County Juvenile Justice Innovation Network
NACo’s County Juvenile Justice Innovation Network (CJJIN) aims to increase the practical understanding and capacity of counties to address the needs of youth involved in their local juvenile justice systems. NACo will facilitate a network that will learn about innovative practices and evidence-based resources to inform a strategic action plan that invests in the well-being and future of the youth within their community.
Counties selected for the network will have the opportunity to be featured in resources highlighting county-led innovation in youth justice. All resources related to youth justice will be part of the forthcoming CJJIN Resource Hub and will be updated on this page.
This project is funded in whole through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this Web site (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).
Apply Now!
Applications are open for the second CJJIN cohort! Please join us for an optional informational Teams call on Jan. 7, 2025, from 3-4 pm ET. Applications are due on Jan. 17, 2025, using this form. Questions can be directed to Meg Siwek, msiwek@naco.org.
About the Cohort
CJJIN is a nine-month opportunity for county teams to engage both virtually and in-person to share challenges and successes, learn from national and local experts and exchange ideas to empower youth and improve local outcomes.
Each cohort supports a community of practice for up to five counties to identify challenges, strategies and an action plan to better support youth by strengthening county juvenile justice systems. Counties participating in the network will identify a core team of up to four champions working across youth-serving systems to join in-person CJJIN activities but are encouraged to invite additional stakeholders that can support the implementation of their strategic action plan.
The inaugural cohort concluded in November 2024 and included the following counties:
- Boone County, Mo.
- Charleston County, S.C.
- Cumberland County, N.C.
- Lancaster County, Neb.
- Martin County, N.C.
The incoming cohort will have the opportunity to engage with these teams as part of the broader network and learn from their work on topics like forming a juvenile justice coordinating council and a youth advisory council, utilizing evidence-based assessment tools, improving data sharing capacity and developing community awareness of youth services.
NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing
Counties increasingly handle direct mental health services, acting as the safety net for vulnerable residents and operating crisis lines, hospitals and detention centers. NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing unites county leaders to address the mental health crisis through four key policy priorities.
County Officials Advancing Racial Equity (CORE) Justice Network
The County Officials Advancing Racial Equity Justice Network is a group of 15 county officials working to drive change in the criminal legal system. The cohort focuses on addressing racial inequality from the county perspective, exploring policies, practices, and programs to identify and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities.