A governor is uniquely situated to look across the state and coordinate action among state agencies, communities and stakeholders. Many governors are actively engaged in aligning multiple health delivery system reform efforts with broader population health strategies and exploring economically sustainable models. One focal point of the NGA work with states is in establishing or scaling up cost-effective programs for individuals with complex care needs. Many of those individuals have unmet behavioral health (mental illness and/or substance misuse) and social service needs that are better served in the community and outside of acute care or institutional settings. To that end, NGA is providing states technical assistance around a number of policy priorities in behavioral health including:
- Improving outcomes and reducing cost of care for complex populations
- System-level behavioral health and primary care integration
- Capacity building in rural and underserved areas
- Supportive housing
- Behavioral health in criminal justice involved
NGA Resources
State and Federal Actions to Respond to Xylazine
Youth Mental Health and Substance Use
Governors Lead the Way on Behavioral Health Workforce Needs
Governors Lead on Solutions to Improve Mental Health in the Workplace
Briefing on State Implementation of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Governors’ Top Health Priorities in 2023 State of the State Addresses
DPAD Learning Collaborative
governors and states meet to talk prevention and resilience in youth mental health
Supporting Workers with Disabilities by Addressing the Mental and Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage
