OJJDP's Demonstration Programs Division Grants were established to provide grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance to organizations. This program is authorized by the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, Pub. L. 112-110.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe proposes to continue the implementation of a culturally-specific, asset-based, wraparound reentry program for high risk juveniles involved in the justice system as an alternative to incarceration. They will be returning to the Tribal area from placement in secure detention or involuntary inpatient treatment ordered by the Leech Lake Tribal Court and the Ninth Judicial District Court for Cass, Beltrami, Itasca and Hubbard Counties. The Leech Lake Band will continue essential partnerships with internal departments, Tribal School, County Probation Departments, Oshki-Manidou, Northwest Minnesota Juvenile Detention Center and Public Schools. The project will target 30 Leech Lake high risk youth between the ages of 12 and 17 and their families until system development allows for increased expansion. The reentry process begins when a Leech Lake youth is court ordered to detention or treatment, whereupon County Probation will administer the MAYSI-2 (Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument) and/or the YLS (Youth Level of Service), both validated risk/needs assessments. Referrals will be forwarded to the Tribal Court, which will oversee intake, eligibility and development of an individualized case plan that is holistic, strengths-based; culturally relevant, gender-appropriate; addresses co-occurring substance abuse and mental health issues, with an emphasis on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD); while utilizing as a foundation the Seven Grandfathers of Anishinabe values and teachings. Compliance will be monitored by the Tribal Court using a restorative justice approach. The project will track data and performance measures through program forms, information-sharing and data base. Some short term goals are to improve pro-social behavior, increase community connectivity, increase use of evidence-based and practice-based services and increase access to cultural activities. Long term goals are to increase public safety and reduce recidivism. NCA/NCF
