The yurok tribe will utilize funds to enhance diversion of criminal and civil cases to the yurok wellness court by focusing on high-risk and high-needs participants

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded the Yurok Tribe $1 million on October 1, 2025, under the Tribal Justice Assistance program (CFDA 16.596) to enhance diversion of criminal and civil cases to the Yurok Wellness Court.

The Tribe will hire additional personnel to improve intake coordination and case management for high-risk and high-needs participants. The dedicated staff will supervise and monitor program compliance for high-risk participants, coordinate treatment facility intakes, and provide transportation to ensure timely access during critical engagement windows. The work addresses coordination complexity across multiple treatment facilities with distinct requirements and processes, intake delays that hinder participant access, and incarceration complications in early-stage diversion cases.

The award funds activities through September 30, 2030, with performance in Klamath, California. The program supports tribal justice system capacity to prevent crime and ensure tribal safety through justice system development and implementation.

The complexity of coordinating with multiple treatment facilities, each with its own set of requirements and processes, strains the intake process. This can hinder participants' access to treatment without the dedicated time and attention of case workers to assist them. Referrals and intakes to treatment are time-sensitive during critical windows when participants are willing to enter treatment. The process is often further complicated by incarceration during the early stages of criminal diversion cases. By hiring additional personnel, the tribe will be able to ensure compliance with program requirements through adequate supervision and monitoring for high-risk participants. The additional staff will also coordinate intakes and provide transportation to treatment facilities, ensuring timely access for those with high needs.