Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCC) Resource Hub
Counties leading the way in advancing their administration of criminal justice generally have one common denominator—a formalized body to provide input and direction to county decision makers for the improvement of their criminal legal system. Often these are referred to as a criminal justice coordinating council (“CJCC”). NACo's CJCC resource hub provides valuable information for counties working toward developing their own CJCC or looking to strengthen an existing CJCC.
This hub was developed in partnership with the National Criminal Justice Association.
Resource
Unlock the Power of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils: Enhance Your County's Justice System
Unlock the Power of CJCCs: Enhancing Your County's Justice System
Whether you're looking to create a CJCC from scratch or enhance an existing one, discover the invaluable insights needed to make your county's justice system more efficient, fair and just.
Unlock the Power of CJCCs: Responsive Policies Through Community Engagement
In this webinar, NACo explores how ongoing and consistent community engagement enhances the impact of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCCs) and how these bodies can serve as effective tools for county leaders to actively involve their residents. Learn from real-world examples and discover strategies to create a more responsive and inclusive criminal legal system.
Unlock the Power of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils: Enhance Your County's Justice System
Balancing public safety with innovative and cost-effective policies and programs can reduce over-reliance on jails and other aspects of the local justice system when alternative options may prove to be a better response.
Partner Resources
National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
Developed by the National Institute of Corrections, the National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils is a comprehensive framework for the formation and ongoing management of criminal justice coordinating councils (CJCCs). These standards represent the accumulation of practical knowledge on CJCCs, and they outline practices and protocols deemed highly effective in operating a high-functioning council.
Guidelines for Developing a Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
This document provides guidelines for establishing a local criminal justice coordinating committee (CJCC). It describes CJCCs and provides specific guidance for their development and operation.
CJCC Essential Elements: A Companion to the National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
This companion publication to the National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils describes each essential element and key factors that indicate the presence of the element. This publication provides a checklist for CJCCs, along with a CJCC essential elements assessment tool. Both the checklist and the essential elements assessment tool are designed to assist jurisdictions seeking to form a CJCC, by providing a framework of effective practices. For jurisdictions with an existing CJCC, the essential elements assessment tool serves as an instrument for assessing the health and effectiveness of their council.
CJCC Document Examples and Templates
This National Institute of Corrections webpage links to examples and templates of key CJCC documents including bylaws, charters, meeting agendas and memorandums of understanding.
National Network of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
Administered by the Justice Management Institute (JMI), the National Network of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (NNCJCC) empowers CJCCs to drive positive change through knowledge sharing, advocacy and innovation. It advocates for CJCC directors leading systemic initiatives and serves as a resource for jurisdictions looking to establish or sustain an effective CJCC.
National Survey of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
This publication presents findings from a national survey of criminal justice coordinating council (CJCC) directors and members. It is one of a series of publications aimed at enhancing the literature about CJCCs and highlighting their purpose and value in shaping local justice systems.
County Countdown – April 21, 2025
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. This week features the ARPA reporting deadline, a budget reconciliation update and more
U.S. House reintroduces legislation to address the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy
Two bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) were recently reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
FEMA halts disaster mitigation grant program
On April 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it will not allocate $750 million this year for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. According to the press release, FEMA will also stop funding BRIC projects that were previously approved and are still underway.
Counties support youth with a second chance opportunity
A Riverside County, Calif. supervisor took experiences from his former life as a teacher to help create a program that serves students who had gone the juvenile justice system and were looking for a second chance.
NACo Legal Advocacy: Bondi v. VanDerStok
Garland v. VanDerStok has implications for the ability of county law enforcement to uphold public safety and investigate crimes involving ghost guns.
White House signs executive order examining state and local preparedness
On March 18, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at aligning federal preparedness and response doctrines, while examining state and local preparedness capabilities. The order does not shift any responsibilities or costs to state and local governments, rather producing a set of recommendations for better collaboration across all levels of government.
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