U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Youth Healing to Wellness Court Program

Description

Overview

In fiscal year (FY) 2015, the Youth Healing to Wellness Court Program (YHWCP) was incorporated as Purpose Area 8 into the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS). 

CTAS 8Number Awarded Amount Awarded
FY2023

13

$5,200,000

FY2022

5

$2,000,000

FY2021

11

$4,400,000

FY2020

6

$2,039,000

FY2019

5

$1,750,000

FY2018

6

$1,959,981

FY2017

8

$2,721,029

FY2016

13

$3,914,725

Total

67

$23,984,744

The YHWCP works to develop and enhance the capacity of existing Tribal courts and their response to issues related to alcohol and substance use for youth age 21 and younger. This includes creating new courts.

Court program objectives include:

  • Identifying the relevant data that is being collected on Tribal underage alcohol possession and consumption, and its related issues;
  • Inventorying policies, procedures, assessment tools, and services that address youth under age 21 who possess or consume alcohol and suffer from alcohol-related issues;
  • Determining gaps in such policies, procedures, assessment tools and services; and developing or enhancing the same.

Grantees may address gaps that may include:

  • Culturally appropriate provisions for right to counsel for persons under age 21 who have alcohol-related issues;
  • Judicial policies that work appropriately in Tribal justice systems to allow for delinquent charges/records to be expunged after completion of court-ordered action or programming.

Under the YHWCP, OJJDP has enhanced the capacity of Tribal courts to respond to alcohol and substance abuse challenges facing court-involved youth. These courts use culturally informed approaches to promote accountability, healing, and Tribal identity in youth younger than age 21.

Program funding allows grantees to develop or enhance an existing YHWCP in accordance with the OJJDP Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines and the Tribal Healing to Wellness Court 10 key components. In FY 2023, OJJDP funded 13 awards in the amount of $5,200,000. From FY 2016 to FY 2023, OJJDP funded 67 awards totaling $23,984,744 under the program.

Training and Technical Assistance

OJJDP's Tribal Youth Resource Center provides training and technical assistance to federally recognized Tribes, including evaluation, program implementation, support, strategic planning, trauma-informed care, and more.

Training:

TTA Providers:

Contact

Heather McDonald
Grants Management Specialist 
Youth Justice and System Innovation Division
[email protected]

Resources

  • Department of Justice: Tribal Funding DirectoryUsers can search over 70 funding opportunities by topic area or program. These funding opportunities support a range of effective criminal justice, prevention, intervention, youth, research, reentry, and victim services activities.  
  • FindTreatment.gov – This resource from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration allows website visitors to search anonymously and confidentially for treatment for mental and substance use disorders. 
  • Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines – This resources page includes guidelines to provide juvenile courts with an evidence-based, treatment-oriented approach that emphasizes family engagement, and addresses the substance use and often co-occurring mental health disorders experienced by the youth.
  • Wellness Court Resources – This resources page includes the Healing to Wellness Court Resource Series, Operations, Research, Planning, Data and Evaluations and more wellness courts topics.

Publications and News:

Date Created: May 28, 2021