Overview
Native American youth face significant challenges, including high rates of family poverty, gaps in educational opportunities, and chronic health conditions. Targeted prevention and intervention programs can help Tribal youth overcome challenges and lead productive lives.
OJJDP's programs and services help Tribal communities prevent youth victimization and delinquency, reduce violent crime, and improve Tribal juvenile justice systems. The Tribal Youth Justice Resource Center supports efforts to promote healing and provide opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native youth.
Programs and Funding
OJJDP participates in the U.S. Department of Justice's Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), which allows federally recognized Tribes to submit a single application for most of the Department's Tribal grant programs. OJJDP supports two purpose areas within CTAS—the Tribal Youth Justice Program and Tribal Youth Healing to Wellness Courts. OJJDP also encourages Tribes to apply for other funding opportunities to support their work in child protection, delinquency prevention, and juvenile justice systems enhancement.
Tribal Youth Justice Program
Grants help Tribes improve their juvenile justice systems and support prevention, intervention, and treatment approaches that benefit youth.
Tribal Youth Healing to Wellness Courts Program
These grants help participating tribal courts develop or strengthen policies, procedures, and services that address underage drinking and substance use. Tribal youth healing to wellness courts often combine judicial intervention with Tribal culture and values.
Expanding Tribal Children's Advocacy Centers
Under the Victims of Child Abuse Act, OJJDP supports the expansion and enhancement of children's advocacy centers for Native American communities. Advocacy centers employ multidisciplinary teams of professionals to improve investigative responses and treatment services for victims of child abuse and their families.
Training and Technical Assistance
The OJJDP Tribal Youth Justice Resource Center helps Tribes establish and expand youth prevention and intervention programs while ensuring the use of culturally based approaches.
Publications
- 2023 Missing American Indian and Alaska Native Persons: Age 21 and Under
- Tribal Legal Code Resource: Guide for Drafting or Revising Tribal Juvenile Delinquency and Status Offense Laws
Additional Resources
- Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Web Page
- Department of Justice: Tribal Funding Directory
- Department of Justice: Tribal Justice and Safety
- Office of Justice Programs: Tribal Justice
Stay Informed
OJJDP is a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) in the U.S. Department of Justice. For updates on programs that support communities and advance justice throughout the country, subscribe to Justice Programs News & Funding, a twice-monthly email newsletter. To receive weekly updates on open funding opportunities, sign up for Funding News, a notice of new grant releases and application tips.