Training and Technical Assistance Support

Authorized by 25 USC 3661, et seq., the BJA's Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance (TCCLA) Program serves to enhance tribal court systems and improve access to those systems through legal services; and to support the development and enhancement of tribal justice systems. Categories 1 and 2 were open only to non-profit organizations with a tax status of 501(c)(3) under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code, including tribal enterprises and educational institutions. The grants in categories 1 and 2 are designed to strengthen and improve the representation of indigent defendants in criminal cases and indigent respondents in civil causes of action under the jurisdiction of Indian tribes. For Category 3, eligible applicants were national or regional membership organizations and associations whose membership or a membership section consists of judicial system personnel within tribal justice systems. The award is designed to provide quality training and technical assistance to develop and enhance tribal justice systems.

The grant recipient will use this award to enhance the operations of tribal justice systems and improve access to those systems. The grantee will provide training and technical assistance for the development and enhancement of tribal justice systems, with a focus on tribal legal assistance; and will assist tribal justice systems assess impact or assist in implementation of the enhanced sentencing authority authorized under the Tribal Law and Order Act.

The Council of State Governments/American Probation & Parole Association, in partnership with The University of North Dakota Tribal Judicial Institute and
The National Tribal Judicial Center at the National Judicial College, propose to develop and disseminate a training needs assessment to adequately assess the training and technical assistance needs of grantees funded under the Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Grant. Results will guide the following proposed deliverables: two national/regional trainings comprised of jurisdictional teams (prosecutors, judges, defense and community corrections personnel); on-site technical assistance to up to three tribal jurisdictions ready to take the next step, beyond training, to implementation; office-based technical assistance to up to 30 tribes; three publications; and 6 webinars.
CA/NCF