Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma: Children's Justice Act Partnership Act for Indian Communities.

The Children's Justice Act (CJA) Partnerships for Indian Communities Grant Program (Victims of Crime Act of 1984, Section 1402(g), 34 U.S.C. 20101(g) supports American Indian and Alaska Native communities for the purpose of improving the investigation, prosecution, and handling of child abuse cases, especially cases of child sexual abuse, in a manner that increases support for and lessens trauma to child abuse victims. The funding further supports programs to provide comprehensive and coordinated multidisciplinary responses to child abuse victims and provide trauma-informed, culturally competent, holistic services to child abuse victims and their families.

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma requested funding to expand services provided by their Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Program and train law enforcement so that they are better equipped to investigate child abuse cases. With this funding, the applicant will hire a caseworker, send law enforcement and ICW staff to trainings on forensic interviewing and other issues related to crimes against children, update their juvenile code to include issues related to child victimization, hire a contractor to conduct a community needs assessment, and provide direct services to child victims and their families including cultural sewing therapy, play therapy, and emergency food, clothing, and baby/child supplies. (CA/NCF)