Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCC) Resource Hub
NACo's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Resource Hub provides valuable information for counties working toward developing their own criminal justice coordinating council ("CJCC") or looking to strengthen an existing CJCC.
This hub was developed in partnership with the National Criminal Justice Association.
About CJCCs
Counties leading the way in advancing their administration of criminal justice generally have one common denominator—a formalized body to provide input and direction to county decision makers for the improvement of their criminal legal system. Often these are referred to as a criminal justice coordinating council (“CJCC”).
Resource
Unlock the Power of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils: Enhance Your County's Justice System
Unlock the Power of CJCCs: Enhancing Your County's Justice System
Whether you're looking to create a CJCC from scratch or enhance an existing one, discover the invaluable insights needed to make your county's justice system more efficient, fair and just.
Unlock the Power of CJCCs: Responsive Policies Through Community Engagement
In this webinar, NACo explores how ongoing and consistent community engagement enhances the impact of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCCs) and how these bodies can serve as effective tools for county leaders to actively involve their residents. Learn from real-world examples and discover strategies to create a more responsive and inclusive criminal legal system.
Unlock the Power of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils: Enhance Your County's Justice System
Balancing public safety with innovative and cost-effective policies and programs can reduce over-reliance on jails and other aspects of the local justice system when alternative options may prove to be a better response.
Partner Resources
National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
Developed by the National Institute of Corrections, the National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils is a comprehensive framework for the formation and ongoing management of criminal justice coordinating councils (CJCCs). These standards represent the accumulation of practical knowledge on CJCCs, and they outline practices and protocols deemed highly effective in operating a high-functioning council.
Guidelines for Developing a Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
This document provides guidelines for establishing a local criminal justice coordinating committee (CJCC). It describes CJCCs and provides specific guidance for their development and operation.
CJCC Essential Elements: A Companion to the National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
This companion publication to the National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils describes each essential element and key factors that indicate the presence of the element. This publication provides a checklist for CJCCs, along with a CJCC essential elements assessment tool. Both the checklist and the essential elements assessment tool are designed to assist jurisdictions seeking to form a CJCC, by providing a framework of effective practices. For jurisdictions with an existing CJCC, the essential elements assessment tool serves as an instrument for assessing the health and effectiveness of their council.
CJCC Document Examples and Templates
The Justice Management Institute surveyed CJCC members nationwide to understand what value these professionals experience through their CJCC membership and the benefits that CJCCs bring to their jurisdictions. This publication, developed with funding from the National Institute of Corrections, presents findings from that survey.
National Network of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
Administered by the Justice Management Institute (JMI), the National Network of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (NNCJCC) empowers CJCCs to drive positive change through knowledge sharing, advocacy and innovation. It advocates for CJCC directors leading systemic initiatives and serves as a resource for jurisdictions looking to establish or sustain an effective CJCC.
National Survey of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
This publication presents findings from a national survey of criminal justice coordinating council (CJCC) directors and members. It is one of a series of publications aimed at enhancing the literature about CJCCs and highlighting their purpose and value in shaping local justice systems.
DOJ releases updated list of designated sanctuary jurisdictions
On August 5, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published an updated list of designated “sanctuary jurisdictions” following the Administration’s Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens Executive Order.
FEMA releases nearly $1 billion in preparedness grants
On August 1, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced nearly $1 billion in new grant funding to help states, local governments, tribes and territories strengthen disaster preparedness.
HALT Fentanyl Act signed into law
On July 16, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) (P.L. 119-26) was signed into law, marking a major turning point in the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic. The bipartisan legislation permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, granting law enforcement the authority to combat the growing threat posed by synthetic opioids. The law’s enactment follows years of temporary extensions that placed these substances under federal control on a provisional basis.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders release bipartisan FEMA reform package with major wins for counties
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act
County Countdown – June 30, 2025
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. This week features the Senate reconciliation debate, transparency on sanctuary designations and more.
Understanding the Homelessness Executive Order: Federal Shifts, County Impacts and Next Steps
Join NACo on Tuesday, August 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET for a timely webinar outlining major changes to federal funding, grant conditions, and policy priorities that directly affect county homelessness programs, behavioral health systems and enforcement strategies.
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