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 best 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 case studies highlighting innovation and lessons learned, a series of briefs on best practices and implementation and a webinar series. All resources related to CJJIN will be part of the forthcoming CJJIN Resource Hub and will be updated on this page.
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, exchange ideas with other counties to achieve program and policy change that empowers and improves youth outcomes.
CJJIN will support 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 cohort includes five county teams committed to working collaboratively to achieve program and policy change that improves youth outcomes. Participating counties are:
- Boone County, Mo.
- Charleston County, S.C.
- Cumberland County, N.C.
- Lancaster County, Neb.
- Martin County, N.C.
Application for Cohort Two Open in Fall 2024
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).
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.
Understanding New Medicaid and CHIP Requirements for Youth in Detention: What Counties Need to Know
Join us for an in-depth webinar on the latest guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding Medicaid and CHIP services for youth detained in public institutions. Effective January 1, 2025, these mandated changes, stemming from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, require states to amend their Medicaid and CHIP plans to provide essential medical, dental and case management services for eligible youth, before and after release. Learn how these changes will impact county jails and how counties can collaborate with state health officials to ensure compliance and secure federal support.
Bridging Gaps: Collaborative Strategies for Supporting Youth Reentry Through Medicaid
Join the National Association of Medicaid Directors and NACo for a deep dive into CMS’s latest guidance on extending Medicaid and CHIP services to incarcerated youth. This policy shift opens up new opportunities for state and county partnerships to ensure continuous healthcare coverage for young people in the justice system. Discover practical approaches for collaboration between Medicaid agencies and county jails to facilitate successful enrollment, improve health outcomes, and support youths’ transitions back into the community. This session will include insights from county health leaders, best practices for cross-system coordination, and strategies for leveraging federal support to enhance service delivery.