The current proposal will enhance tribal efforts to prevent and reduce youth delinquency through early identification and intervention for those middle school youth deemed at risk

The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded a $500,000 Project Grant under the Tribal Youth Program (CFDA 16.731) to the Southern Indian Health Council. This 5-year grant (10/1/2023 - 9/30/2028) aims to enhance tribal efforts to prevent and reduce youth delinquency through early identification and intervention for at-risk middle school youth ages 11-13. The proposed program will provide this underserved age group with early intervention services while building strong community connections. Key activities include tribal mentoring, in-depth lessons, and community service projects/presentations to positively impact academic, family, community, and cultural outcomes for participating youth. This grant is one method to create a safe and healthy environment for tribal youth to thrive and decrease the potential for delinquency.

The proposed program will provide middle school youth (ages 1113) with early intervention while simultaneously building strong community connections for those youth. This age group is underrepresented in current outreach efforts, yet is overrepresented in need based on feedback from school administrators, community members, and behavioral health specialists from southern indian health council. The goal for the proposed program is to create safer communities and empower youth to lead productive lives by positively impacting these youth through increasing their academic, family, community, and cultural connections. The program will focus more efforts on other indicators found from evidence-based practices, such as the roles of the currently proposed tribal mentoring, in-depth lessons, and community service projects and presentations. The proposed program is one method that will aim to create a safe and healthy environment for youth to thrive and to decrease the potential for youth delinquency.