The recipient entity's physical address:
           100 LAfayette St
RM B248
Baton Rouge, LA 70801

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           100 LAfayette St
RM B248
Baton Rouge, LA 70801

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  5765

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $210,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           CJCC Executive Director
Christopher Csonka – 100 Lafayette St. RM B248 Baton Rouge, LA 70801

CJCC Board members
Judge Don Johnson – 300 North Blvd Ste. 8401, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Jennifer Carwile – 8202 Kelwood Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
John Spain – 912 E. Main St., New Roads, LA 70760
Kyla Blanchard-Romanach – 222 St. Louis Street, 7th Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Brandi Littles Lawrence – 223 St. Louis St., 2nd floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Sid Edwards – 222 Saint Louis Street, 3rd Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Sid Gautreaux – 8900 Jimmy Wedell Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70807
Judge Gail Grover – 8333 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70807
Warden Catherine Fontenot – 2867 Brig Gen Isaac Smith Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70807
Judge Yvette Alexander – 233 St Louis St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Chris Meyer – Rivermark Centre, 451 Florida Street, Suite LL 100, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Hillar Moore – 222 St Louis St Suite 550, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Dianna Payton – 8120 Kelwood Ave. Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Chief Thomas Morse – 9000 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70815
Michael Mitchell – 301 Main Street, Suite 700, Baton Rouge, LA 70825
Jennifer Racca – 222 Saint Louis Street, Room 358, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) respectfully requests financial support to advance two statewide initiatives: the Louisiana Public Safety Summit and the Louisiana Network for Criminal Justice (LNCJ). Together, these efforts will strengthen collaboration, promote data-driven policy, and improve safety and fairness across Louisiana’s justice system.
Purpose and Vision
Public safety and justice reform are shared priorities that transcend politics and geography. Louisiana’s justice system faces ongoing challenges—rising costs, court backlogs, high recidivism, and limited access to treatment and diversion. The Summit and LNCJ will unite leaders from every region to develop practical, coordinated solutions that improve outcomes, reduce waste, and enhance community trust.
Louisiana Public Safety Summit
The Annual Louisiana Public Safety Summit convenes policymakers, justice professionals, and community partners. The event will serve as Louisiana’s premier forum for collaboration and evidence-based innovation.
Hosted by the CJCC, the Summit features national speakers, interactive workshops, and breakout sessions on:
• Reducing violent crime through prevention and intervention;
• Expanding diversion and recovery programs;
• Supporting officer wellness and community trust;
• Strengthening pretrial and reentry systems;
• Using data to guide public safety investments.
Participants include sheriffs, judges, district attorneys, corrections officials, service providers, and lawmakers. The Summit produces shared policy goals, practical toolkits, and a roadmap for continued coordination through the Louisiana Network for Criminal Justice.
Louisiana Network for Criminal Justice (LNCJ)
The LNCJ serves as a statewide platform linking local CJCCs, agencies, and stakeholders to exchange information, track performance, and replicate successful programs. The Network builds capacity at the local level while promoting consistency and transparency statewide.
Key functions will include:
• A shared data and resource platform;
• Quarterly policy briefings and training sessions;
• Support for new or developing CJCCs;
• Collaboration with universities and state agencies;
• Tracking statewide reform outcomes and best practices.
Through the LNCJ, Louisiana will create the infrastructure needed to sustain long-term justice improvements—aligning local innovation with statewide priorities.
Funding Request and Impact
Funding will support the 2026 and 2027 Public Safety Summit and the continuation of the LNCJ. Core expenses include venue and logistics, technology and communication systems, coordination staff, and resource development.
Investment in these initiatives will produce measurable benefits:
• Lower incarceration costs through expanded diversion and reentry efforts;
• Improved coordination among agencies and service providers;
• Increased efficiency in courts and pretrial processes;
• Stronger, safer communities built on transparency and collaboration.
By connecting practitioners and policymakers statewide, these projects will transform isolated reform efforts into a unified, data-informed movement for safer, fairer justice in Louisiana.
Conclusion
The Louisiana Public Safety Summit and the Louisiana Network for Criminal Justice represent a forward-looking, collaborative approach to strengthening public safety. With support, these initiatives will establish the partnerships, tools, and systems needed to make Louisiana a national model for effective, community-centered justice.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $50,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $120,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $20,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $20,000

