MBCI Court Services 2023 JAG application

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Choctaw Tribal Court Services “Diversionary Program” has built a strong foundation on utilizing and seeking system improvements. The purpose of this project is to continue providing prevention tools to further control delinquency with the development of a program, Teaching Life Skill Through Gardening. With the use of environmentally sustainable activities, green technologies as a platform to deliver services, and through a partnership with Mississippi State University, while promoting culturally significant and relevant Choctaw ways. The partnering university is Mississippi State University, and the Tribal Administration supports cooperation from all tribal programs with the Choctaw Tribal Court Services (applicant). The project’s major goals are to strengthening the youth, their family and community by providing culturally relevant activity which renews foundational values like stewardship of “mother earth” and each member’s significance in the community; communicate effectively with their natural support systems replacing alcohol and other drug use with specific health and wellness activity; and ensure the identification of mental and behavioral needs, delivering the appropriate service. This award will provide the program with the necessary equipment that will allow the program to continue its progression towards providing probationers with tools to build confidence, care for themselves, feel good about how they look in front of others, and organize their time as it relates to tasks. These simple life skills help probationers learn self-awareness, social awareness, and self-management while participating in gardening activities.