NCJ Number
212432
Date Published
2005
Length
102 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from the Tribal Youth Evaluation Facilitation Project (TYEFP), which focused on how five American Indian/Alaska Native tribes have implemented the U.S. Congress' Tribal Youth Program (TYP), which was established to prevent juvenile delinquency among the tribes and improve tribal juvenile justice systems.
Abstract
The five tribes involved in the TYEFP were the Eastern Aleutian Tribes, Inc. (Alaska), the Hannahville Indian Community (Michigan), the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (Washington), the Navajo Nation (Arizona), and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians (Washington). The TYEFP's primary goals were to provide direction, training, and technical assistance to local Program Assessment Teams for a model of evaluation that includes both the processes and outcomes of the TYP; to analyze the structure and operations of the juvenile justice system/tribal justice system and identify the location and function of the TYP activities within these systems; and to analyze the relationships between the tribes and county, State, and Federal government agencies as well as other entities as they relate to juvenile justice responsibilities and operations. This report describes the TYEFP procedures used to achieve these goals. Although there were significant differences in the features of the five tribes' juvenile justice systems and TYP delinquency prevention programs, there were some common themes. Federal Public Law 280, which delegates Federal jurisdiction in Indian Country to five States, hindered the development of tribal justice systems; whereas, the tribes not influenced by PL-280 had developed comprehensive justice systems. Other findings were that tribes have inadequate resources for effective youth services; the strengthening of parent-youth relationships is a top priority; relationships with non-Native communities is significant in providing resources for tribal youth; the revitalization of Native culture is imperative; tribal courts have staffing issues; and adequate onsite juvenile detention facilities are needed. 5 figures, a 5-item bibliography, and appended contact lists, discussion guide outlines, a list of interviewees, and juvenile justice system flowcharts