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is a collaborative, interagency body dedicated to improving the efficiency, fairness, and effectiveness of the criminal justice system in East Baton Rouge Parish and throughout Louisiana. Its public purpose is to reduce unnecessary justice system involvement, enhance public safety, and promote equitable outcomes for all residents. By leveraging state funds, the CJCC seeks to support initiatives that improve system coordination, reduce recidivism, and optimize the use of public resources.
The CJCC achieves its mission by facilitating strategic planning, data-driven decision-making, and collaboration across law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment providers, and community organizations. Its efforts focus on identifying and addressing gaps in services, implementing evidence-based programs, and ensuring that criminal justice policies and practices are both effective and efficient.
Through these initiatives, the CJCC aims to reduce jail populations safely, improve court efficiency, and provide alternatives that address underlying causes of criminal behavior, such as substance use and mental health challenges. The council also promotes transparency, accountability, and public trust by monitoring program outcomes, sharing data across agencies, and engaging with community partners to ensure that policies reflect community needs and values.
State monies support the CJCC’s ability to implement strategic initiatives such as public safety summits and the Louisiana Network for Criminal Justice (LNCJ) that foster statewide knowledge sharing. By funding these programs, the state helps the CJCC create sustainable improvements that enhance public safety, reduce costs associated with incarceration, and improve outcomes for individuals and communities affected by the justice system.
Ultimately, the CJCC’s use of state funds serves the public interest by ensuring that the criminal justice system operates efficiently, equitably, and effectively. Through evidence-based programming, cross-agency coordination, and community engagement, the CJCC works to prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and enhance the quality of life in East Baton Rouge while serving as a model for statewide collaboration and innovation.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The goals and objectives of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) are designed to achieve its public purpose of improving public safety, enhancing system efficiency, and promoting equitable justice outcomes. These goals focus on reducing unnecessary justice system involvement, lowering recidivism, and ensuring that resources are used effectively to serve the community.
Goal 1: Improve System Coordination and Efficiency
• Objective 1.1: Facilitate collaboration among law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment providers, and community organizations.
• Objective 1.2: Identify and address service gaps to prevent duplication of effort and reduce system delays.
• Objective 1.3: Implement evidence-based policies and practices to improve decision-making and case outcomes.
Goal 2: Reduce Recidivism and Support Rehabilitation
• Objective 2.1: Expand access to diversion programs and alternatives to incarceration for eligible individuals.
• Objective 2.2: Develop and coordinate reentry and recovery services, including employment, housing, and treatment programs.
• Objective 2.3: Promote interventions targeting underlying causes of criminal behavior, such as substance use and mental health challenges.
Goal 3: Enhance Public Safety and Community Well-Being
• Objective 3.1: Implement strategies to reduce crime and protect high-risk populations.
• Objective 3.2: Support problem-solving courts and community-based initiatives that address specific local public safety needs.
• Objective 3.3: Engage the public and stakeholders to ensure transparency, accountability, and community trust in the justice system.
Goal 4: Promote Data-Driven Decision Making
• Objective 4.1: Collect and analyze system-wide data to guide policy and program development.
• Objective 4.2: Track outcomes to assess program effectiveness and inform resource allocation.
• Objective 4.3: Share findings with justice system stakeholders to encourage replication of successful practices.
Goal 5: Build Capacity and Sustainability
• Objective 5.1: Provide training, technical assistance, and support to justice system agencies and staff.
• Objective 5.2: Develop infrastructure for ongoing collaboration, including statewide networks and forums for knowledge sharing.
• Objective 5.3: Leverage state and local resources strategically to sustain effective programs and initiatives over time.
Through these goals and objectives, the CJCC ensures that state funds are used to implement programs and initiatives that improve the efficiency, fairness, and effectiveness of the criminal justice system. The council’s coordinated approach promotes safer communities, reduces costs associated with incarceration, and advances long-term, sustainable improvements in public safety and justice outcomes in.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           Ongoing

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 CJCC Board of Directors who are appointed/elected:

Donald Johnson, Judge, 19th JDC– 300 North Blvd Ste. 8401, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Kyla Blanchard-Romanach, Chief Public Defender, East Baton O=Rouge Parish – 222 St. Louis Street, 7th Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Sid Edwards, MAyor President, City of Baton Rouge East Baton Rouge Parish – 222 Saint Louis Street, 3rd Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Sid Gautreaux, Sheriff, East Baton Rouge Parish – 8900 Jimmy Wedell Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70807
Gail Grover, Judge, East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court – 8333 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70807
Yvette Alexander, Judge, Baton Rouge City Court – 233 St Louis St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Hillar Moore, District Attorney, East Baton Rouge Parish – 222 St Louis St Suite 550, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Thomas Morse, Chief of Police, Baton Rouge Police Department – 9000 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70815
Jennifer Racca, Council mameber, East Baton Rouge Metro Council – 222 Saint Louis Street, Room 358, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 N/A

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 0%

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  N/A

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               N/A

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               N/A

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                N/A

          What is the nature of the relationship?  N/A

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 N/A

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               N/A


Contact Information
name:  Christopher Csonka 
                                       address:  100 Lafayette St
RM B248
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
                                       phone:  (225) 381-7098
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  ccsonka@ebrcjcc.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director