This new guide explores how to engage people with lived experience in the criminal justice and behavioral health systems to advance policies and programming at this intersection. Written by a panel of people with lived experience, the guide emphasizes transparency, trust, and diverse representation as key considerations to ensure that engagement processes are effective; focuses on building reciprocal partnerships; and advocates for fair compensation and meaningful participation at all decision-making levels. The accompanying checklist details practical steps for organizations to establish a lived experience advisory panel, zooming in on implementing one method of engagement.

Congressional leaders demonstrated strong bipartisan support over the past several weeks for three key programs in FY 2025: the Second Chance Act, the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, and the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. These programs are designed to enhance public safety and diminish recidivism at local and state levels. Over the coming months, the CSG Justice Center will continue monitoring how these initiatives are funded in the FY25 appropriations cycle.

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have released a new guide, "Returning to the Community: Health Care After Incarceration." This guide supports people reentering their communities from incarceration by helping them better understand their health care needs and connect with services and coverage. It includes information on applying for insurance, using health coverage, accessing physical and behavioral health care, and supporting successful reentry and healthy living. 

Justice Counts is inviting members of the public, policymakers, and other stakeholders to review and provide feedback on the proposed Tier 2 Metrics during a public feedback period that ends on June 25. This feedback will help shape the final metrics, scheduled to be approved in 2024.  

The Justice Counts team will be hosting public information sessions, each with a specific focus, to provide an overview of the proposed Tier 2 Metrics and public feedback opportunity: 

• General Public Information Session: May 29 at 2 p.m. ET 
• Criminal Justice Practitioners Information Session: May 29 at 3 p.m. ET 
• Criminal Justice Policymakers Information Session: May 30 at 12 p.m. ET 
• Community Groups Information Session: May 30 at 1 p.m. ET 

Click Here to Register

Last week, the Small Business Administration (SBA) finalized a new rule that will remove restrictions on SBA loan programs that have acted as a barrier to access for people returning to their communities from incarceration and under supervision who are looking to start or grow a business. The SBA will also remove questions about individuals’ prior criminal history from loan applications.  

This webinar will feature an overview of the Criminal Justice-Mental Health Learning Sites Program, a national initiative offering peer-to-peer learning opportunities for agencies and jurisdictions interested in developing evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for people with behavioral health needs. The webinar will also highlight the newly launched website and how agencies can use it to request support directly from the learning sites.

May 29, 2024 

1:00–2:00 p.m. ET 

This webinar will discuss the innovative Community Corrections Mental Health Program and explore the establishment of mental health positions within probation and parole districts, the collaboration between mental health clinicians and probation officers, and lessons learned since the program's inception in 2017.

May 30, 2024 

2:00–3:30 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.