Klamath Tribes Youth Engagement Project

The Klamath Tribes seek support of youth engagement efforts to better understand and address gaps in services for Tribal youth that focus on prevention of school dropout, substance abuse, and delinquent behavior. The Tribal Council, the Employment and Education Department, and Tribal Health have worked to prioritize prevention activities in response to the widespread recognition that prevention is a far better option than rehabilitation or diversion after problems arise. This proposal seeks to support healthy, prosocial engagement of Tribal youth in their local community and as part of the larger American Indian community in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The Tribes will implement a Tribal Youth Program to focus on supporting the Tribal Youth Council with a halftime Program Coordinator, funding for a summer high school youth staffer, along with support for a Summer Youth Summit Conference for all tribal youth from Oregon, and an annual Unity Youth trip. The proposed Tribal Youth Program will emphasize completing high school and matriculating into a career-path training program, such as college, the trades or the military. The Tribes will also work with the Klamath School District, so that participants who meet specific milestones will receive high school credit for their involvement. The Coordinator will also have the ability to make referrals to other wraparound services such as healing circles, after-school supervision, and academic assistance, and will provide anti-gang, anti-bullying, and parenting education and training for youths and their families (including foster parents).