Sac and Fox Four Directions Demonstration Reentry Program

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison, jail, and juvenile residential facilities and returning to communities. There are currently over 2.3 million individuals serving time in our federal and state prisons, and millions of people cycling through local jails every year. There are approximately 94,000 youth in residential confinement within the juvenile justice system on any given day. Ninety-five percent of all offenders incarcerated today will eventually be released and will return to communities. The Second Chance Act will help ensure the transition individuals make from prison, jail, or juvenile residential facilities to the community is safe and successful.

The proposed Sac and Fox Four Directions Demonstration Reentry Program is a comprehensive program for incarcerated Native American juveniles who have been dual diagnosed with mental health and substance abuse problems. The program will be housed at the Sac and Fox Nation Juvenile Detention Center in Stroud, Oklahoma. The program will utilize a Reentry Task Force and qualified individuals to provide services. The Nation has operated a juvenile detention facility for over ten years.

The proposed program will utilize a 4th Generation Assessment and / Case Management software program to inform individual case management and services. Assessments will occur every 90 days while a juvenile is in the program. Services will be individually tailored to risk and need factors. The goals of the program are: 1) to increase public safety and reduce recidivism among the reentry target population; 2) to increase employment opportunities; 3) to increase educational opportunities; 4) to increase housing opportunities; and 5) to increase participation in mental health and substance abuse services. To accomplish these goals the Four Directions program will provide literacy classes, job training, education programs, and mental health and substance abuse programs for offenders. The Program will also provide a two-phase housing program. Phase 1 Transitional Housing will be a therapeutic support community of 10 to 12 persons. Residents will be provided part-time jobs, through the Nation, and receive comprehensive services for up to nine months. Phase 2 Independent Living will move residents into two-bedroom apartments and full-time employment. Independent Living participants will complete an Independent Living and Employment Academy prior to entry into Phase 2. Program staff will develop tools to collect required Performance Measures. Follow-ups with participants will continue for three years after completion or discharge from the program.

CA/NCF