Strategic Initiatives Unit

This webinar explores the critical challenges faced by tribal populations during the post-incarceration and post-treatment reentry and reintegration process. We will examine issues such as cultural disconnection, limited access to resources, systemic discrimination and stigma, substance use disorders (SUDs), co-occurring mental health issues, and other significant barriers.

NCJA’s Innovation Labs bring together state administering agency (SAA) staff and stakeholders from across the country to brainstorm solutions to common challenges, discuss promising practices and develop recommendations. The purpose of the Supporting Behavioral Health and Crisis Response Initiatives Innovation Lab was to provide working sessions to discuss resource development, best and promising practices, and program implementation for supporting behavioral health and crisis response initiatives and engaging with relevant stakeholders and partners.

The Alabama SAA's office reached out asking for support in identifying their funding priority areas for JAG. With their guidance, we developed, helped administer, and analyzed a survey for them that highlighted potential priority areas after administering the survey to a wide array of stakeholders.

Provided direct TTA to Kentucky SAA's office as they requested support around identifying priorities for JAG funding for the upcoming year. We worked with them to write, conduct, and analyze a survey to help them in this effort.

FY24 Q3 Engagement Activities Reporting Cycle Summary

Met and corresponded with grantee 5 times between April and June, 2024 on 4/9, 4/10, 4/25, 5/16, and 5/30, in addition to invites to participate in grantee cohort calls

Summary of Successes

Highly skilled team
Good community and law enforcement working relationships
Working with the state CIT training team to also provide their own program training to law enforcement
Summary of Challenges

Working with Oregon administrators at the SAA to provide technical assistance in development of their Byrne JAG Strategic Plan

Designing and administering a survey for Colorado to distribute to partners in order to identify criminal justice priorities related to Byrne JAG Strategic Planning.

Recognizing the overlap between behavioral health (mental health and substance use disorders) and the criminal justice system, State Administering Agencies (SAAs) are increasingly looking to support programs and initiatives related to behavioral health and crisis response. In the early 2000s, Dr. Mark Munetz and Dr. Patricia A. Griffin along with Dr. Henry J. Steadman of Policy Research Associates, Inc. developed the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM).

FY24 Q2 Engagement Activities Reporting Cycle Summary

Met and corresponded with grantee 3 times between January and March of 2024 on 1/23, 2/29, 3/20, in addition to invites to participate in grantee cohort calls

Summary of Successes

CHJ staff and Hope assisted in organizing and presenting at their annual convening

In addition to the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Statewide Survey, an analysis was created to thoroughly assess the data and responses of the 433 survey participants. This survey was unique because the state sought input from residents, individuals with lived experience, as well as system partners and community-based organizations. The Rhode Island SAA aims to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that addresses a wide range of issues within the state.