County Executive Agard Calls for Nominations to Community Justice Council Subcommittees
December 10, 2025
execmedia@danecounty.gov, 608-800-1127
County Executive
DANE COUNTY - Dane County Executive Melissa Agard is inviting community members and organizations to submit nominations for open seats on the Dane County Community Justice Council’s (CJC) Pretrial, Racial Disparities, and Behavioral Health Subcommittees.
These positions are part of ongoing efforts to ensure that people with lived experience in the criminal legal system, as well as those with behavioral health expertise, have a meaningful voice in shaping Dane County’s policies and practices.
“Community participation is essential to building a justice system that truly reflects and serves the people of Dane County,” said County Executive Melissa Agard. “When those closest to the challenges help guide the solutions, we create policies that are more compassionate, more effective, and more accountable. I encourage anyone with lived experience or expertise to step forward and help us strengthen this work.”
The Dane County Board of Supervisors previously approved changes to the CJC’s membership through Ordinance Amendment 28, which expanded the Council and its subcommittees to include additional community members with lived experience and behavioral health expertise. The current call for nominations is intended to fill the following seats on CJC subcommittees:
CJC Pretrial Subcommittee:
Two persons from diverse backgrounds who have lived experiences of incarceration or have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system.
CJC Racial Disparities Subcommittee:
Two persons from diverse backgrounds who have lived experiences of incarceration or have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system.
CJC Behavioral Health Subcommittee:
One public member with behavioral health expertise.
Nominations may come from community-based organizations or directly from individuals who wish to be considered. Those with lived experience in the criminal legal system, as well as people with backgrounds in behavioral health, are strongly encouraged to apply.
“As chair of the Community Justice Council, I have seen how much stronger our work becomes when we listen to and partner with people who are closest to the challenges we are trying to solve,” said Judge John Hyland, Chair of the Dane County Community Justice Council. “The voices of those who have experienced incarceration, and those who support individuals with behavioral health needs, help us design more just and effective policies. I look forward to welcoming new members to these subcommittees.”
Those interested in being nominated, or organizations wishing to nominate individuals, should submit the following by January 9, 2025:
- Name of the nominee
- Short biography or statement of interest
- Phone number and email address
- Indication of which subcommittee(s) the nominee is interested in serving on
CJC subcommittees generally meet monthly between noon and 2:00 p.m. CJC staff will provide onboarding support, including background on the CJC, meeting procedures, and current initiatives.
For questions about the CJC or these appointments, please contact Office of Justice Reform Director Colleen Clark Bernhardt at clark.colleen@countyofdane.com. Please send completed nomination materials to OJR@danecounty.gov
More information about the Community Justice Council and its work is available at cjc.countyofdane.com.