On April 23 in Washington, D.C., the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance, along with the Treatment Advocacy Center, co-hosted a foundational convening to rethink how the legal system responds when mental illness and justice involvement intersect. The event, also sponsored by the CURESZ Foundation and the STARR Coalition, was the second in the 2026 Solution Session Series, Navigating the Justice System for Our Community.
You can read the full press release outlining the vision and scope of this effort:
This gathering helped shape the early framework of the National Mental Illness Justice Center—an all-access hub designed to equip communities with model legal standards, judicial education resources, policy reform guidance, and technical assistance. The goal was practical: to reduce harm caused by fragmented systems, prevent unnecessary incarceration, and strengthen pathways to stability and recovery.
This was not a traditional conference. It was a structured working session where policymakers, legal experts, clinicians, judges, attorneys, advocates, caregivers, and individuals with lived experience directly informed the Center’s founding priorities. What emerged was not just alignment—it was direction. Bringing together leaders across the justice and mental health landscape, the session produced a clear set of priority solutions to address the fragmentation, inefficiency, and harm experienced by individuals with serious mental illness in the legal system.
1 Constitution Ave NE,
Washington, DC 20002
1 Constitution Ave NE,
Washington, DC 20002
8:00–9:00 – Continental Breakfast
Atrium and Portico — 1st Floor
9:00–9:30 – Welcome Remarks
Minuteman Ballroom — 5th Floor
9:30–9:40 – Personal & Professional Reflections
9:45–10:00 – Survey Findings & Panel Reactions
10:00–11:00 – Perspectives of Justice and Injustice — Panel Discussion
Moderator:
Panelists:
11:00–11:20 – Break: Meet and Connect
Refreshments in Minuteman Ballroom — 5th Floor
11:20–11:25 – Breakout Sessions: Instructions
Minuteman Ballroom — 5th Floor
11:30–12:30 – Breakout Session 1: Resources for Navigating the Justice System
Minuteman Ballroom — 5th Floor
1:30–2:30 – Breakout Session 2: Policy & Systems Solutions
2:30–2:50 – Break: Meet and Connect
Refreshments in Minuteman Ballroom — 5th Floor
2:55–3:10 – Group Photo
Minuteman Ballroom — 5th Floor
3:15–4:15 – Action Plan: Justice Center Framework
4:15–4:30 – Final Remarks / Farewell
Ahead of the event, we encourage you to watch Ariel Snowden’s story, recently shared with S&PAA, which helps ground the conversation around the need for a Justice Center
On April 23 in Washington, D.C., the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance along with the CURESZ Foundation and the Treatment Advocacy Center are co-hosting a foundational convening to reinvent how the legal system responds when mental illness and justice involvement intersect. The event is the second of our 2026 Solution Session Series, Navigating the Justice System for Our Community.
You can read the full press release outlining the vision and scope of this effort:
This gathering will help shape the early framework of the National Mental Illness Justice Center–an all-access hub designed to equip communities with model legal standards, judicial education resources, policy reform guidance, and technical assistance. The goal is practical: reduce harm caused by fragmented systems, prevent unnecessary incarceration, and strengthen pathways to stability and recovery.
This is not a traditional conference. It is a structured working session where policymakers, legal experts, clinicians, judges, attorneys, advocates, caregivers, and individuals with lived experience will directly inform the Center’s founding priorities.
For more information, please contact erica.tingler@sczaction.org or anne.pappas@sczaction.org
