Familiar Faces Initiative: Model Jurisdictions for Improving Outcomes through Coordinated Health and Justice Systems
Virtual Event | On-Demand Recording
This webinar is available on-demand. If you have trouble accessing the recording, please email nacomeetings@naco.org.
In 2022, NACo relaunched the Familiar Faces Initiative during Mental Health Awareness Month to support counties and cities in better meeting the needs of their familiar faces—individuals with complex health and behavioral health conditions who frequently cycle through jails, homeless shelters, emergency departments and other crisis services. Four Peer Learning Sites across the country (Bexar County, Texas; Johnson County, Kan.; Minnehaha County, S.D. and Orange County, Calif.) have been instrumental in providing models of cross-sector data-sharing that align service delivery and integrate systems of care to improve outcomes for high-needs residents. In parallel, the CSG Justice Center has supported several counties in New Mexico and Georgia in state-wide familiar faces projects. These projects garner support for familiar faces programs across all three branches of government to elevate, scale and support local best practices at a state level.
Join NACo to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Familiar Faces Initiative, participate in discussions with each of the Peer Learning Sites and learn about state and county collaboration to better support familiar faces in local communities.
Watch Recording
Speakers
Mike Brouwer
Hallie Fader-Towe
Gilbert Gonzales
Brett Johnson
Lilly Simmering
Hon. David Sweat
Hon. Briana Zamora
Contact
Featured Initiative
Familiar Faces Initiative
The Familiar Faces Initiative aimed to reduce incarceration and hospitalization rates for individuals frequently cycling through jails, shelters and emergency services. The program encouraged communities to share data and integrate care between health and justice systems for earlier intervention, improving outcomes for these "familiar faces."
U.S. Department of Agriculture announces reorganization
On July 24, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a major reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will relocate thousands of federal employees, restructure regional offices and consolidate administrative services and operations. The changes are expected to reduce USDA’s footprint in Washington, D.C. and shift more personnel to regional hubs across the country.
Counties reassess license plate surveillance amid privacy concerns
Counties across the country are grappling with how to address mass public backlash against local governments’ use of Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers.
Supreme Court hears county climate case
Boulder County, Colo.'s brief to the Supreme Court contends that ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy “intentionally misled the public” about the impacts of climate change and should pay for damage they say is caused by fossil fuels’ contribution to it.
U.S. House introduces the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act to provide upfront security funds to nonprofits
The U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act to provide advance funding to nonprofits receiving federal awards for security improvements.
Senate Agriculture Committee passes Farm Bill
On September 16, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held a markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026, the Senate's version of the 2026 Farm Bill.
Federal agency partnership creates new emergency alert for missing persons with autism
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. announced the development of the National Autism and Endangered Person Alert Initiative.
Transforming Public Defense Operations for the Digital Evidence Era
Learn how the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office tackles surging digital evidence and case workloads using Box to achieve functional parity, automate document lifecycles, and securely query unstructured discovery.
2026 Fall Board of Directors Meeting and Building Better Futures: A County Leaders' Symposium on Youth Outcomes
Hosted by NACo President George Dunlap as part of his presidential spotlight, in partnership with NACo’s Board of Directors and Large Urban County Caucus, the event will focus on practical strategies and collaborative approaches that counties can advance at the local level—from proven prevention and early intervention models to cross-sector partnerships that align resources and expand opportunity.