Srxii-xe Shu' Srnelh-'i~ (Children correctly one-watches)

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.

Smith River Rancheria is a federally recognized Indian tribe of the Tolowa Indians. It is located three miles south of the Oregon-California border in California. The federally recognized jurisdiction and service area (near or on reservation status) includes Humboldt and Del Norte Counties in California and Coos, Curry, and Josephine Counties in Oregon. The goal of the program is to improve the Tribal Juvenile Justice System by doing the following: 1) implementing tribal justice strategies; 2) enacting a Tribal Juvenile Code; and 3) developing an advocacy program that is culturally competent and inclusive to all tribal youth (17 and under) and their families. The program will provide a plan and resources to attack this problem. The program will also implement an educational/training component to be provided to staff, families and partners. This training will increase awareness and provide coordinated resource deployment in an efficient and effective way. The program design will utilize the Smith River Rancheria Tribal Court to assist youth in developing a clear and steady pathway into the future. This will be accomplished by bringing a culturally balanced approach to the system.
CA/NCF