Whether part of a collaborative effort between just two organizations or a member of a broad-based coalition, each organization should be represented by the chief executive or his or her designee. Involvement by the principals signals to their subordinates and other stakeholders that the organization is committed to the initiative.

The chief executive for a police department (chief, sheriff, or public safety director), the courts (presiding judge), the prosecutor's office (district attorney), the local jail, or another criminal justice entity is likely to be fairly obvious. The lead individual in mental health circles, however, may be less apparent. Agents of change should turn to existing cross sections of mental health organizations, such as county-level mental health planning committees, for assistance in identifying an appropriate leader in the mental health community.