Cherokee nation will plan and implement a holistic, culturally appropriate juvenile healing to wellness court in order to provide services to support justice-involved youth

The Cherokee Nation will receive $400,000 through a five-year Formula Grant award from the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance to plan and implement a holistic, culturally appropriate Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court program. The program will provide services to support justice-involved youth, working with families and participants to connect them with substance use treatment, mental health treatment, career assistance, educational opportunities, and other appropriate resources. Leveraging available resources, the program will offer a comprehensive, culturally sensitive plan for participants to become productive community members free from substance use. The funding assists the goals of the Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program (CFDA 16.585) to enhance treatment court programs for individuals with substance use disorders involved in the criminal justice system.

The program will work with the families and youth participants to connect them with the services they need to be successful in the program and, ultimately, free from substance use. These services may include court involvement, substance use treatment, mental health treatment, career assistance, educational opportunities, cultural connections, and other appropriate resources. The program will leverage all available resources in order to provide a comprehensive, culturally appropriate plan for participants so they may become productive members of their community.