NDCI’s TRIBAL HEALING TO WELLNESS COURT PLANNING INITIATIVE
Deadline: October 31, 2016
For non-operational courts in the planning stages—apply to receive an intensive three-day training on how to start and operate a Tribal Healing to Wellness Court.
· Are you looking for alternative strategies in responding to alcohol and substance abusers and addicts on tribal lands?
· Would you like specific training to integrate the Drug Court model with your tribal traditions and develop a holistic approach within the tribal justice system?
Today, I am still sober! Words cannot describe how my life has been changed for the good. I am a Proud Sober Yavapai Man who has regained hope and enjoys a life of sobriety. ~Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Graduate
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), in partnership with the NDCI, developed the content of each THWCPI program. In offering training and technical assistance through THWCPI, BJA demonstrates a commitment to working with local jurisdictions to prevent and control substance abuse and crime. A representative from NDCI and an expert practitioner from within the Tribal Healing to Wellness Court system will attend all THWCPI events.
Using THWCPI, NDCI will serve up to 5 jurisdictions. Once capacity is reached, NDCI will place jurisdictions on a wait-list and accept them into THWCPI as space becomes available. Funding for THWCPI is contingent on the availability and amount of that fiscal year’s funding for the Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant program.
Selected jurisdictions will participate in a facilitated 6-month planning process. Each jurisdiction will be required to complete pre-training worksheets, participate in pre-training webinars, attend a 3-day training program, maintain routine correspondence with program staff, and submit an Adult Tribal Healing to Wellness Court implementation plan and draft policy and procedure manual. NDCI will notify jurisdictions of training dates and locations upon their acceptance. The three day onsite training program has been designed to educate participants with the building blocks of Adult Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts and develop a solid adult THWC implementation plan.
Team Member Roles and Responsibilities
To participate in THWCPI, each community must identify ten individuals representing the following disciplines to form a Drug Court planning team:
· Wellness Court coordinator
· Judge
· Prosecutor
· Defense counsel
· Treatment provider
· Community supervision representative
· Law enforcement
· Evaluator/researcher
· Tribal Elder
· Tribal Council Representative
Required Commitment
BJA's investment in this training initiative is dependent upon active participation of all approved THWCPI team members. In addition to completing the pre-training webinar all required team members must attend the entire 3-day training program, team members must work with project staff throughout the planning process and complete a number of pre- and post-training activities at their home jurisdiction. Upon acceptance into the training program, each participating team member must commit to the following:
· Attend a three-day training sessions
· Actively participate in all discussions and training breakouts
· Identify an appropriate substitute if the need arises
· Complete all homework assignments and webinars.
· Respond to all requests for information
· Sign a letter of commitment
In addition, the Wellness Court coordinator must serve as the team point of contact for all THWCPI coordination activities. The coordinator will ensure all relevant information is disseminated to team members in a timely fashion, respond to requests for information, and coordinate with all THWCPI staff and faculty.
THWCPI participants will have regular contact with NDCI during the course of the 6-month planning process. Upon acceptance into the training program, each participating team member and/or agency must sign the NDCI/BJA Commitment Form that includes the following information:
· Agreement that approved team member will attend the required training in its entirety
· Agreement that all team members will complete the pre-training webinars including pre-and-post test.
· Agreement to complete the pre-training homework sheets.
Jurisdictions that are unable or unwilling to fully participate in DCPI may forfeit their eligibility for future NDCI-BJA training events.
Training Costs
There are no costs associated with the training. However, each team is required to provide local training space to host the 3-day training, at no cost to NDCI. NDCI requests that the training site have an LCD projector and screen. If unable to provide a projector and screen, this will not preclude your team from receiving the training. Each approved jurisdiction is requested to provide to NDCI staff a hotel recommendation near the training site.
Contact Us
For further information regarding THWCPI application process and training program, please contact us:
Carolyn Hardin
Chief of Training and Research
571-384-1864