Expanding First Response National Commission: Enhancing and Sustaining Community Responder Programs for States

• In Event: Perspectives on Non-criminal Justice Responses and Interventions

Abstract

As community responder programs become more prevalent, the number of state-level officials interested in expanding first response through community responder programs is growing. State-level leaders need simple and clear guidance on how to support local community responder programs. To address this need, the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center reassembled our national commission focused on community response. This commission consisted of returning members from the initial commission and new members and represented a diverse cross-section of community responder programs, researchers, advocates, and policymakers nationwide. Using consensus-building methods, the commissioners met twice a month for three months to create simple and clear guidance on how state-level leaders can support community responder programs through sustainable funding, workforce development, coordinated dispatch, data sharing, and robust partnerships. These recommendations will soon be published and disseminated via easily digestible factsheets. Presenters will discuss the process of establishing the commission and identifying the recommendations, and will review the recommendations for state leaders. The presenters will conclude with a question-and-answer session and actionable recommendations for funders, policymakers, educators/researchers, and other people who want to support community responder programs.

Authors

• Mari Bayer, CSG Justice Center

• Anne Larsen, CSG Justice Center