About

The Stepping Up initiative supports local jurisdictions in establishing and reaching measurable goals that demonstrate reduced prevalence of serious mental illness across the justice system.

The Problem
Why behavioral health needs are prevalent in local justice systems

The Solution
How Stepping Up is reducing the overincarceration of people with behavioral health needs

Successes
See highlights from across the country

Team
Meet the partnership

Get in Touch
Stay connected with Stepping Up
Explore

Explore resources and supports available to jurisdictions through Stepping Up.

Get Started
Understand the foundations of the Stepping Up approach

Explore by Topic/Resource
Search our resource library for what your county needs

Discover Local Strategies
Strategy Lab: Explore the tools that other jurisdictions have used to find success

Assess Your Progress
Evaluate the status of your implementation efforts

Find Support Opportunities
Access tailored assistance
The Latest

Check out the latest updates from the Stepping Up team and partners.

Local Updates
Stay informed about news and insights from the field
Take Action

Stepping Up asks communities to come together to develop an action plan that can be used to achieve measurable impact in local criminal justice systems of all sizes across the country.

Join Stepping Up
Sign a county resolution

Sign On to a Call to Action
Work toward a common goal

Become a Local Advocate
Urge your local officials to take action

Find Help
Get connected to mental health support

Explore » Find Support Opportunities

Find Support Opportunities

Counties participating in Stepping Up can receive a variety of resources tailored to their unique local needs.

State Support Centers

Several states have invested in state-based technical assistance to support local efforts to reduce the prevalence of people with mental illness in jails. 

Kansas Stepping Up Technical Assistance Center
Pennsylvania Stepping Up Technical Assistance Center
Ohio Stepping Up

Individual County Support

We offer jurisdictions a unique approach to develop tailored, data-driven plans to help reduce the prevalence of mental illnesses in their jails. Learn more by reaching out to us at [email protected].