Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria's Academic Enrichment Program

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 #8, Prevent and control delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system (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 Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria proposes to implement an Academic Enrichment Program to reduce, control and prevent youth delinquency and to improve the youth's quality of life by offering them culturally sensitive prevention and management services. The project goals are directed towards long term tribal goal to preserve public safety and to establish the Tribe's future by ensuring that the next generation of adult members and leaders is well educated and well rounded. The primary objective of the program is to increase capacity so that youth in school will have access to necessary professional services, including counseling, mental health and substance abuse assistance, and tutoring which will lead to greater educational success. A priority of the project is to keep youth out of Juvenile Hall. The Academic Enhancement Program is a response to the Tribe's recognition that success at school and management of family issues are keys to curbing youthful delinquency. The plan includes clinical social work for the children and their families provided by the Program Coordinator, and a half time Mental Health Youth worker to be available for appointments especially during school hours. Mental health services and behavior support plans lead to success at school, and will create confidence and pride in other areas of life. The primary performance measure is the number of youth who offend or reoffend during the time of the grant. The Tribe will evaluate the program's success by the rate of tribal youth that stay in the program, finish school and stay out of the criminal justice system.
CA/NCF