Juvenile Justice Project

The FY 2008 Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program (IASAP) provides funding and technical assistance to federally recognized tribal governments to plan, implement, or enhance tribal justice strategies to address crime issues related to alcohol and substance abuse. Key IASAP objectives include: developing a project activity team; identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting those who illegally transport, distribute, and use alcohol and controlled substances; prevent and reduce the number of alcohol and substance-abuse-related crimes (with a priority on methamphetamine), traffic fatalities, and injuries; developing and enhancing collaborations with federal, state, tribal, and local criminal justice agencies; integrating tribal and non-tribal services for offenders and their families; and making available culturally appropriate treatment and other services.

The Chehalis Tribe will use the FY 2008 IASAP award to ensure the continuity of its traditions and culture while maintaining its sovereignty and self-determination by expanding the capabilities of its chemical dependency program to provide substance abuse intervention to Native youth who are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, tribal and/or state juvenile justice systems.

The primary objectives of the Chehalis Tribe's Juvenile Justice Project are to: provide alcohol and drug abuse counseling services to court-involved and at-risk tribal youth; reduce alcohol and drug related crimes committed by youth; and establish a multi-disciplinary advisory board to plan, implement, and monitor effective and comprehensive substance abuse treatment services for youth. With nearly half of the 800-member tribe under the age of 20, this project will link adolescents to a chemical dependency prevention and intervention services program that focuses on Native culture and beliefs. The funds will be used to expand such services as assessments, intensive outpatient treatment, individual and family counseling, substance abuse education, and aftercare. Funds will also be used to hire a Community Youth Officer and Youth Chemical Dependency Counselor. An advisory board comprising of the Tribe's Director of Public Safety, Director of Child and Family Services, chemical dependency staff, juvenile probation, and other community stakeholders (education, health clinic staff, etc.) will provide oversight of the project.

CA/NCF