportive and hopeful environments for all youth, particularly those involved in the juvenile justice system. She noted that many of these young people have faced considerable trauma and have not received the mental health care they required prior to entering the system. The PIVOT unit represents a crucial advancement towards ensuring that these youth receive the compassionate, trauma-informed treatment they deserve.
Alignment with State Initiatives
The creation of the PIVOT unit is in line with Governor Josh Stein’s Executive Order 33, which aims to enhance access to mental health care for individuals involved in the justice system. By introducing intensive crisis intervention services at C.A. Dillon, this unit is set to pave the way for better integration of mental health care, trauma-informed approaches, and secure custody practices.
Source: N.C. Department of Public Safety
