CERTIFICATION BEHAVIORAL SPECIALTY
CBHC-BS PRACTICE EXAM 2026
◉ What was the economic return on investment for California's
treatment services? Answer: A $209 million investment resulted in
$1.4 billion in savings to various state systems, with 90% of the
savings from avoided crime costs.
◉ How much did sending 1,666 offenders to drug court rather than
prison save Oklahoma? Answer: $47 million over four years.
◉ What correlation exists between family relationships and
outcomes for corrections-involved individuals? Answer: Stronger
relationships with family correlate with better outcomes for
individuals leaving corrections facilities.
◉ What support do family members typically provide to individuals
released from corrections? Answer: Financial resources, housing,
and emotional support.
◉ How do former incarcerated individuals with children fare in
terms of employment and substance use outcomes? Answer: They
,enjoy better employment and substance use outcomes if they are
closely attached to their children.
◉ What challenges do families face when a member is incarcerated?
Answer: Scarcity of alternatives to incarceration, barriers to
involvement, and absence of continuity of care upon release.
◉ Why is supporting parental relationships important in the
criminal justice system? Answer: It is crucial for the well-being of
children and the successful reintegration of parents after
incarceration.
◉ What is the primary challenge faced by judges and court staff
when dealing with defendants with behavioral health disorders?
Answer: Determining the contribution of these disorders to current
charges and their impact on supervision and release.
◉ What is often seen as a more certain placement for ensuring
public safety in the criminal justice system? Answer: Jails and
prisons are sometimes viewed as more certain placements due to
insufficient community treatment and supervision options.
◉ What is the 'revolving-door' nature of individuals with behavioral
health disorders in the criminal justice system? Answer: It refers to
the frequent cycling of these individuals through the system,
,highlighting the need for better diversion, supervision, and
treatment strategies.
◉ What is the significance of the National Resource Center for
Justice Involved Women? Answer: It provides gender-specific
approaches and resources for women involved in the criminal
justice system.
◉ What are the implications of high recidivism rates for individuals
lacking treatment in the criminal justice system? Answer: Costs will
likely continue to increase for courts and correctional systems.
◉ What role does community treatment play in addressing
recidivism? Answer: It is more effective than incarceration in
reducing recidivism rates.
◉ What are some barriers to family involvement when a family
member is incarcerated? Answer: Scarcity of treatment alternatives,
barriers to involvement, and lack of continuity of care.
◉ What is the relationship between mental health disorders and the
criminal justice system? Answer: Many defendants exhibit mental
health disorders, complicating the assessment of their cases.
, ◉ What strategies are suggested for improving outcomes for
individuals with behavioral health disorders in the criminal justice
system? Answer: More effective diversion, supervision, and
treatment strategies.
◉ What is the economic impact of incarceration on productivity?
Answer: It results in significant lost productivity due to
incarceration and crime careers.
◉ What is the total estimated cost of lost productivity due to
incarceration and crime careers? Answer: $54.7 billion ($30.1 billion
from incarceration and $24.6 billion from crime careers).
◉ What type of research supports the effectiveness of community-
based treatment? Answer: State-level research indicates economic
returns and reductions in criminal justice costs.
◉ What is the importance of continuity of care for individuals
released from incarceration? Answer: It is crucial for successful
reintegration and reducing recidivism.
◉ What program provides additional resources for working with
children of incarcerated parents? Answer: Vera's Family Justice
Program.