Makah Healing Court Enhancement.

The Makah Indian Tribe is applying for priority consideration of Category 2 funding for Enhancement of an Adult Tribal Healing to Wellness Court, herein referred to as Makah Healing Court (MHC). The Makah Reservation is on the western-most tip of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, bordering the Pacific Ocean, the Straits of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic National Forest.  The MHC has been in operation since 2013, when we received implementation funding. MHC has combined pre-adjudication and post-adjudication, offering the possibility of expungement of the originating criminal record upon successful graduation from the MHC. 

The MHC program is requesting a total federal award of $742,362.44 over a four-year span, including funding for a full-time MHC Case Manager position, full time MHC Coordinator, supplies for urinalysis testing, transitional housing assistance, training and cross-training for team members, increase outreach/awareness campaigns, cultural activities, and office supplies for team members. The proposed in-kind match totals $258,587.20 as outlined in the budget worksheet.

Currently, 7 clients are enrolled in the MHC. Our average caseload over the past 8 years is 12 clients. Since its inception, the Makah Healing Court has successfully graduated a total of 23 participants. The MHC expects to serve a minimum of 20 participants at a time with this funding. The consistency of our program, along with its successes and challenges, has allowed the MHC to continuously evaluate and improve the MHC program to better serve its target population. 

The target population is offenders charged with an AOD related, non-violent crime that are high risk/high need. The majority of our target population are repeat AOD offenders with other significant criminogenic issues, including lack of follow-through on previous treatment, anger/hostility, criminal associates, unemployment/underemployment, and dysfunctional family life.  The majority of our target population also suffers a significant disconnect with their qʷidiččaʔa·tx̌  (Makah) culture and from undiagnosed co-occurring mental health disorders.

The program narrative will explain how the MHC incorporates the Ten Key Components of a Tribal Healing to Wellness Court. With this funding, the MHC will continue with program enhancement via a partnership with Makah Family Services for family reunification in child dependency cases, financial assistance for transitional housing and increasing the program’s presence in the community through outreach and awareness activities.