Behavioral Health and Justice Programming
NACo’s behavioral health and justice programs strengthen county leadership and foster innovation in our delivery of behavioral health crisis services and a fair and efficient justice system. Participating counties are implementing best practices to separate individuals in crisis from justice involvement, enhance behavioral health prevention and care, improve outcomes for youth and enhance data sharing and coordination across systems and levels of government.
“Those [behavioral health peer exchanges] have been a wonderful opportunity to see some of the great work that’s happening in different parts of the country in real time. It also gave us an opportunity to assess how far along we are in terms of developing some of the system enhancements…”
– Candace Andersen, Supervisor, Contra Costa County, Calif.
Current Programming
County Behavioral Health Crisis Response
Through technical assistance, national partnerships and member-driven initiatives, NACo’s County Behavioral Health Crisis Response programs equip county leaders with resources, peer learning opportunities and national initiatives that strengthen local behavioral health systems.
Youth Justice
Through technical assistance, national partnerships and member-driven initiatives, NACo’s Youth Justice programming equips county leaders with resources and peer learning opportunities to strengthen local youth justice systems.
Recent Past Programming
County Juvenile Justice Innovation Network
NACo’s County Juvenile Justice Innovation Network (CJJIN) sought to strengthen counties' practical understanding and capacity to address the needs of youth involved in their local juvenile justice systems. This peer learning network focused on innovative practices and evidence-based resources to inform strategic action planning and investment in the well-being and future of youth within participating communities.
CJJIN concluded in Fall 2024.
CORE Justice Network
The CORE Justice Network was a group of county officials working to drive change in the criminal legal system. The cohort focused on innovative, county-led approaches to equity, exploring policies, practices and programs with measurable impact on justice-involved populations.
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."
Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions
Reaching Rural is a 1-year initiative designed for rural justice and public safety practitioners.
The Stepping Up Initiative
The Stepping Up Initiative is a data-driven framework that aims to reduce the overincarceration of people with mental illnesses in jails through training, resources, and support that are tailored to local needs.
How to Get Involved
- Join the Mental Health Partners newsletter featuring our latest news and resources.
- Join the national Stepping Up initiative to reduce mental illness in jails.
Sign Up for Updates
Key Resources
Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCC) Resource Hub
Counties advancing criminal justice often rely on a formalized body, like a Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), to guide decision-making. NACo's CJCC Resource Hub offers valuable information for counties looking to establish or strengthen their CJCCs.
Spotlighting Local Leadership: Strengthening the Behavioral Health Continuum of Care
Counties play a critical role in supporting community members living with a behavioral health condition or experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
Promoting Health and Safety Through a Behavioral Health Continuum of Care
By forming strategic partnerships throughout health and justice systems, county leaders are better serving residents with behavioral health conditions such as mental illness and/or substance use disorders.
Probation Landscape Web Tool
County governments play a central role in public safety and the administration of justice. Cumulatively, counties invest $107 billion in justice and public safety efforts each year. One component of the criminal legal system is community supervision.
New Law Brings Long-Sought Transparency to FEMA Disaster Reimbursements
A new federal law requires FEMA to publish a publicly accessible, interactive dashboard tracking all Public Assistance reimbursement requests, giving counties unprecedented visibility into disaster recovery funding.
Counties eye potential Medicaid reimbursement remedies
Increasing the number of beds in mental health treatment facilities eligible for Medicaid reimbursement would empower counties to do more to help their residents.
Counties Recognize Mental Health Awareness Month
The National Association of Counties (NACo) again this year will mark Mental Health Awareness Month throughout the month of May with counties advocating for solutions that support the wellbeing of residents and address the nation’s mental health crisis.
House clears budget resolution, advancing Reconciliation 2.0 to fund DHS and CBP
On April 21, U.S. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) unveiled a budget resolution to advance a party-line reconciliation package focused on immigration enforcement and funding for agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The resolution is the first step in a two-part process aimed at producing final legislation by June 1.
Breaking the Cycle: Behavioral Health Diversion Strategies for Counties
This interactive fireside chat brings together county leaders and behavioral health experts to explore how communities are building the diversion infrastructure to change outcomes.
Leveraging Opioid Settlement Funds for Housing Supports: Strategies for Counties
This webinar will highlight practical strategies for using opioid settlement funds to support housing initiatives at the local level.
Program Lead
