Choctaw Cultural Connections

The overall goal of the Choctaw Cultural Connections (CCC) prevention program is to imbue Choctaw Youth with a strong sense of who they are, where they come from and why a strong sense of Choctaw cultural identity is important. The program will provide CCC classes to 475 youth by the end of the grant, as follows: (1) on-site weekly classes for youth in detention; (2) off-site monthly classes for youth in probation; and (3) bi-monthly community outreach classes for youth (ages 13-17) in their home communities. These three goals will be accomplished through six specific objectives: (1) identify and establish partnerships; (2) conduct planning, designing, and development sessions; (3) prepare CCC trainers with weekly Chahta Immi sessions; (4) develop CCC course content and delivery methods; (5) establish a Mobile Resource Center to assist in programming; and (6) develop a Sustainability Plan. Practically, the purpose of the CCC prevention program is to significantly reduce delinquency. The expected outcomes to be measured throughout the program are to reduce overall formal delinquency complaints filed with the Tribal Youth Court for new offenses and to reduce overall probation violations (Disobedience to Lawful Order of Court) by 10% the second year, 15% the third year, and 20% in years four and five.