The Stepping Up Initiative

The Stepping Up Initiative is a collaborative effort to reduce the number of people in jails who have mental health issues. It helps local governments and agencies improve how they identify, support, and connect individuals with mental illnesses to appropriate treatment and services instead of unnecessary incarceration. The goal is to create a more effective, humane criminal justice system that addresses mental health needs while ensuring public safety. By sharing best practices and data, the initiative aims to transform how communities handle mental health cases within the justice system.