Mission
The Southern Behavioral Health and Law Initiative (SBHLI) at The University of Alabama supports a multidisciplinary team of researchers, practitioners, and community stakeholders focused on mental health, psychology, criminology, law, public health and safety, and policy.
SBHLI facilitates and applies rigorous research and evaluation to enhance evidence-based practice and policy at every phase of the criminal justice system processes, from policing strategies to reentry. SBHLI encourages innovative strategies to promote wellness and recovery, equitable justice, facilitate crime reduction, support diversion programs, improve outcomes for individuals at risk for involvement in the legal system, and support empirically informed policy reform. SBHLI is particularly motivated to learn from and support communities that are traditionally underrepresented and marginalized in criminal legal and research settings. Although situated in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, SBHLI aims to impact research, practice, and policy throughout the Southeast United States.
To accomplish these goals, SBHLI leverages the extensive expertise of The University of Alabama faculty, community-based partners, and traditionally underrepresented and marginalized populations. The initiative serves as a strategic workspace for research groups with the goal of enhancing group capacity to respond to, and be successful in, pursuing grant opportunities. Further, SBHLI supports meaningful research-practitioner partnerships via infrastructure support, data sharing, and professional development. Our work is proudly made possible through grant funding provided by The Sozosei Foundation.
Priorities
- Conduct and disseminate rigorous research related to behavioral health and the legal system.
- Bridge the gap between science and practice to shape public policies, with an emphasis on polices that promote human rights and center personal dignity within the context of the legal system.
- Connect with and support community-based partners in reaching their organizational strategic goals.
- Provide empirically based and community informed training and education for mental health professionals and law enforcement in cross-disciplinary practice.