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."
Shutdown stresses counties, residents dependent on SNAP
Counties are scrambling to support their most vulnerable populations by working with food banks and community organizations to mitigate the impact of a disruption of SNAP and WIC benefits in November, due to the government shutdown.
County Leaders Advocate for FEMA Act in Visit to Washington, D.C.
 Nearly two dozen county leaders from 15 states are in attendance this week at a National Association of Counties (NACo) fly-in focused on disaster reform.
Senate passes Second Chance Act reauthorization
On May 22, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 3552/S.1843) was introduced in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives with robust bipartisan support. NACo supports this legislation, which would reauthorize funding for Second Chance Act (P.L. 110-199) programs through 2030.
FEMA delays $11 billion in state disaster reimbursements
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently withheld roughly $11 billion in planned disaster reimbursements to 45 states, shifting the payments to fiscal year 2026 and marking a major change in how the federal government is managing disaster relief funding.
Nuanced EMS response addresses paramedic shortage
Facing a shortage of paramedics, Pasquotank County, N.C. created a response program that better assigns its personnel to where their skills are most needed.
