THE 2013 APPLICATION DEADLINE CONCLUDED
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST.
- 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?
Today, I am still sober! Words cannot describe how my life has been changed for the good. I am a Proud Sober Yavapai Man who has regained hope and enjoys a life of sobriety. ~Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Graduate
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 treatment practitioners’ work with planning teams to shape programs, develop policy and procedure manuals, and build team unity. THWCPI includes a visit to a local Tribal Healing and Wellness Court 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
- 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 a profound expression 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 Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities after centuries of war, oppression, and resistance. Consequently, the role of a tribal treatment court is complex and multifaceted, involving multigenerational attitudes and perceptions about alcohol and other drugs. Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts address historical trauma and unresolved grief, act as a tool to restore tribal values, expand tribal justice systems, improve state-tribal and federal-tribal relationships, and restore 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 THWCPI 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 Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian populations. An expert practitioner, who is a representative from the native community, and a representative from NDCI will attend all THWCPI events. This training is for adult courts only.
Using THWCPI, NDCI will serve up to 10 jurisdictions. Once capacity is reached, NDCI will place jurisdictions on a wait-list and will accept them into the THWCPI as space becomes available. Wait-listed teams will automatically be added to the list should THWCPI be available in the next calendar year. Funding for THWCPI is contingent on the availability and amount of that fiscal year’s funding for the Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant programs.
Selected jurisdictions will participate in a facilitated 6-month planning process. Each jurisdiction will be required to complete pretraining worksheets, attend one 5-day THWCPI training program, maintain routine correspondence with program staff, and submit a Healing to Wellness Court implementation plan or draft policy and procedure manual.
Application Process
To apply, each interested jurisdiction must complete the online application form and submit a letter of commitment from the participating judge. Email the letter to Leonora Fleming, Training Coordinator, at 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 participating agencies that will contribute team members
- An expression of the team's commitment to the planning and development of your Tribal Healing to Wellness Court
- The expected responsibilities and resources the participating agencies will assume and dedicate during the Tribal Healing and Wellness Court planning process
Team Member Roles and Responsibilities
To participate in THWCPI, each community must identify ten individuals representing the following disciplines to form a Tribal Healing to Wellness Court planning team:
- Wellness court coordinator
- Judge
- Prosecutor
- Defense counsel
- Treatment provider
- Community supervision representative
- Law enforcement officer
- Evaluator
- Tribal council representative
- Elder or community member
Upon acceptance into the training program, each participating team member must commit to the following:
- Attend the entire week of training
- Actively participate in all discussions and training breakouts
- Abide by the “Federal Travel Regulations” and THWCPI 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. The coordinator will ensure all relevant information is disseminated to team members in a timely fashion, respond to requests for information, and coordinate with all THWCPI 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 of training, team members must work with project staff throughout the planning process and complete a number of pre- and post-training activities at their home jurisdiction.
THWCPI participants will have regular contact with NDCI during the course of the 6-month planning process. Training is expected to last five days. Attendance of all ten members of the Healing to Wellness Court planning team at one training at the training location is essential and required. Jurisdictions that are unable or unwilling to fully participate in THWCPI may forfeit their eligibility for in future NDCI-BJA training events.
Upon acceptance into the training program each participating team member must write and submit a letter of commitment that includes the following information:
An expression of the agency's commitment to plan and develop your Tribal Healing to Wellness Court.
The expected responsibilities and resources the participating agency will assume and 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
TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED FOR TRAVEL COSTS!
Lodging costs for required team members 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.
In addition to that, NDCI has funding to award travel scholarships, which defray the cost of airfare, ground transportation, parking, mileage, lodging, and per diem for approved jurisdictions. The applications for travel scholarships may be submitted after jurisdictions are approved for inclusion in THWCPI. NDCI, in collaboration with BJA, will review, approve, and award scholarships. Travel scholarships are intended to defray the cost of travel for teams and may not cover all cost.
Contact Us
For further information regarding the THWCPI application process and training program, please contact us:
Carolyn Hardin
Senior Director
571-384-1864
chardin@ndci.org