Counties Building Safe and Healthy Communities: 12 Impact Stories

-
Reports & ToolkitsCounties across the country are developing policies, practices and programs to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system for community members living with behavioral health conditions, such as mental illness and substance use disorder.Counties Building Safe and Healthy Communities: 12 Impact StoriesNovember 17, 2022November 17, 2022, 4:00 pm
-
Document
Counties Building Safe and Healthy Communities: 12 Impact Stories
Counties across the country are developing policies, practices and programs to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system for community members living with behavioral health conditions, such as mental illness and substance use disorder.
As part of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge, the National Association of Counties (NACo) created a County Justice Peer Learning Network (PLN) to support county leaders – as a key constituency for justice reform – from January 2020 to October 2022. Counties participating in the PLN developed and implemented action plans to reduce the number of community members with behavioral health conditions involved in the legal system and identify and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities.
Between January 2020 and October 2022, of the 12 Peer Learning Network sites developing policies, practices and programs to better serve community members with behavioral health conditions, enhance public safety and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal legal system:
- 10 opened, approved or explored developing a crisis triage center
- 10 deployed, piloted or discussed implementing mobile crisis teams
- 8 launched behavioral health programs to assist people in jail
- 6 partnered with local universities to support research activities and data-driven decision making
- 9 dedicated a combined $38.3 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Recovery Funds towards public safety and behavioral health programs and improvements
- 7 established data dashboards, and
- 6 launched or enhanced initiatives focused on racial equity.
The report outlines the accomplishments of the PLN members in supporting vulnerable residents, reducing the local jail population and addressing racial and ethnic disparities.
Hear from a Few PLN Members About the Impact of Participating in the Network
Hon. Nancy Coffey, Eau Claire County, Wis.
“The peer learning network helps us to see how we can maybe avoid having people end up incarcerated and have help with mental health issues and with drug and alcohol issues.”
– Nancy Coffey, Supervisor, Eau Claire County, Wis.
Ruchelle Pride, Franklin County, Ohio
“The peer learning network has been an amazing experience for us because it gives us a sense of community and also helps us understand that we are not alone in the many issues that we are tasked with facing and addressing each and every day for the residents we serve.”
– Ruchelle Pride, Director, Office of Justice Policy & Programs, Franklin County, Ohio
Hon. Shannon Reid, Douglas County, Kan.
“Something I love about the peer learning network model is that it’s about open-source information sharing so it's about […] really being collaborative and sharing information openly to figure out where the gaps and opportunities are.”
– Shannon Reid, Chair, Board of Commissioners, Douglas County, Kan.
Hon. Wendy Jacobs, Durham County, N.C.
“There is nothing that can take the place of in-person engagement. Coming to visit on-site and seeing what other counties are doing that are implementing innovative and best practices. And being with other elected officials, staff members from other counties and the NACo staff, and all of the conversations that you have in person are incredibly valuable.”
– Wendy Jacobs, Vice-Chair, Board of Commissioners, Durham County, N.C.
Hon. Alana Sanders, Newton County, Ga.
“That is why I went […] to learn what I can do in Newton County; to bring it back to work […] with our sheriff’s department, our law enforcement, our judicial system to find out what we can do to provide for those residents that need our help and assistance.”
– Alana Sanders, Commissioner, Newton County, Ga.
Sandra Bankston, Lake County, Ill.
“To see something that’s being done in another area, I hope to gain tools that we can bring back and put into action where I am.”
– Sandra Bankston, Justice Manager, State’s Attorney’s Office/Living Room Wellness Center, Lake County, Ill.
Dave Riewestahl, Jail Administrator, Eau Claire County, Wis.
“The peer learning network is important as far as learning how do we reduce our jail population to keep those who don’t need to be in jail out of jail and getting the services they need in the community and making sure it is sustainable.”
– Dave Riewestahl, Captain/Jail Administrator, Eau Claire County, Wis.
Counties across the country are developing policies, practices and programs to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system for community members living with behavioral health conditions, such as mental illness and substance us2022-11-17Reports & Toolkits2022-11-17
Counties across the country are developing policies, practices and programs to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system for community members living with behavioral health conditions, such as mental illness and substance use disorder.
