Community Engagement: Planning and Ongoing Support for Community Responder Programs

Hosted by The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center and Vital Strategies

Leaders around the country have begun to reckon with racial injustice and consider how to reimagine public safety in their jurisdictions. Communities are discussing how to center racial justice in public safety, who should respond to what type of incidents, and how community members can support each other in thinking through the best local options. This event will feature three leaders who have been involved in developing community crisis responses for people who have behavioral health needs and are experiencing housing instability or poverty that might typically involve them in the criminal legal system. Speakers from Atlanta’s Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative and Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department will discuss their community responder programs and how they have thoughtfully kept the community updated on implementation.

Speakers:

• Moki Macias, Executive Director, Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative
• Mariela Ruiz-Angel, Coordinator, Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Department
• Sarah Wurzburg, Program Director, Behavioral Health, the CSG Justice Center