Tribal Justice

In August 2024 the TA Center met with 75 grantees (a small number more than once).

In July 2024 the TA Center met with 86 grantees (some of them twice).

Wellness Court Specialist Angie Juarez-Monger presented the newly developed TLPI veteran infographic, "Models for Integrating Veterans' Services with Tribal healing to Wellness Courts" at the 2024 NAIJCA National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference during the Native American Veterans, Veteran Justice Outreach, and Veteran Treatment Courts session.

Reviewed guide produced by site under Kevin and Avonte grant.

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) have a long tradition of service in the U.S. military. AIAN veterans are experiencing the negative outcomes of their military service in the form of high rates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), suicide, "functional disabilities," housing instability, and low employment rates, compared to other veterans. Thus, "access to justice" for AIAN veterans then can be particularly complex.

All Rise referred Yurok Tribe's Foundational Training application to TLPI as TLPI would be developing a tribal-specific foundational training. A second TTA request from Yurok was also received by TLPI. Wellness Court Specialist Kristina Pacheco clarified that the TTA request was a duplicated request for foundational training. An initial planning meeting with Yurok was set for February 2024.

Outgoing State Drug Court Coordinator, Jeff Kushner, contacted Wellness Court Specialist Kristina Pacheco in late 2023 giving notice of his departure in 2024 and a request to partner with the incoming State Coordinator, Jake Lapke, for the 2024 Montana Treatment Court Conference on September 9-11, 2024 in Helena, Montana. Planning continued with Mr. Lapke and Ms. Pacheco and 2 TLPI, Montana-specific consultants; plus 1 additional TLPI consultant presented 4 Tribal sessions:
1. Culture in the Healing to Wellness Court; Kristina Pacheco, Sean Bear, Durand Bear Medicine

Judge Diane Cabrera requested TTA for the Lower Elwha S'klallam Tribe (FY20 CTAS - Purpose Area 3 grantee) in February 2024. Wellness Court Specialist Kristina Pacheco set up an initial meeting on March 11, 2024, which resulted in a request for onsite TTA for training of new team members and THWC coordinator, particularly on the Tribal Key Components, team building, culture and language in court proceedings, and a new approach in blending with their Family Healing to Wellness Court.

TLPI has been selected to self-certify Conference Request forms but required to submit a form per the formal process for the Rise25 conference. The form was submitted December 2024 and is still pending at the end of the reporting period. The conference dates are May 28-31, 2025.

TLPI has been selected to self-certify Conference Request forms but required to submit a form using the formal submission process for the 2025 American Indian Justice Conference. The form was submitted December 2024 and is pending at the end of this reporting period. The conference dates are May 13-15, 2025.