Tribal Youth Program

Congress established TYP in 1999 to address the rising rate of juvenile crime in tribal communities, appropriating $10 million for the program in FY 1999, $12.5 million in FY 2000 and FY 2001, and $12.47 million in FY 2002.³ Before 1999, OJJDP assisted AI/AN tribes through the passthrough of Formula Grants Program funds by the states, discretionary grant funds, and training and technical assistance. However, it did not have a program solely dedicated to the overall goals of preventing and controlling juvenile crime in AI/AN communities and improving tribal juvenile justice systems.

TYP’s objectives are to:

• Provide prevention services to influence risk factors for delinquency.
  
  
• Provide interventions for court-involved youth.
  
  
• Improve tribal juvenile justice systems.
  
  
• Provide prevention programs that focus on alcohol and drugs.

In FY 2000, OJJDP awarded TYP grants totaling approximately $8 million to 38 tribal communities. Awards ranged from $73,352 to $498,475, based on the size of the AI/AN service population living on or near a particular reservation. A broad spectrum of tribal communities responded to the FY 2000 TYP solicitation—an indication that OJJDP is achieving its goal of working with tribal communities of various population sizes and geographic locations. The marked increase in the number of applications from Alaska and in first-time applicants for TYP funds further reflects the success of OJJDP’s outreach efforts.

In FY 2001, OJJDP awarded grants totaling approximately $8 million to 30 AI/AN communities to develop programs to prevent and control juvenile delinquency in AI/AN communities and improve tribal juvenile justice systems. Applications were invited from federally recognized tribes and from corporations representing Alaska Native villages. Awards (for a 3-year grant period) varied depending on the size of the AI/AN service population living on or near a particular reservation.

In FY 2002, OJJDP awarded 43 grants through TYP. Although OJJDP issued a single solicitation to cover both TYP and the TYP Mental Health Project funding in FY 2002, applicants were required to submit separate applications for TYP (Part A) and Mental Health (Part B) funding. OJJDP received 68 Part A applications and 16 Part B applications. As in FY 1999–2001, eligible applicants included federally recognized tribes, consortiums of federally recognized tribes, and corporations that represent Alaska Native villages, and grantees were funded for a 3-year budget and program period.

The sidebar on page 2 presents examples of TYP-funded projects. The examples illustrate the diverse activities undertaken by grantees since the TYP program began in FY 1999.

OJJDP's Tribal Youth Initiatives	OJJDP Bulletin • May 2003