Behavioral Health

Governors play a critical role in addressing behavioral health in their state, including both mental health and substance use disorders. The Behavioral Health Program supports governor’s offices by providing evidence-informed promising and best practices that promote behavioral health to improve the lives and wellbeing of their constituents.

Since 2012, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices has supported states in their efforts to help prevent and treat substance use disorders and overdose. The Behavioral Health team leads several initiatives that address substance use and related consequences and is supporting efforts to promote mental health and wellbeing.

Featured Initiatives

Implementing a Continuum of Care to Prevent Overdose Policy Academy

To support states with operationalizing recommendations from the publication, “Implementing a Continuum of Care to Prevent Overdose: A Roadmap for Governors” the Behavioral Health team is leading a policy academy for states. The Center will support up to four states with implementation of a policy recommendation from the roadmap through the Policy Academy, which will kick off in January 2024.

Leveraging EMS to Address Overdose Learning Collaborative

This learning collaborative will support up to four states with exploring ways EMS can expand their scope of practice to address the overdose crisis. Policies may include mechanisms that authorize EMS to dispense buprenorphine, divert patients from emergency departments and allow EMS to leave naloxone kits behind on the scenes of overdose.

Implementing State Strategies to Address Infectious Disease Due to Drug Use Learning Collaborative

This learning collaborative will support up to four states with exploring interventions that address the intersection of infectious diseases, including congenital syphilis, hepatitis-c, HIV, and drug use. This virtual collaborative kicked-off in December 2023 and will wrap up in July ‘24.

Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach to Address Addiction and Overdose Policy Academy

This policy academy will support up to four states with identifying strategies that support a trauma-informed approach to addressing addiction and overdose. States will convene for a kick-off meeting in February 2024 and will wrap up in July 2024.

Meet The Team

Marianne Gibson, Program Director
Dana Heilman, Senior Policy Analyst
Alex Entner, Policy Analyst
Chyenne Tran, Policy Analyst
Grace Burns, Policy Coordinator

Our Focus Areas

Sharing evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery strategies/ programs.
Using data and evaluation in policy development to promote behavioral health.
Mitigation of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences to prevent substance use.
Promoting equity across the substance use continuum of care programs and policies.
Expanding access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Identifying trends in polysubstance use and identifying comprehensive responses to addiction.
Addressing infectious diseases related to SUD/OUD.
Cannabis (Emerging)

Services

Strategic planning facilitation and best practice guidance on behavioral health topics
Strategic guidance, feedback, and meeting facilitation support to relevant advisors
Annual Health and Human Services Summit
Health Policy Advisors Network

Opioid State Action Network (OSAN)
Multi-state projects
Customized research briefs and best practice presentations upon request