The National Association of Counties (NACo) is pleased to announce the second round of participants for the Convening County, Court & Justice Leaders: A Framework for Cross-System Collaboration initiative. The initiative was launched in January 2022 by NACo and its partners at Rulo Strategies and Praxis Consulting, with support from the State Justice Institute. It is designed to support county, court and justice leaders as they partner to establish local priorities and align resources to achieve their justice and public safety goals. Sites will receive ongoing one-on-one technical assistance, have access to a peer network and be offered the opportunity to showcase their results in a nationally disseminated toolkit. The second round of participating sites are:

• Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville, Va.
• Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• Lake County, Colo.
• Navajo County, Ariz.
• Potter County, Pa.

Berrien County, Mich.

Improving services for youth and formalizing criminal justice coordination 

The Berrien County team will develop a plan to enhance access to services for youth as part of a new juvenile justice complex in the county. Specific service areas include establishing an early intervention program to reduce contact with the juvenile justice system, developing comprehensive wrap-around services for youth and families and implementing appropriate diversion programs. The Berrien County team will work to build collaborative relationships between county, court and justice partners to develop a vision for positive community change.

Cambria County, Pa.

Increasing access to services and improving data sharing and analysis

The Cambria County Criminal Justice Advisory Board will examine opportunities for data collection to improve information sharing between its justice system, public safety agencies and community-based treatment providers. Specifically, the team will explore strategies to implement and increase access to recovery housing services, reentry programming, court diversion programs and trauma-informed practices and trauma-focused services.

Gallatin County, Mont.

Aligning objectives and resources to improve outcomes for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders

The Gallatin County team will establish a data-driven road map for a systematic approach to supporting individuals with mental health and substance use disorders in their community. The team will build upon strong existing partnerships and knowledge among behavioral health stakeholders to prioritize strategies and solutions that may include ideas such as improving access to treatment courts, developing mobile crisis services and supporting reentry from jail.

Mesa County, Colo.

Bridging the gap between justice and behavioral health systems

The Mesa County team will assess needs/gaps in policy and practice and identify priority areas for collaboration and improvement within the county’s criminal justice and behavioral health systems. The team will focus on areas such as reducing the number of individuals with mental health and substance use disorders in jail, reducing the county’s reliance on incarceration and enhancing community trust. The team plans to engage community and justice stakeholders by administering surveys, hosting focus groups and building upon its existing peer network to gather data and feedback.

Rockdale County, Ga.

Enhancing diversion opportunities for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders

The Rockdale County team will explore strategies to address jail capacity issues, enhance cross-system coordination and improve data collection and information sharing among partners. The team will identify strategies to ensure a continuum of care for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders involved in the criminal justice system and develop a plan to ensure long-term sustainability.

All selected sites will receive ongoing one-on-one technical assistance, have access to a peer network and be offered the opportunity to showcase their results in a nationally disseminated toolkit.