Launched in partnership with The Council for State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, CPE's Elected Leaders Council brings together state and local elected officials nationwide and helps participants work collaboratively to develop strategies to enact and sustain reforms, fund initiatives, and receive support, including help identifying validators to help support initiatives in their communities. The council’s work culminates with assistance in introducing innovative public safety policies in their respective jurisdictions.
The alternative policing strategies developed by the Elected Leaders Council parallel the community-led efforts emerging from CPE and the CSG Justice Center’s Learning Communities for Policing Alternatives. Our involvement in this vital effort is part of our community empowerment program, Unlocking Democracy, a suite of community-centered resources rooted in the understanding that government of, by, and for the people rests on a foundation of shared responsibility, mutual trust, and bedrock safety.
Registration is now open! Our Spring 2024 cohort sessions will focus on topics related to police traffic reform, including the Community Violence Intervention Ecosystem, Changing the Narrative & Mindsets, Innovative Campaigns: Elected Officials Spotlight on Community Violence Intervention, and Funding the Community Violence Intervention Ecosystem. Learn more about Elected Leaders Council eligibility, requirements, and how to join below.
Upcoming Council Sessions
The Community Violence Intervention EcosystemThis session will concentrate on specific CVI approaches and how elected officials can implement these strategies by emphasizing the significance of cross-sector collaborations with trusted partners. These partnerships are crucial for strategic planning and the development of coordinated intervention and prevention initiatives, targeting high-risk individuals and areas, along with addressing root causes of violence. Session Date |
Changing the Narrative & MindsetsElected officials are in a unique position to advance and support CVI, which are proven to promote strong community safety outcomes, but often face the need to balance innovative community-led approaches with narratives around public safety, public sentiment, media scrutiny, and political pressure. This session will provide elected officials examples of how other jurisdictions have framed CVI as a critical resource for keeping their community safe. Session Date |
Innovative Campaigns: Elected Officials Spotlight on Community Violence InterventionJoin us as we shine a spotlight on elected officials who are leading the charge in innovative campaigns within the CVI space. In this engaging session, we will explore how these forward-thinking leaders are pushing boundaries, implementing creative strategies, and are significantly reducing community violence. Session Date |
Funding the Community Violence Intervention EcosystemGiven the increased allocation of federal funds for communities to implement CVI strategies, this session aims to present a comprehensive overview of various funding channels. We will discuss the on-the-ground process of accessing and managing diverse funding sources and how practitioners believe elected officials can and should support this work. The session will conclude with concrete ways elected officials can support funding for CVI programs in their jurisdictions. Session Date COMING SOON |
HOW TO JOIN
Elected officials and staff members of elected officials are invited to apply to join our Elected Leaders Council. Interested participants must be dedicated to listening deeply, working collaboratively with others, and cultivating peer-to-peer learnings based on trust, justice, and equity.
Participating members should be willing to reflect on what they hear during the council meetings and share this feedback with their community. Members are encouraged, but not required to, participate in all Elected Leaders Council sessions and will be asked to contribute, collaborate, and help advise on legislative strategies that will be widely shared as we continue to build local, state, and federal support for alternative programs to traditional policing nationwide.
Contact us to learn more about our Elected Leaders Council or other opportunities to receive assistance in piloting alternatives to law enforcement in your community.
Submission of this application form is not confirmation of participation in a future Elected Leaders Council cohort. CPE will follow up with all interested participants following the completion of this form. You can also learn more about the CSG Justice Center's alternative response work here.
See what participants are saying about their experience with the Elected Leaders Council:
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" I'm proud to be part of the Elected Leaders Council to connect with peers who are driving alternative response work in our communities. This initiative will help plant the seeds for new approaches to public safety that I plan to bring to my work in my district. " – Phara Souffrant Forrest, New York State Assemblymember |
" Our office was humbled to present and honored to meet similar-minded elected officials. When crafting Driving Equality in Philadelphia—the success came from the ability to collaborate with partners across the city. With Elected Leaders Council, we are excited to join in a similarly collaborative and equity-focused process with partners across the country. " – Max Weisman, Communications Director for Philadelphia Councilmember Isaiah Thomas |
" The Elected Leaders Council is an innovative way to connect and share ideas for true public safety with elected officials from across the country. The program uses a community-centered approach and will help plant the seeds for tangible reform. " – Crystal Hudson, New York City Councilmember |