GTB Naadimaadi-daa

The proposed continuation of the Truancy Prevention Program will be implemented by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Education Department. The Truancy Prevention Program strives to intervene prior to chronic absenteeism and assist with the root of social issues that prevent students from attending school. The goal of this program is to provide a community-based prevention and intervention services to tribal member youths located within the tribal community and six-county service area intended to prevent and or intervene chronic absenteeism and at-risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system to reduce chronic absenteeism by 20%. The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians plan to accomplish this goal through a collaboration in conjunction with Tribal Court and other inter-Tribal and community entities. A task force called “Naadimaadi-daa” (“let us help one another” in Anishnaabemowin), was formed by the Truancy Intervention Specialist through the FY 2018 CTAS 9 grant. Members include a mixture of professional disciplines that includes the Tribal Judge, Tribal Prosecutor, Tribal Public Safety Officer, Anishinaabek Family Services, Tribal Teachers, Leelanau County Family Court, GTB Youth Intervention Specialists, the grant technical advisor, GTB Education Manager, and other local school officials. The Naadimaadi-daa will work to improve a fair and equitable Juvenile Justice System for GTB Youth. Interventions will include coordination for counseling, food services, school visits, cultural experiences, providing personal hygiene items, incentives, home visits, assisting teachers with developing classroom routines, and using culture as prevention.