The cherokee nation will use funds to implement a judicially supervised cherokee nation mental health treatment court in the cherokee nation reservation

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded Cherokee Nation $1 million on October 1, 2025, under the Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program (CFDA 16.585) to implement a judicially supervised Cherokee Nation Mental Health Treatment Court on the Cherokee Nation Reservation through September 30, 2030.

Cherokee Nation will develop a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, evidence-based mental health treatment court to reduce use and overdose of opioids, stimulants, and other substances among high-risk, high-need justice-involved Native Americans with underlying mental health disorders. The project activities include development of a pre-plea model diversionary treatment court utilizing evidence-based risk and need screenings and assessments; deployment of a graduated system of sanctions and incentives; and enhancement of collaborative partnerships to promote compliance with rehabilitative programs and continued recovery support services. Expected outcomes include reduction in overdoses and substance use, reduction in relapse, reduction in rearrests and days spent in county jails, reduction of high-risk cases referred for less restrictive supervision, and reduction of mentally ill Native Americans sentenced to prison.

Performance occurs in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. This is a Project Grant assistance type.

The tribes will develop a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, evidence-based mental health treatment court to reduce use and overdose of opioids, stimulants, and other substancesamong high risk, high need justice-involved native americans having an underlying mental health disorder. Cherokee nation seeks to address the root causes of crime, while promoting well-being. Project activities include development of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary pre-plea model diversionary treatment court utilizing evidence-based risk/need screenings and assessments in the criminal justice process; use of graduated system of sanctions and incentives; and enhancing collaborative partnerships to promote compliance with rehabilitative programs and continued recovery support services. Project deliverables and expected outcomes include reduction in overdoses and use of opioids, stimulants, and other substances; reduction in relapse; reduction in rearrests and days spent incarcerated in county jails; reduction of high risk, high need cases referred for less restrictive supervision; reduction of mentally ILL native americans sentenced to prison.