As part of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge, the National Association of Counties (NACo) created a County Justice Peer Learning Network (PLN) to support county leaders – as a key constituency for justice reform – from January 2020 to October 2022. Counties participating in the PLN developed and implemented action plans to reduce the number of community members with behavioral health conditions involved in the legal system and identify and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities.
Between January 2020 and October 2022, of the 12 Peer Learning Network sites developing policies, practices and programs to better serve community members with behavioral health conditions, enhance public safety and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal legal system:
- 10 opened, approved or explored developing a crisis triage center
- 10 deployed, piloted or discussed implementing mobile crisis teams
- 8 launched behavioral health programs to assist people in jail
- 6 partnered with local universities to support research activities and data-driven decision making
- 9 dedicated a combined $38.3 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Recovery Funds towards public safety and behavioral health programs and improvements
- 7 established data dashboards, and
- 6 launched or enhanced initiatives focused on racial equity.
The report outlines the accomplishments of the PLN members in supporting vulnerable residents, reducing the local jail population and addressing racial and ethnic disparities.
Hear from a Few PLN Members About the Impact of Participating in the Network
“The peer learning network helps us to see how we can maybe avoid having people end up incarcerated and have help with mental health issues and with drug and alcohol issues.” – Nancy Coffey, Supervisor, Eau Claire County, Wis. |
|
“The peer learning network has been an amazing experience for us because it gives us a sense of community and also helps us understand that we are not alone in the many issues that we are tasked with facing and addressing each and every day for the residents we serve.” – Ruchelle Pride, Director, Office of Justice Policy & Programs, Franklin County, Ohio |
|
“Something I love about the peer learning network model is that it’s about open-source information sharing so it's about […] really being collaborative and sharing information openly to figure out where the gaps and opportunities are.” – Shannon Reid, Chair, Board of Commissioners, Douglas County, Kan. |
|
“There is nothing that can take the place of in-person engagement. Coming to visit on-site and seeing what other counties are doing that are implementing innovative and best practices. And being with other elected officials, staff members from other counties and the NACo staff, and all of the conversations that you have in person are incredibly valuable.” – Wendy Jacobs, Vice-Chair, Board of Commissioners, Durham County, N.C. |
|
“That is why I went […] to learn what I can do in Newton County; to bring it back to work […] with our sheriff’s department, our law enforcement, our judicial system to find out what we can do to provide for those residents that need our help and assistance.” – Alana Sanders, Commissioner, Newton County, Ga. |
|
“To see something that’s being done in another area, I hope to gain tools that we can bring back and put into action where I am.” – Sandra Bankston, Justice Manager, State’s Attorney’s Office/Living Room Wellness Center, Lake County, Ill. |
|
Dave Riewestahl, Jail Administrator, Eau Claire County, Wis. |
“The peer learning network is important as far as learning how do we reduce our jail population to keep those who don’t need to be in jail out of jail and getting the services they need in the community and making sure it is sustainable.” – Dave Riewestahl, Captain/Jail Administrator, Eau Claire County, Wis. |
Standard

-
County News
Justice Peer Learning Network explores keeping mentally ill from jail
County leaders participating in NACo’s County Justice Peer Learning Network got together in October to learn more about how Lucas County, Ohio supports justice-involved community members with mental health conditions. -
Blog
NACo Launches New County Justice Peer Learning Network With 13 Counties
NACo will support 13 counties from across the country with creating strategies to address justice-involved individuals with mental illness while examining racial and ethnic disparities in their justice systems
-
Blog
New DOJ funding opportunities for counties to improve school security and reduce youth violence
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released three funding opportunities for counties to improve security at schools and reduce youth violence. -
Blog
Senate HELP Committee seeks comments on pandemic and all-hazards preparedness
On March 15, Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) released a request for information seeking input from public health officials, health care providers and other stakeholders on policies the Committee should consider during the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. -
Blog
NACo submits comments to Senate HELP Committee on health care workforce shortages
On March 2, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a request for information from health care stakeholders on the causes of and solutions for current health care workforce shortages. -
Blog
Webinar Recap: County Strategies to Recruit and Retain a Strong Behavioral Health Workforce
For county governments, a strong and fully staffed behavioral health workforce is key to supporting people living with behavioral health conditions. Like other sectors, county governments are experiencing a shortage in local behavioral health workforce. -
Blog
County officials discuss harm reduction as a path forward through the overdose epidemic
Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, director of the Baltimore County, Md. Department of Health and Human Services, speaks at NACo’s 2023 Legislative Conference. Photo by Leon Lawrence III. -
Blog
Addressing social determinants of health with GIS technology
Discover the transformative power of GIS technology in addressing social determinants of health and building healthier communities.
