Southern Ute Indian Tribe Wellness Court

The primary purpose of the project is to enhance the Tribe’s Wellness Court to better meet the needs of current substance offenders. The goal of the project is to enhance the Court’s substance treatment-oriented continuum of care. This goal will be achieved through three objectives. 1) expand the Wellness Court Program Development Team’s knowledge of best practices; 2) improve and provide earlier therapeutic intervention for program participants to include adult and transitional adult offenders, 3) deliver aftercare supportive services to Wellness Court participants to help them transition and succeed post-graduation, and 4) provide resources for treatment and transitional housing placements.
The primary activities included in the enhancement of the Wellness Court over a 48-month period are annual professional development training opportunities focused on Drug Court best practices and transitional adult services strategies, increase participant supports in the areas of therapeutic support and earlier intervention, and providing a comprehensive aftercare program aimed at increasing the chances of long-term sobriety. Additional resources have been requested to support Native Wellness Court participants without insurance secure 30-day Residential Treatment services and Sober Living placements when necessary. These objectives will be accomplished by utilizing drug court training resources, serving transitional age adults via best practices, and providing post-program care to Wellness Court graduates.
The expected outcomes of the project include annual training of three Wellness Court Program Development Team Members in Adult Drug Court best practices and transitional adult offender support; increased therapeutic interventions (equine therapy and shortened program tracks for transitional adults); and after-care support for program participants pre-and post-graduation. A total of 10 Wellness Court Program participants will be served each year of the grant.
The specific service area includes the Southern Ute Indian Reservation located in Ignacio, Colorado, and the surrounding jurisdiction within the exterior boundaries of the Reservation. This region spans three counties (La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan) and 1,064 square miles.
The intended beneficiaries of the investment include 3 Wellness Court Program Development team members (professional development) and 40 Wellness Court program participants that will include both adult and transitional adult offenders over the four-year grant.