The central council of the tlingit and haida indian tribes of alaska (tlingit & haida) will use funds to strengthen its tribal access program (TAP) by addressing critical staffing shortages that…

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska $900,000 on October 1, 2025, under the Tribal Justice Assistance program (CFDA 16.596) to strengthen its Tribal Access Program by addressing staffing shortages.

The Tribal Access Program provides the tribe's justice and public safety functions access to national crime databases including the National Crime Information Center. The award funds new personnel to support departments utilizing the system, including tribal courts, village public safety officers, tribal law enforcement, social services, housing, reentry and recovery, and human resources. These staff additions will reduce processing delays and outsourcing costs, improve data processing turnaround times, ensure compliance with Department of Justice and Criminal Justice Information Services standards, and reduce dependency on external agencies for critical functions including timely protection order issuance, background checks, and child, employee, and public safety measures.

The recipient is a federally recognized tribal government representing approximately 34,000 tribal citizens across Southeast Alaska. Work is performed in Juneau, Alaska, within the Tlingit and Haida service area in Southeast Alaska. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030.

The central council of the tlingit and haida indian tribes of alaska (tlingit & haida) will use funds to strengthen its tribal access program (TAP) by addressing critical staffing shortages that have hindered full implementation. The TAP system provides access to national crime databases such as the national crime information center and is vital to the tribe's ability to issue timely protection orders, conduct background checks, and ensure the safety of children, employees, and the public. However, limited staff capacity has resulted in processing delays, outsourcing costs, and reduced efficiency in key departments. This project will serve southeast alaska, specifically the tlingit & haida service area, including tribal courts, village public safety officers, tribal law enforcement, social services, housing, reentry & recovery, and human resources. The proposed initiative will employ new personnel to provide direct support to departments utilizing TAP, ensuring compliance with DOJ and criminal justice information services standards, improving data processing turnaround times, and reducing dependency on external agencies.no conference activities are planned for this award.