Rural Justice Collaborative

Rural communities face unique challenges that impact their ability to deliver fair and equitable justice. Despite these challenges, rural communities rely on their many strengths to address the needs of their residents. The National Center for State Courts, in partnership with Rulo Strategies, launched the Rural Justice Collaborative (RJC) to showcase the strengths of rural communities and highlight the cross-sector collaboration that is a hallmark of rural justice systems. The RJC concentrates on the following areas of focus: - Increasing access to behavioral health treatment - Reducing victimization - Facilitating employment and educational opportunities - Eliminating barriers of access to justice - Reducing incarceration and recidivism - Facilitating re-entry - Reducing the number of children in foster care due to familial substance use The work under the RJC is supported by a cross-sector advisory council composed of rural judges along with additional stakeholders in the justice, child welfare, and behavioral health systems. The advisory council will guide the multi-year initiative and identify innovative programs and practices.