Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2005, $225,000)
Using a culture-based program, Akiachak tribal members are committed to conducting a year-round after-school and summer program using age-appropriate cultural activities to impact risk factors for delinquency. They will work with 40 delinquent/at-risk youth in elementary, middle, and high school, out of a total population of 150 children aged 9-18 (4th through 12th grades). Program activities will consist of age- and gender-appropriate (per cultural tradition) group projects pursued in 2-hour sessions 5 days per week year-round except for Christmas break. During summer months scheduling adjustments will focus activities on harvesting and preserving food for winter, emphasizing subsistence economic/cultural skills.
The program, to be based at the Youth & Elders Center. The Yupiit School District is a partner in this project and will provide statistics relating to school behavior and accomplishments. Also involved will be the Village Public Safety Office, which responds to and records daily calls for assistance, as well as culturally competent adults and tribal elders who are making long term commitments to provide program activities and services.
Data from police incidence reports, collected by the Project Director, will be used to construct statistical measures for on-going evaluation of program impacts on youth behavior. This information will be combined with school and program data for on-going analysis of program effectiveness as well as for reporting to OJJDP.CA/NCF