Building Federal Advocacy Infrastructure Led by Systems-Impacted Leaders
Opportunity
JLUSA launched the JustUs Coordinating Council (JUCC), a leadership hub led by people impacted by the criminal legal system, to amplify their advocacy for federal policy change in 2023.
Internal Framework: Leadership, Culture & Organizational Alignment
Purpose & Alignment: Clarified JUCC’s role aligning with JLUSA’s mission to refine federal economic and criminal legal reform policies.
Leadership & Culture: Elevated leadership by directly impacted individuals and fostered community-led governance norms.
Accountability & Organizational Health: Co-designed processes and feedback loops ensuring authentic council member engagement.
Infrastructure & Operations: Established foundational policy and advocacy infrastructure aligned with research and strategies.
Insight & Evidence Use: Led original data collection and produced research-driven federal policy reports.
External Framework: Advancing Systems & Policy Change
Power Building & Coalition Organizing: Positioned JUCC as a national coalition hub empowering impacted communities’ voice.
Policy Development & Strategy: Crafted federal congressional and agency engagement strategies informed by evidence and lived experience.
Narrative & Strategic Communications: Developed narratives elevating directly impacted leadership for systemic justice.
Policy Implementation & Accountability: Designed accountability systems linking advocacy efforts with policymaker engagement.
Insight & Evidence Use: Generated landmark reports anchoring advocacy with data and analysis.
Advocacy & Government Relations: Engaged directly with federal legislators and agencies to elevate JUCC’s policy priorities.
Key Deliverables
Foundational advocacy infrastructure for JUCC
Two flagship “Building the Table” research reports
Co-created congressional and agency advocacy strategies
National positioning as leaders in federal criminal legal reform advocacy