DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AWARDS MORE THAN $28 MILLION TO ASSIST TRIBAL COMMUNITIES WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUSTICE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

     WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Justice today announced awards of more than $28 million to the nation's tribal communities for law enforcement and justice system improvements. These awards include funds for tribal courts assistance, alcohol and substance abuse prevention, juvenile and mental health programs and victim assistance.

     "These awards will assist tribal governments and communities as they respond to and improve criminal justice services for adults and juveniles," said Regina B. Schofield, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "We must do everything within our power to support families and communities in their efforts to maintain safe and healthy communities as well as provide assistance to crime victims."

     The grant amounts and purposes are as follows:

• $8 million awarded through the Tribal Courts Assistance Program to assist tribal justice systems to establish a core structure; improve case management; train court personnel; improve prosecution and indigent defense; support probation diversion and alternative sentencing programs; and focus on juvenile services.
  
  
• $7.5 million awarded through the Tribal Youth Program, which helps tribal communities prevent juvenile delinquency, reduce violent crime, and improve tribal juvenile justice systems.
  
  
• $5 million awarded through the Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Demonstration Program to help control and prevent crimes associated with the distribution and use of alcohol and controlled substances in tribal communities.
  
  
• $3.3 million awarded for continuation funding for Indian Country Discretionary Grant Programs, which provide accessible, direct and responsive victim assistance services on Indian reservations.
  
  
• $2 million awarded to the Children's Justice Act Partnership for Indian Communities to continue improvements in tribal criminal justice systems for investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases, particularly incidents of child sexual abuse.
  
  
• $1.2 million awarded through the Tribal Youth Mental Health Program, which provides substance abuse prevention, intervention and mental health services to youths who are involved or at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system.
  
  
• $1.1 million awarded through the Tribal Juvenile Accountability Discretionary Program, which helps tribes strengthen their juvenile justice systems by ensuring that youth are held accountable for their offenses.
  
  

     The grants are administered by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime. The initiatives enhance tribal criminal and juvenile justice systems, improve the handling of child abuse cases and service delivery to victims of crime, and support tribal efforts through technical assistance and training. Additionally, OJP's American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Desk supports outreach to tribal communities, which includes helping tribes access grant funding opportunities.

     The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP is headed by an Assistant Attorney General and comprises five component bureaus and two offices: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and the Office for Victims of Crime, as well as the Office of the Police Corps and Law Enforcement Education and the Community Capacity Development Office, which incorporates the Weed and Seed strategy and OJP's American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Desk. More information can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov.

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