TM COSSAP Program

Service Area: The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa is a federally recognized Tribe with 30,100 enrolled members. The proposed Category 1 project will expand access to substance abuse treatment and recovery services for Tribal members and will be located in the rural, high-poverty and persistent poverty area of Rolette County and the town of Belcourt, North Dakota. Turtle Mountain is a federally designated Housing and Urban Development Promise Zone, one of only 22 nationwide; and is an Opportunity Zone, both designations based on the poverty and economic distress of the area.

Primary Activities: Funds will be used for the following: 1) A take-back medication program in collaboration with the BIA law enforcement, Turtle Mountain Agency; 2) Expand access to evidence-based treatment and recovery support services with 250 Tribal members served in year one; 3) Implement peer recovery support services; 4) Utilize an evidence-based screening tool for use by first responders, law enforcement, and others to assess for substance abuse indicators, and; 5) Build trust and communication with local law enforcement through community outreach and education events.

Products and Deliverables: Assessment of the project activities will occur, including challenges encountered and how addressed, screening tool use and efficacy, peer recovery support services results, and implementation of medication take-back program. All reporting required by this award will be completed in a timely manner.

Who Will Benefit: During 2019, 750 members of the Turtle Mountain Tribe needed substance use treatment, the current provider, 5th Generation Healing Center, only had the capacity to treat 137.  The Turtle Mountain Recovery Center is being built through other funding and will more than double the available treatment services in this area, with 16 residential beds for in-patient, and outpatient counseling and support. Annually, at least 500 adult Tribal members will be able to receive treatment. This award will allow outpatient counseling and peer recovery support services begin in fall of 2021 prior to the winter 2023 completion of the Recovery Center.

The Turtle Mountain community experiences widespread, negative effects of substance abuse in nearly every area. This project has strong support of the community including Tribal Council, the local BIA law enforcement agency, the judicial system, health services, education providers, and faith and spiritual leaders.