Building Federal Advocacy Infrastructure Led by Systems-Impacted Leaders
Opportunity
Just Leadership USA (JLUSA) launched the JustUs Coordinating Council (JUCC) as a national leadership hub comprised of individuals directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
The initiative aimed to strengthen federal advocacy efforts by centering lived experience, while building the infrastructure needed to engage effectively with policymakers and influence systems change.
Our Approach
We partnered with JLUSA to clarify the Council’s role, design foundational structures, and support the development of strategies that connect lived experience with federal policy influence.
Our work focused on:
- Defining purpose, positioning, and leadership structure
- Building advocacy infrastructure grounded in lived experience
- Developing strategies to engage federal policymakers
What We Did
Strategic Direction & Role Clarity
- Clarified the role of the JustUs Coordinating Council within JLUSA’s broader strategy
- Aligned priorities around federal economic and criminal legal reform
Leadership & Governance Design
- Designed and supported governance processes centered on directly impacted leadership
- Co-designed structures and feedback loops to ensure meaningful member engagement
Advocacy Infrastructure & Strategy
- Established foundational infrastructure to support federal advocacy efforts
- Developed congressional and agency engagement strategies informed by research and lived experience
Research & Evidence Development
- Led original data collection and analysis to inform policy priorities
- Produced research-driven reports to support advocacy efforts
What Changed
The JustUs Coordinating Council established a clearer role within JLUSA’s federal advocacy strategy
Foundational structures were put in place to support sustained engagement with policymakers Directly impacted leaders were more clearly positioned to shape federal policy conversations
Research and lived experience were more directly integrated to inform advocacy strategy
Key Deliverables
Foundational advocacy infrastructure for the Coordinating Council
Two flagship “Building the Table” research reports
Congressional and federal agency engagement strategies
Systems and processes supporting ongoing advocacy coordination