OJJDP FY 2008 Tribal Youth Program

The Tribal Youth Program (TYP) supports and enhances tribal efforts to prevent and control delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth. This program is authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-161. TYP is part of the Indian Country Law Enforcement Initiative, a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ) and the Interior to improve law enforcement and the administration of criminal and juvenile justice in Indian country. While violent crime arrest rates have declined throughout the United States, they continue to rise in Indian country. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ publication American Indians and Crime, A BJS Statistical Profile, 1992–2002 (Perry, 2004), in general violent crime is at a rate twice that of the general population. Of particular concern to tribes and the federal government, especially the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), is the disproportionate number of violent crimes committed by and against juveniles in Indian country. For example, among American Indians and Alaska Natives age 12 to 17, the aggression and victimization rates are significantly higher than all other racial groups in the same age range. Thus, the Indian Country Law Enforcement Initiative and OJJDP seek to enhance law enforcement in Indian country and improve the quality of life in tribal communities as a means to address these problems. Since fiscal year (FY) 1999, OJJDP has awarded 296 grants to tribes throughout the nation to develop and implement efficient and effective delinquency prevention programs, interventions for court involved youth, improvements to the juvenile justice system, alcohol and substance abuse prevention programs, and emotional behavioral program services. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with community- and faith-based organizations to promote greater sustainability of resources, long-term partnership, and additional assets to benefit tribal youth. This effort seeks to enhance and expand tribal resources to implement innovative, effective and efficient strategies and programs to support tribal youth.