Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians: Children's Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities Program

The Children's Justice Act (CJA) Partnerships for Indian Communities Grant Program (Victims of Crime Act of 1984, Section 1402(g), 34 U.S.C. 20101(g) supports American Indian and Alaska Native communities for the purpose of improving the investigation, prosecution, and handling of child abuse cases, especially cases of child sexual abuse, in a manner that increases support for and lessens trauma to child abuse victims. The funding further supports programs to provide comprehensive and coordinated multidisciplinary responses to child abuse victims and provide trauma-informed, culturally competent, holistic services to child abuse victims and their families. 

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians requested funding to support the interests of abused and neglected children within the Tribal court system by implementing a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) program.  This program will provide effective advocacy for abused and neglected children residing on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. With this funding, the Tribe will: 1) increase the number of children who receive culturally sensitive and holistic representation through a GAL program in Tribal Court proceedings; 2) support training for staff, advisory board members and law enforcement officers; 3) create partnerships among GAL programs and agencies with an emphasis on youth and family service and community organizations; and, 4) monitor and evaluate achievement of program goals to measure for effectiveness.