First Appearance | August 2024

First Appearance | August 2024

NewsletterFirst Appearance

Crisis Intervention and Community-Based Services

State legislatures are increasingly focused on building comprehensive crisis response systems to ensure that individuals in mental health crises have access to immediate support, appropriate care, and necessary resources, reducing justice system involvement.

Changing Juvenile Justice: How Candid Conversations Helped Shape Policy

In working on SB 200, the 2014 legislation that led to a major overhaul of Kentucky's juvenile justice system, Sen. Whitney Westerfield (R) says he and his colleagues spoke to a variety of stakeholder groups: judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and law enforcement officials among them. However, at NCSL's Legislative Summit, Westerfield credited taking the time to listen to youth advocates for pivotal changes in legislation.

Related: Juvenile Age of Jurisdiction and Transfer to Adult Court Laws

Law Enforcement in State Legislatures

Law enforcement, corrections officers and people in related public safety professions make up just under 4% of the 7,575 state lawmakers nationwide. Nearly half of these individuals served with local police departments while about a quarter served in sheriffs' offices. Learn more about how this professional experience has impacted lawmakers' service in statehouses across the country.

In the News

6 Essential Supports for Behavioral Health Crisis Responders

Cities and counties seeking to implement alternative response teams for mental health emergencies can support these efforts by improving other aspects of their crisis care systems, according to a recent report from the Texas-based Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. The analysis identifies six essential elements of a crisis care system that can aid multidisciplinary response teams.

Related: An Implementation Policy Brief on Multidisciplinary Response Teams

Sending Unarmed Responders Instead of Police: What We've Learned

There are more than 100 response teams across the country and more than half of the largest cities across the nation have teams. The key components of each team vary by location. This new Marshall Project piece covers what we know and what there still is to learn about these programs.

Related: The Legislative Primer Series on Front-End Justice: Deflection and Diversion

Albuquerque Shows a Way Forward for Cities Struggling to Solve Homicides

In Albuquerque, N.M., a new, integrated approach has allowed the police department to solve more homicides, even as national clearance rates have declined.

How States Can Support Coordination Between 988 and 911 Systems

States can play a key role in helping local jurisdictions coordinate 911 call centers and the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, according to a recent report from RAND, a nonprofit research organization. In examining interoperability, or how localities ensure formal processes and protocols are in place to transfer calls between the two systems, researchers also detail how states have been involved in this vital work.

The Cache

• Brennan Center for Justice: Bail Reform and Public Safety

• Wilson Center for Science and Justice: Finding Home: Removing Barriers to Housing for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

• NAMI: Trends in State Policy: 988 and Reimagining Crisis Response

• NACo: From Crisis to Solutions: Policy Catalysts for Improved Outcomes

How the Justice System Can Support Military Veterans

Policy changes can address lack of treatment options and heightened fraud threats, especially for those who served in combat.