The 2012 THWCPI is full and registration is now closed.
- Are you looking for alternative strategies in responding to alcohol and substance abusers and addicts on tribal lands?
- Would you like specific training to integrate the Drug Court model with your tribal traditions and develop a holistic approach within the tribal justice system?
Overview
The Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Planning Initiative (THWCPI) is designed to assist jurisdictions in the planning and development of Tribal Healing to Wellness Court programs. NDCI staff and cadre of Tribal Healing to Wellness Court practitioners work with planning teams to shape their programs, develop their policy and procedure manuals, and build team unity. THWCPI includes a visit to a local THWC in order to observe case staffing and status hearings.
Each session has been designed to familiarize participants with the building blocks of Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Who Are We and Why Are We Here?
- Nation Building
- Treatment Issues in Tribal Communities
- Importance of incorporating culture
- Community Supervision: Working with Tribal Law Enforcement
Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts are profound expressions of sovereign, self-determining nations. Such courts have become an important part of a long, often perilous, and amazing Nation rebuilding process that began for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities after centuries of war, oppression, and resistance. Consequently, the impact of a tribal Drug Court is complex and multi-faceted affecting multi-generational attitudes and perceptions about alcohol and other drugs, addressing historical trauma and unresolved grief, acting as a tool to restore tribal values, expanding tribal justice systems, improving state-tribal and federal-tribal relationships, and restoring individuals to their rightful place as contributing members to the tribal community. This training conveys the complexities and nuances of Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), in partnership with NDCI developed the content of the Adult Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Planning Initiative (THWCPI) training program. In offering training and technical assistance through THWCPI, BJA demonstrates a commitment to working with local jurisdictions to prevent and control substance abuse and crime among the American Indian and Alaska Native population. Representatives from each of these communities will attend all THWCPI events. This training is for adult courts only.
Up to 10 jurisdictions will be served through THWCPI. Once capacity is reached, a waitlist will be initiated. Waitlisted teams will be accepted into the THWCPI as space becomes available and will automatically be added to the list for possible THWCPI iterations in calendar year 2013.
Jurisdictions will be selected to participate in a facilitated 6 month planning process. Each jurisdiction will be required to complete pre-training worksheets, attend one, five-day THWCPI training program, maintain routine correspondence with program staff, and submit a Healing to Wellness Court implementation plan/draft policy and procedure manual. The 2012 Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Planning Initiative training will take place March 25 - 30, 2011 in Fort McDowell, Arizona.
THWCPI is intended for jurisdictions in the planning stages of developing a Tribal Healing to Wellness Court or in need of refinements or improvements to their existing court.
Submission of Application and Letter of Commitment
To apply, each interested jurisdiction must complete the on-line Application Form and submit a letter of commitment from the judge.
The Letter of Commitment from the participating judge must be submitted via facsimile or email Leonora Fleming, Training Coordinator at (571) 384-1859 or lfleming@ndci.org. The letter must include the following:
- A clearly stated commitment that approved team members will attend the required training in its entirety.
- A list of agencies that will make up your team participating in the planning process.
- An expression of the team's commitment to the planning and development of your Healing to Wellness Court.
- The expected responsibilities and resources the participating team member agencies will dedicate during the Healing to Wellness Court planning process.
Team Member Roles and Responsibilities
To participate in THWCPI, each community must identify ten (10) individuals representing the following disciplines to form a Healing to Wellness Court Planning Team:
- Wellness Court Coordinator
- Judge
- Prosecutor
- Defense Counsel/Advocate
- Treatment Representative
- Law Enforcement
- Probation/Community Supervision Representative
- Evaluator/Researcher
- Tribal Council Representative
- Elder/Community Member
Upon acceptance into the training program, each participating team member must:
- Attend the entire week long training.
- Actively participate in all discussions and training breakouts.
- Abide by the Federal Travel Regulations and DCPI policies.
- Identify an appropriate substitute if the need arises.
- Complete all homework assignments and respond to all requests for information.
- Write and submit a Letter of Commitment.
In addition, the Wellness Court Coordinator must serve as the team point of contact for all THWCPI coordination activities. This will include ensuring all relevant information is disseminated to team members in a timely fashion, responding to requests for information, and coordinating with all DCPI staff and faculty.
Required Commitment
BJA's investment in this training initiative is dependent upon active participation of all approved THWCPI team members. In addition to attending the entire week long training, team members will be expected to work with project staff throughout the planning process and complete a number of pre and post training activities while at their home location.
THWCPI participants will have regular contact with NDCI during the course of the 6-month planning process. Training is expected to last 5 days and is scheduled for March 25-30, 2012. There will be one training at a training location where attendance of the entire ten (10) member Healing to Wellness Court Planning Team is essential and required. Jurisdictions that are unable or unwilling to fully participate in THWCPI may forfeit their participation in future BJA training events.
Upon acceptance into the training program each participating team member must write and submit a letter of commitment that includes the information listed below.
- An expression of the agency's commitment to the planning and development of your Healing to Wellness Court.
- The expected responsibilities and resources the participating team member's agency will dedicate during the Tribal Healing to Wellness Court planning process.
- A clearly stated commitment that approved team member will attend the required training in its entirety.
- Indication that the team member has read and will abide by the Federal Travel Regulations and DCPI policies.
Training Costs
Lodging costs associated with required team members' participation in THWCPI will be covered by BJA. Payment will occur through direct billing. All other costs are the responsibility of the team member as detailed in the Federal Travel Regulations and DCPI policies.
Travel scholarships will be awarded to jurisdictions for travel costs!
NDCI has been provided funding to award Travel Scholarships to defray the cost of airfare, ground transportation, parking, mileage, lodging, and per diem for approved jurisdictions. The application request for Travel Scholarships will begin after jurisdictions are approved for inclusion in THWCPI. NDCI, in collaboration with BJA will review, approve and award scholarships.
Contact Information
For further information regarding the THWCPI Application Process and Training Program please contact the following:
Misti Porter, Senior Consultant
480-201-0496
mporter@ndci.org