Violence Prevention and Rehabilitation Projects

Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. launched a Department-wide initiative on public safety and victim services in Tribal communities. As part of this effort, Department of Justice (DOJ) leadership conducted a series of meetings across the country addressing violent crime in Tribal communities. As a result, DOJ developed the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010, combining DOJ's existing Tribal government-specific competitive solicitations into one, and thus requiring only one application from each Tribe or Tribal consortium. This approach provides federally-recognized Tribes and Tribal consortia the opportunity to develop a comprehensive approach to public safety and victimization issues. This award was selected under Purpose Area #10, Develop new demonstration projects on violence prevention and rehabilitation (OJJDP - Tribal Youth Program - TYP), CFDA #16.731, authorized under the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010, Division B, Title II, Public Law 111-117, 123 Stat. 3122, 3134.

The Santee Sioux Nation (SSN) has been impacted in recent years by high crime rates, violence, and substance abuse. The Sunktanka Oyate Onispepi Project (SOOP) seeks to develop a comprehensive strategic plan and design that yields a coordinated prevention and intervention tribal system of care focusing on violence prevention and rehabilitation that is culturally appropriate for Santee youth 17 and under. Through the SOOP, the Tatanka Tiospaye Coalition (TTC) or Project Advisory Board will develop a comprehensive approach designed to promote youth resiliency while meeting the needs of youth at a time when a positive community response will greatly assist in their identity development and when their need for personal belonging is most crucial. The Santee Tribal Youth Reconnection Program plans will be a traditional cultural immersion camp. The focus will be to develop activities to implement their tribal values and morays that revolve around their youth's sacredness and to teach them to hold and support themselves in such a sacred manner. The Santee Tribal Youth Resiliency Program will plan opportunities for youth to experience a balance of individual and family-based therapy with interactive cultural healing activities. The Santee Cultural Strengthening Initiative for Native Girls Program will plan how to best utilize and integrate some of their traditional ceremonies and teachings surrounding females that have long been overlooked in their community. In support of the overall systemic approach represented by these three proposed solutions, the SSN has integrated formative evaluation strategies that are evidence-based and aligned closely with the outcomes and indicators as represented in each category of the program solicitation.
CA/NCF