Brooke Dembert

Brooke Dembert currently serves as a Policy Advisor within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she leverages her extensive background in behavioral health and criminal justice to shape impactful policies and programs. In this role, Brooke provides expert guidance on the administration and management of federal grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts focused on integrating behavioral health services within justice systems, with a particular emphasis on veteran populations entangled in the criminal justice system. Her work ensures that funded initiatives adhere to evidence-based practices, uphold program fidelity, and effectively address the complex needs of justice-involved individuals with behavioral health challenges.

Brooke’s expertise spans program evaluation, data collection, and database development, enabling her to monitor grantee performance rigorously and offer strategic guidance to optimize outcomes. Her deep understanding of mental health counseling, crisis intervention, and group therapy informs her approach to developing policies that promote trauma-informed care and recovery-oriented systems. She is adept at translating research into actionable strategies, fostering collaboration among government agencies, nonprofits, and community stakeholders to improve behavioral health outcomes for vulnerable populations, including veterans and military personnel.

With a proven track record in grant writing, fundraising, and policy planning, Brooke is committed to advancing innovative, evidence-based solutions that enhance justice system responses to behavioral health needs. Her leadership in this space underscores her dedication to improving the well-being of justice-involved individuals through integrated, data-driven programs that emphasize mental health, recovery, and community reintegration.