Media Contacts:
Tyler Sinclair: (216) 263-4545; tsinclair01@cuyahogacounty.us

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – The National Association of Counties (NACo) has selected Cuyahoga County to participate together with other select counties around the country in Convening County, Court & Justice Leaders: A Framework for Cross-System Collaboration – a new, national initiative aimed at prioritizing collaboration between county and court leaders to help them align resources and achieve their public safety goals. The initiative is also supported by Rulo Strategies and Praxis Consulting, with funding from the State Justice Institute.

“We recognize the need to improve our criminal justice system. To further our efforts to improve criminal justice, we partnered with the Courts, Prosecutor, and others to apply to NACo to participate in this national program,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. “We are grateful that NACo has selected us for this new initiative, as this collaborative plan will help us prioritize strategies, focus resources, and implement solutions to improve our justice system. Through this targeted approach, we will also readily connect more residents with services and get them the help they need.”

The initiative will provide various forms of support, including:

• A liaison assigned to each county selected
  • The liaison will coordinate meetings between initiative participants, consultants, and other stakeholders where technical assistance will be provided to address gaps and identify opportunities to improve each county’s current systems and processes
  • Guidance will be provided on how participants can leverage federal funds to achieve their objectives
  • A concrete implementation plan will be constructed by the end of the initiative that addresses each county’s top priorities
• Cross-site peer exchange learning sessions
  • NACo will host three sessions for the select counties to facilitate information-sharing and collaboration between jurisdictions
  • Initiative participants will be able to share best practices, policies, and evidence-based approaches to multiple justice-related programs such as diversion, reentry, and violence intervention

“As Judges, we see firsthand the crimes being committed with guns and the impact gun violence has on victims and the community,” said Administrative and Presiding Judge Brendan J. Sheehan. “I look forward to working with all of the stakeholders in Cuyahoga County to develop strategies that will directly impact the safety of our citizens. I am grateful to the National Association of Counties and the State Justice Institute for their support in these efforts.”

The project will be led by the County Executive’s Office and Common Pleas Court, in partnership with the County Prosecutor’s Office and other local agencies involved in the criminal justice system. Partners will meet every four to six weeks. The initiative will commence in February and run through the end of 2022.