Yavapai-apache nation proposes to implement a new tribal youth program

The Yavapai Apache Nation received a $500,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance to implement a new Tribal Youth Program (CFDA 16.731) over a 5-year period from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2028. The funding will allow the Nation to partner with the Youth Advocate Program, a national organization, to provide a wraparound program that delivers individualized services to at-risk tribal youth. Services will include socialization skills development, decision-making and future preparation, counseling, and family therapy. The program aims to prevent and reduce youth delinquency and truancy by working with local schools to identify at-risk youth and connect them to necessary supports. The majority of the grant funds will be used to subcontract with the Youth Advocate Program to deliver these comprehensive youth services to the Yavapai Apache community in central Arizona.

Because the nation is in a rural area of central arizona, activities for youth are limited. The only current program provides tutoring along with evening and weekend activities. This program has limited resources and cannot reach all youth on the five parcels of land and communities located there. This lack of resources has led to drug and alcohol use, and violence that has become a standard for the nation's youth beginning as early as grade school. Funding will provide additional resources for the current program so all youth in need can be reached. The majority of funding will allow the nation to subcontract with the local youth advocate program. This is a national organization that provides services to youth through their wraparound program. The program will provide individual services to youth in need and support families in their time of need. Services include socialization skills, decision-making and preparing for the future, along with counseling and medical or family therapy. The wraparound program will further enhance the nation's efforts to prevent and reduce youth delinquency and truancy by partnering with schools to help identify at-risk youth and provide services.