NCJ Number
65692
Date Published
1977
Length
13 pages
Annotation
A SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING INTERACTION BETWEEN SERVICES OF THE ARIZONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR ABUSE AND NEGLECT (ACDAN) AND THE INDIAN COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE'S RESERVATIONS IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
BACKGROUND INFORMATION INTRODUCES THE 14 TRIBES LIVING IN ARIZONA AND EXPLAINS THEIR SPECIAL TREATY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHEREBY TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY IS RECOGNIZED AND EACH TRIBE IS ENTITLED TO OPERATE ITS OWN COURTS WITH ITS OWN CODES. TRIBAL-STATE RELATIONS ARE COMPLICATED BY THE TRIBES' OPTION TO ACCEPT OR REJECT STATE-PROVIDED SOCIAL SERVICES ON THE ONE HAND, AND STATE WORKERS' DISDAIN FOR INDIAN LIFESTYLE ON THE OTHER. FURTHER COMPLICATIONS ARISE FROM THE PRESENCE OF VARIOUS FEDERAL AGENCIES, WHICH ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN RULES AND RGULATIONS IN CONTRAST TO TRIBAL CUSTOMS. THE ACDAN PROJECT, HOWEVER, HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO 17 RESERVATIONS AND 1,200 PEOPLE; ITS SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE ON RESERVATIONS UPON REQUEST. BASED ON THE IDEA THAT THE STATE'S MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE IS ITS PEOPLE, ACDAN IS ORGANIZED IN SIX PLANNING DISTRICTS, EMPLOYING COORDINATORS INTENSIVELY TRAINED IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES, COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT, AND ORGANIZATIONAL METHODS. THE PROJECT ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY SOCIAL ACTION, WHICH DRAWS UPON GOVERNMENTAL SOURCES ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. THE SUCCESS OF THE ACDAN COMMUNITY APPROACH IS DUE TO ITS CORRESPONDENCE TO INDIAN ATTITUDES THAT SIMILARLY VALUE COOPERATION, RESOURCE UTILIZATION, THE EXTENDED FAMILY SYSTEM, AND MEMBER COLLABORATION IN THE COMMUNITY PROBLEMSOLVING PROCESS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--MRK)