Tribal Youth Program Planning

This program will work with the Tribal Council and Community Council that have both identified justice system development and expansion, particularly for youth programming, as an ongoing high priority. Prior community needs assessments identified areas of importance to the Tribe, especially the integration of cultural components throughout all aspects of the justice system. The substance use disorder counselor offers counseling and group work and has also established a Youth Council to help form strong coping mechanisms through culturally relevant activities. The Youth Council is made up of tribal youth, ages 14-18, who are all impacted by their parents’ substance use issues. Some of the youth also struggle with their own substance use issues, and the impacts of trauma that lead to maladaptive behavioral issues. The goal of the Youth Council is to have the youth identify the issues themselves that are negatively impacting their peers and community and to assist in the development of identity based cultural prevention and intervention methods to reduce juvenile delinquency. The dedicated planning period will help build a robust program dedicated to prevention and intervention to reduce juvenile delinquency while also building a sustainable, youth-driven program.