Nooksack Tribal Youth Program

Part of the Indian Country Law Enforcement Initiative, a joint initiative of DOJ and the U.S. Department of the Interior to improve law enforcement and the administration of criminal and juvenile justice in Indian country, OJJDP's Tribal Youth Program (TYP) supports and enhances tribal efforts to prevent and control delinquency and strengthen the juvenile justice system for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth. This program is authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended and the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2009, Pub. L. 111-8.

The Nooksack Indian Tribe is a federally recognized tribe located in Deming, Washington. The BIA tribal enrollment for the Nooksack Tribe is 1820. This project will address providing prevention services to impact risk factors for delinquency, including risk factor identification and alcohol and drug abuse prevention.

The Tribal youth that will be served are ages 6 to 17, and approximately 616 youths will be served. The program will be offered year-round, after-school, and during the summer at the Education department, as well as the community center. Program objectives include: (1)youth develop a personal Circle of Wellness leading to a constructive lifestyle; (2)improve cultural identification among Tribal children ages 6-11 (or 12 as per school grade) through integrated After School/Summer programs and the Tribal Youth Program; and (3)provide anti-substance abuse programs as it pertains to cultural view of sacredness of body and spirit in our culture during After School and the Summer Program each year in cooperation with House of Children. CA/NCF