State leaders continue to face growing pressure to improve outcomes for young people with complex behavioral health needs—while navigating workforce shortages, service gaps, and fragmented systems. During the third convening of the Children’s Behavioral Health Collaborative, participants came together to share real progress, explore new approaches, and learn from one another in a peer-driven environment.

The most recent session brought together 14 participants from seven states—Vermont, Washington, Colorado, North Carolina, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and New Mexico—for an open dialogue focused on improving residential behavioral health services. As with previous convenings, the Collaborative emphasized real-world experiences and peer exchange, creating space for honest discussion about both successes and ongoing challenges.

Spotlight on North Carolina’s Shift in Residential Care

A key highlight of the session was a presentation from Dionne Smith, Child Mental Health Lead at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, who shared the state’s work to improve safety in Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs). North Carolina is making a significant system-level shift away from restraint-based crisis management, investing in approaches that prioritize safety, dignity, and trauma-informed care. Central to this effort is the pilot of the Ukeru Systems model, an evidence-based framework designed to reduce the use of restraint and seclusion. The state’s approach extends beyond program design to include comprehensive funding for training, equipment, and ongoing technical assistance, ensuring providers are equipped to implement new practices effectively.

Key Discussion Themes Across States

In addition to the featured presentation, participants engaged in a broader discussion shaped by shared challenges across states, including:

• The factors driving out-of-state placements for youth requiring residential care
• Variability in how states establish and manage effective PRTF programs
• The ongoing need for coordination, consistency, and access to high-quality services

These conversations highlighted the value of bringing multiple perspectives together to identify both common barriers and promising solutions.

Join the Collaborative

The Children’s Behavioral Health Collaborative continues to serve as a space for peer learning, honest dialogue, and cross-state innovation. As participants build on the momentum from this session, the next convening will be in September, where leaders will continue to explore strategies for strengthening systems and improving outcomes for youth and families.

State and local leaders working to improve children’s behavioral health systems are encouraged to be part of the conversation. Join peers from across the country to share insights, learn from real-world examples, and explore practical strategies for change.