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

Our Framework
The foundation of the Stepping Up approach

Our Impact
The first—and next—10 years of Stepping Up

Our Team
Meet the partners
The Latest

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

Resources
Explore by type and issue

News
Stepping Up in the news

Events
Opportunities to learn and connect
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

Become an Innovator County
Complete a brief survey

Create a Technical Assistance Center
Help counties join and implement Stepping Up

Launch Stepping Up for Youth
Adapt the framework for a younger population

The Counties Join Our List

It's been a decade since we launched Stepping Up. Read about the initiative's impact—and future.

Tool

Archive

Share Your County Stories: Celebrating 10 Years of Stepping Up

Come Be Part of NACo’s Efforts to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illness in Jails

Reducing the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jail

IMJusticeBH Survey

Counties are encouraged to complete this survey for a research study that will draw generalizable lessons that can be used for criminal justice and mental health implementation efforts. Read More

“Set, Measure, Achieve” Progress Survey

This survey is intended to help counties track and determine their progress within the initiative. Read More