Healing to Reentry Program

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes (Tribes) is a federally recognized tribe located in Canadian County, Oklahoma. With this funding, the Tribes will reduce barriers that often contribute to reoffending and recidivism and encourage positive and productive citizenry and successful reintegration into the tribal community.

The Tribes will achieve this goal by enhancing current reentry efforts by expanding our service population and offering prerelease services. The Tribes identify three primary objectives: to implement a planning stage, establish prerelease services, and enhance the current reentry program.  

Planning Stage: The Healing to Reentry Program will develop Oklahoma Department of Corrections contacts. The Healing to Reentry Program staff will receive training to become certified instructors and Oklahoma Department of Corrections Volunteers. The Healing to Reentry Program will develop program policies and forms.   

Prerelease Services: The Healing to Reentry Program staff will launch virtual or in-person prerelease instructional courses. The intent will be to educate American Indians on program information, resources, traditional healing methods and provide rehabilitative opportunities before release.

Reentry Program: Before or upon release, the Healing to Reentry Program will provide ex-offenders with an opportunity to complete an intake for eligibility determination, obtain access to various resources, and develop a case plan based on individual needs and qualifications. Throughout the Tribes, the Healing to Reentry Program will partner with different agencies. These partnerships will allow for basic needs, housing, transportation, education, training, employment, cultural enhancement, religious practice, substance abuse, mental health treatment, and legal support.

The Tribes actively support this project's efforts to eliminate obstacles that contribute to recidivism and encourage healing and progress. The Tribes are requesting funding in multiple purpose areas; however, purpose area 3 is independent and not contingent on any other purpose area awards.