JOLEEN BRANTLE | PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

Joleen Brantle
LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) Director, CONNECT (Congress of Neighboring Communities)

Growing up as a disadvantaged youth, Joleen “Joey” Brantle gained a unique perspective into how community support and government services work to help families.

After graduating from college, working in multiple roles and serving in the Army National Guard, Brantle transitioned to her current role as LEAD Director at CONNECT, where she leads the charge to partner with police departments in caring for people committing lower-level crimes due to mental health issues, addiction or other issues.

Police departments send referrals to LEAD’s long-term case managers, who provide them support for housing, education, treatment and more.

“I see my role as optimizing and improving a program that has already changed many lives,” Brantle says. “My primary priority is trying to help lift us all up — my family was lifted that way and I want everyone to have that sort of benefit.”