This article from Governing covers the work and diverse perspectives of the CSG Justice Center’s Expanding First Response Commission. The commission, which recently released its Emerging Practices to Elevate and Replicate Community Responder Programs Nationwide report, is composed of public safety leaders, first responders, community advocates, and other national experts working on establishing community responder programs that respond to crisis calls that do not require an armed officer. 

Over the past several years, Stepping Up has worked to center racial equity as a pillar of its goal to reduce the overincarceration of people with behavioral health needs. The Stepping Up team is collaborating with multiple counties to identify key strategies to advance racial equity, reduce existing disparities, and evaluate opportunities for growth in this work. Informed by these initial efforts, our new brief provides counties with lessons learned from the field to offer both practical strategies and a hopeful reminder that small steps can turn into strong strides for a lasting impact. 

Pursuing policy that sits at the intersection of housing and criminal justice is more critical than ever. To help jurisdictions address this pressing issue, the CSG Justice Center is sharing several resources and guides to assist partners in taking actionable steps toward policy change. One approach includes police-mental health collaborations, which can lead to successful reintegration and end homelessness among people returning to their communities after incarceration.

The Medicaid and Corrections Policy Academy will bring together teams of senior executive agency leaders from four to six states to develop multi-sector collaborative planning to leverage Medicaid for improving reentry outcomes for people in the justice system who have complex needs. During this applicant information session, state leaders will have an opportunity to learn more about the Policy Academy, ask questions about the application process, and discuss the value of building a shared language across corrections, behavioral health, and Medicaid. Click here to register!

July 17, 2024

2:00–3:00 p.m. ET

In this webinar, participants will learn about the Expanding First Response assessment tool for communities and organizations that primarily serve Spanish-speaking populations that seek to better understand and adopt community responder programs. By investing in community responder programs, communities can transform their approach to public safety. The lack of information available to Spanish-speaking communities is a barrier to implementing community responder programs, which are crucial for improving outcomes for people with serious mental illness and enhancing public safety. Click here to register!

July 23, 2024

1:00–2:30 p.m. ET

Youth nationwide face rising mental health issues, absenteeism, community violence, and victimization. Join us for a webinar aimed at refocusing the juvenile justice system to prioritize serious offenses, optimizing resource allocation for public safety, and developing state plans to support vulnerable youth. Click here to register!  

July 29, 2024 

12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Interested in learning more about the work of the CSG Justice Center? Check out our other newsletters and subscribe to gain access to resources and up-to-date information.