BAY mills indian community purpose area #3 tribal justice systems program abstract the BAY mills indian community is a federally recognized tribe located in chippewa county, michigan

The Bay Mills Indian Community received a $898,556 Project Grant award from the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Justice System Infrastructure Program for Indian Tribes (TJSIP) federal grant program. The funding will support the Bay Mills Healing to Wellness Court, a specialized tribal court component that addresses substance abuse issues, from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2027.

Specifically, 75% of the Healing to Wellness Court Coordinator position will be funded to administer the program and coordinate activities with tribal law enforcement, health and human services, the tribal college, and other team members. A Prevention Specialist will also be added to develop, coordinate, and conduct substance abuse prevention/education services for participants. Funding will allow identified gaps in the program to be addressed through surveys and increased coordination across tribal departments, with the goal of the Healing to Wellness Court becoming self-sustaining over time.

The BAY mills healing to wellness court is a specialized court under the BAY mills tribal court division. IT works as a component of the tribal justice system that incorporates and adapts the wellness concept to meet the specific substance abuse needs in the community. BAY mills healing to wellness court focuses on non-violent participant's offenses with drug and/or alcohol-related crimes. The concept of wellness court borrows from traditional problem-solving methods utilized since time immemorial. IT restores the participant to their rightful place as a contributing member of the tribal community. The funding requested will support and enhance the healing to wellness court, which provides an opportunity for participants to address alcohol and drug abuse and its effects on their lives. This is done by establishing a structure and higher level of accountability for qualified cases through drug testing, treatment services, immediate sanctions and incentives, team-based case management, and community support. The additional enhancement will occur via community, participant, and clinician technical surveys and questionnaires to help identify gaps within the program. Recognizing these gaps are critical to developing a program that can keep up with the community's changing needs. Staff members will also work to increase coordination of the program between the various departments of bmic. The healing to wellness court coordinator will continue to be funded by this program at 75% and 25% from the current tribal court budget. The coordinator will continue to complete the planning, development, administration, and monitoring of the BAY mills healing to wellness court. Coordinate activities involving court officials, police health and human services, BAY mills community college, and other team members. The prevention specialist will be responsible for developing, coordinating, and conducting substance abuse prevention and education services for the healing to wellness court participants. The prevention specialist will have added duties and help the healing to wellness court team decide which participants will be admitted into the program. Funding will allow the healing to wellness court to continue as the BAY mills indian community identifies ways to make the program self-sustaining.