The cherokee nation's jurisdiction covers 4.5 million acres and encompasses over 500,000 citizens within the boundaries of its reservation

This $600,000 Project Grant awarded by the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs' Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) Office under the Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program (CFDA 16.750) will support the Cherokee Nation's efforts to expand and enhance its sex offender registration and notification systems. The funding will be used to hire personnel to travel and complete sex offender registrations across the tribe's 4.5 million acre reservation, which encompasses over 500,000 citizens in 14 covered counties. Additionally, the grant will provide resources for personnel, fringe benefits, and a vehicle to register the large volume of sex offenders within the reservation boundaries. This project aims to ensure the Cherokee Nation's sex offender registry fully complies with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) requirements.

The tribes SEX offender registry has grown significantly and the tribe struggles to meet the challenge to complete SEX offender registrations in the 14 covered counties. The tribe will use AWA grant funds to hire personnel to travel to complete these registrations. The funds will also support personnel, fringe and a vehicle to register the large amount of SEX offenders within the reservation boundaries.