-
Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
April 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmCounties are directing resources to programs, practices and policies to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system, improve public safety, better serve residents with behavioral health conditions and improve community stability and health.04052:00 pm<p>Counties are directing resources to programs, practices and policies to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system, improve public safety, better serve residents with behavioral health conditions and improve communit
-
Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Lowering Recidivism through Jail- and Community-Based Treatment and Services
April 6, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmReducing recidivism through effective jail- and community-based services can decrease jail admissions and populations and improve outcomes for people with criminal histories.04062:00 pm<p>Reducing recidivism through effective jail- and community-based services can decrease jail admissions and populations and improve outcomes for people with criminal histories.</p>
-
Webinar
Strategies for Leveraging County Health Rankings Data to Improve Community Health
April 19, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmCounties play a key role in public health at the local level, as the conveners of multi-sector stakeholders, administrators of federal health-funding programs, like Medicaid, and providers of many crucial health services for residents.04192:00 pm<p>Counties play a key role in public health at the local level, as the conveners of multi-sector stakeholders, administrators of federal health-funding programs, like Medicaid, and providers of many crucial health services for residen
-
Basic page
The Stepping Up Initiative
In May 2015, NACo and partners at the CSG Justice Center and APA Foundation launched Stepping Up: A National Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> -
Reports & Toolkits
COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse
The COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse features timely resources for counties, including allocation estimations, examples of county programs using federal coronavirus relief funds, the latest news and more.Reports & Toolkitsdocument03127:15 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="ad-block no-top-margin no-bullets">
<caption>Jump to Section</caption> -
Basic page
Live Healthy U.S. Counties
The National Association of Counties (NACo) Live Healthy Prescription, Health & Dental Discount Program is a NO-COST program available to all member counties.pagepagepage<h1>With <a id="naco" name="naco">NACo</a>, Saving Feels Better</h1>
-
Basic page
Justice & Public Safety Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including criminal justice planning, law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention, juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, emergency management, fire prevention and control, and civil disturbances.pagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including criminal justice planning, law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention, juvenile justice and delinquency preven
-
Reports & Toolkits
Opioid Solutions Center
NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.Reports & Toolkitsdocument10123:30 pmReports & Toolkits<p>NACo's Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.
Related News
-
BlogWebinar Recap: County Strategies to Recruit and Retain a Strong Behavioral Health WorkforceMar. 21, 2023
-
BlogCounty officials discuss harm reduction as a path forward through the overdose epidemicMar. 21, 2023
-
BlogNew CDC data reveals rates of poor mental health and suicidality on the rise for youth in the U.S.Mar. 8, 2023
Related Resources
-
Reports & ToolkitsPlanning Principles ToolkitMar. 6, 2023
-
DocumentThe Principles Quick Guide to Conducting a Needs AssessmentFeb. 27, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsThe County Role In Long-Term CareFeb. 24, 2023
Related Events
-
5Apr2023Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
6Apr2023Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Lowering Recidivism through Jail- and Community-Based Treatment and Services
Apr. 6, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
19Apr2023Webinar
Strategies for Leveraging County Health Rankings Data to Improve Community Health
Apr. 19, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Upcoming Events
-
29Mar2023Webinar
County Strategies to Provide Supportive Housing for Familiar Faces
Mar. 29, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
5Apr2023Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
6Apr2023Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Lowering Recidivism through Jail- and Community-Based Treatment and Services
Apr. 6, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
More From
-
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction Act
The IRA offers counties the opportunity to pursue clean energy initiatives and reduce emissions through new competitive grant programs, local resiliency investments and clean energy tax credits.
Learn More