Caren Harp, Administrator 

Tribal Youth Initiatives 

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) supports 

American Indian and Alaska Native communities as they work to reduce 

juvenile delinquency, prevent victimization, and strengthen the juvenile justice 

system for tribal youth.

The Office participates in the Justice Department’s Coordinated Tribal 

Assistance Solicitation, which allows any of the 574 federally recognized 

tribes to submit a single application for most of the Department’s tribal grant 

programs. OJJDP supports two purpose areas within the solicitation—the 

Tribal Youth Program and Tribal Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts. OJJDP 

also encourages tribes to apply for other funding opportunities to support their 

work in the areas of child protection, delinquency prevention, and juvenile 

justice system enhancement. The Office recently participated in a series of 

workshops to provide rural and tribal communities with guidance to increase 

their access to federal grants.

To bolster the grantees’ efforts, the Tribal Youth Resource Center and 

the Alaska Native Youth Training and Technical Assistance Project 

offer comprehensive, culturally relevant support to all tribes and to rural 

Alaska Native communities, respectively. The Office also funds research 

and convenes tribal consultations and youth summits to help promote the 

success and well-being of tribal youth. 

Programs 

Tribal Youth Program 

Grants awarded through this program help tribes improve their juvenile justice

systems and support prevention, intervention, and treatment approaches that

benefit youth. OJJDP designed the funding to be flexible to accommodate

the unique needs of each tribe since tribes’ cultures, needs, and capacities

vary widely.

Tribal Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts Program 

These grants help participating courts develop or strengthen policies, 

procedures, and services that address underage drinking and substance use. 

Tribal juvenile healing to wellness courts often combine judicial intervention 

with tribal values, such as spirituality and connection to the family and 

community, to treat youth. 

For More Information 

Access more information about OJJDP’s programs for tribal youth at 

https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/programs/tribal-youth-programs-and-services. 

May 2020 

Funding 

Between fscal years 2017 and 

2019, OJJDP awarded nearly $27 

million to help improve outcomes 

for tribal youth. 

` Fiscal Year 2019—$6.6 million

` Fiscal Year 2018—$7.2 million

` Fiscal Year 2017—$13 million

From the Field 

Supported by OJJDP funding, the

Lower Sioux Indian Community

created the Wawokiya Mentoring

Program to address the high rates

of victimization, substance use, 

and mental health issues among

Lower Sioux youth. 

The research-informed program

promotes a sense of belonging,

independence, and generosity in

youth through cultural teachings

and a coming-of-age ceremony.

An advisory committee comprised

of respected community members

supports and guides the

program’s work.

“What’s really amazing about this

whole initiative is that [what] the

research points to as effective

mentoring is literally embedded

in our Dakota ways!” says

Dr. Teresa Peterson, an advisor 

to the program. “We only need to

remember that and work toward 

restoring [those values].” 

Office of Juvenile Justice and 

Delinquency Prevention 

NCJ 254695 ojjdp.ojp.gov