Crossover connections SOC: enhancing a community-based system of care for youth involved in or at risk of involvement in child welfare and juvenile justice systems - the crossover connections system…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services) awarded $1 million to Region 12 Commission On Mental Health & Mental Retardation, operating as Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources, on September 30, 2026, under the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED) program (CFDA 93.104).

Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources will establish the Crossover Connections System of Care to deliver coordinated behavioral health services to 700 children, youth, and young adults ages 0–21 with serious emotional disturbance involved in or at risk of involvement with child welfare and juvenile justice systems over four years. The project will establish a single point of access, standardized screening, and cross-system referral pathways. Evidence-based practices include cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused CBT, motivational interviewing, trust-based relational intervention, and high-fidelity wraparound. Expanded services include mobile crisis response, intensive home- and community-based care, respite, therapeutic foster care, transition services, and family peer support. Expected outcomes include reduced child welfare and juvenile justice involvement, improved access to trauma-informed care, stronger family engagement, and better behavioral health outcomes.

Performance occurs in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with the period of performance running through September 29, 2030. Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources is a CARF-accredited qualified public behavioral health authority serving 13 rural, medically underserved counties in Region 12 of southern Mississippi.

Crossover connections SOC: enhancing a community-based system of care for youth involved in or at risk of involvement in child welfare and juvenile justice systems - the crossover connections system of care will provide coordinated behavioral health services for 700 children, youth, and young adults ages 0-21 with serious emotional disturbance over four years. Serving youth involved in or at risk of involvement with child welfare and juvenile justice systems, the project will establish a single point of access, standardized screening, and cross-system referral pathways. Evidence-based practices include cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused CBT, motivational interviewing, trust-based relational intervention, and high-fidelity wraparound. Expanded services include mobile crisis response, intensive home- and community-based care, respite, therapeutic foster care, transition services, and family peer support. Expected outcomes include reduced child welfare and juvenile justice involvement, improved access to trauma-informed care, stronger family engagement, and better behavioral health outcomes.