October 2011

With funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, as part of its Models for Change initiative, the Native American Law Center at the University of Washington School of Law is working to promote systems reform in tribal juvenile justice systems. As part of this effort, we aim to create a Partnership of Tribal Juvenile Justice Professionals, which will serve as a national clearinghouse for information about tribal juvenile justice issues and initiatives. You are receiving this newsletter because we would like to include you as a member of this Partnership.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING

In addition to posting updates regarding ongoing initiatives, training opportunities, research, grants and other funding sources, the Native American Law Center is committed to providing training and technical assistance to support tribal juvenile justice systems. We are available for consultation regarding grant applications, and we will be hosting a series of webinars to provide resources and training for tribal juvenile justice professionals including prosecutors, defense attorneys and lay advocates, judges, probation and law enforcement officers, counselors and other service providers.

To sign up for one or both of our upcoming webinars, to schedule a consultation, or to request additional information, please email Natalie Migliarini, Project Coordinator for the Native American Law Center, at natmig@uw.edu.

Webinar: Working with Prosecutors
Presented by Susan Broderick
Thursday, November 3, 2011
10 am PST

Susan Broderick is the Project Director of the Models for Change Initiative at Georgetown University’s Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, and was formerly Deputy Bureau Chief in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. She works closely with prosecutors and multi-disciplinary team members from across the country to educate and coordinate their efforts on all aspects juvenile justice reform, including the issue of substance abuse. This webinar will explore the critical role that prosecutors play with regard to substance abuse issues in juvenile court, and dispel the notion that prosecutors are only concerned with “locking kids up.”

Ms. Broderick will highlight the role of prosecutors in diverting youth from the juvenile justice system, and their efforts to find alternatives that address underlying issues in order to prevent youth from returning to court. The webinar will also offer specific strategies that will encourage engagement and collaboration to create a true multi-disciplinary response to the national problem of substance abuse among youth.

Webinar: Toward a Model Tribal Youth Code
Presented by Ron Whitener and Matt Ficcaglia
Friday, December 2, 2011
10 am PST

Ron Whitener is an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Washington School of Law, where he is Director of the Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic and Assistant Director of the Native American Law Center. Matt Ficcaglia is a staff attorney for the Native American Law Center and is currently guiding the development of a Model Tribal Youth Code in collaboration with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians; he is also working toward the implementation of a Remote Representation Pilot in the Quinault Nation Tribal Court. This webinar offers participants the opportunity to preview a working draft of the delinquency portion of the Model Code. Professor Whitener and Mr. Ficcaglia will explain the central goals of the project, highlight key provisions of the current draft, identify particular challenges and issues that remain to be addressed, and solicit the input and ideas of webinar participants.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES

Funding Opportunity (Department of Health and Human Services)
Interventions for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Native American Populations Announcement

Upcoming Training Institute (Global Youth Justice)
Establish or Enhance a Local Teen Court/Youth Court Diversion Program Information

Webinar (National Center for Justice Planning)
Using Evidence Informed Principles in Juvenile Justice: Lowering Recidivism, Reducing Secure Detention and Promoting Positive Youth Development Information

Bulletin (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention)
Trying Juveniles as Adults: An Analysis of State Transfer Laws and Reporting Available

WELCOME TO THE PARTNERSHIP OF TRIBAL JUVENILE JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS

It is our pleasure to welcome you as an inaugural member of the Partnership of Tribal Juvenile Justice Professionals. If you know of anyone else who may be interested in receiving these newsletters, please feel free to forward them a copy of this issue.

For more information about the Native American Law Center, please visit our web site, where you can learn about our other efforts to assist tribes in achieving better outcomes for youth involved in their juvenile justice systems.