With the goal of advancing the implementation and sustainability of Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts, this document provides an overview of the first year of Promising Strategies programming, for training and technical assistance for Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts; and it discusses the challenges, lessons learned, and plans for the Mentor Court program’s future.
This document seeks to highlight the process of implementing a peer-to-peer learning program as an Indigenous teaching method, and to advance the implementation and maintainability of Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts (THWCs) across the United States. The document serves as an overview of the first year of programming, providing Promising Strategies for training and technical assistance (TTA) for THWCs, with a holistic focus on justice. The programs featured in this document went through a rigorous selection process that was guided by specific criteria aimed at identifying exemplary models of THWCs, including: adherence to the 10 Key Components of Healing to Wellness Programs; incorporation of Best Practices for Adult Treatment Courts; and Innovation and Traditional Practices. Based on those criteria, the following programs were selected and are discussed in this publication: The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and Waabshki Miigwan Healing to Wellness Court; Tulalip Healing to Wellness Court; and Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Court Program. The document is organized into the following sections: an overview of THWCs; mentor court program planning; founding Tribal Healing to Wellness Mentor Court programs; Tribal Healing to Wellness Mentor Court operations; reflections from the past to future, including lessons learned; and additional resources.