CORE Justice Network
The CORE Justice Network is a group of county officials working to drive change in the criminal legal system. The cohort focuses on innovative, county-led approaches to equity, exploring policies, practices and programs with measurable impact on justice-involved populations.
This work is funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. This network will continue through Spring 2025.
About the Network
Together CORE Network members learn about the policies, practices and programs that can be used to identify and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal legal system. They receive monthly research-based emails, take part in quarterly calls with guest speakers and participate in in-person peer exchanges.
- Hon. Mary Ann Borgeson, Douglas County, Neb.
- Hon. Sharon Weston Broome, East Baton Rouge Parish, La.
- Hon. Charlie Cavell, Oakland County, Mich.
- Hon. Erica Crawley, Franklin County, Ohio
- Hon. Latifah Faisal, Story County, Iowa
- Hon. Tara Gaston, Saratoga County, N.Y.
- Hon. John Idleburg, Lake County, Ill.
- Hon. Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Clark County, Nev.
- Hon. Lloyd LaCroix, Pennington County, S.D.
- Hon. Donna Miller, Cook County, Ill.
- Hon. Mary Beth Murphy, Guilford County, N.C.
- Hon. Dana Pellebon, Dane County, Wis.
- Hon. Alana Sanders, Newton County, Ga.
- Hon. Lori Stegmann, Multnomah County, Ore.
- Hon. Vivian Thomas, Henry County, Ga.
U.S. House reintroduces legislation to address the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy with NACo support
Two bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) were recently reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. House of Representatives re-establishes Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus with NACo support
On May 7, members of the U.S. House of Representatives appointed new leadership to the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, reaffirming their commitment to addressing the nation’s mental health crisis through cross-party collaboration. This renewed focus is a welcome development for counties, which serve on the frontlines of the behavioral health system. Bipartisan initiatives like this help elevate mental health as a national priority, support counties in advancing meaningful policy change and strengthen partnerships across all levels of government.
New disaster recovery grants now open to support county economic development
The U.S. Economic Development Administration has launched the Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program, making $1.45 billion available to help communities recover from natural disasters and build long-term economic resilience. Counties affected by major disaster declarations in 2023 or 2024 are eligible to apply for funding to rebuild infrastructure, strengthen local economies and prepare for future disruptions. This program goes beyond immediate recovery, aiming to transform local economies and foster sustainable, long-term economic growth.
Congress introduces 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.
Fire and emergency response grants now open for counties
On May 20, FEMA announced the opening of the Fiscal Year 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program and the Fiscal Year 2024 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program, which support fire departments and firefighter organizations in increasing staffing and improving safety nationwide.
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