Squaxin Island Tribe Local Court Enhancement Project

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In fiscal year 2007, the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within six major categories: 1) targeting violent crime; 2) preventing crime and drug abuse; 3) enhancing local law enforcement; 4) enhancing local courts; 5) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 6) facilitating justice information sharing. All categories combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime.

The Squaxin Island Tribe proposes to utilize its Byrne award funds to enhance the Tribal Court by upgrading its recording and database systems. Currently both systems are inadequate and do not meet the needs of the Tribal Court, other Tribal departments and outside agencies. The ability to monitor and track progress of offenders is critical to the safety of the children who may be in an unsafe environment that places them at risk for abuse and/or neglect. Implementing these new systems will provide key providers/stakeholders with key information to make a decision that will lead to improved outcomes for families with substance use disorders who are a part of the child welfare and tribal court systems.

CA/NCF