Spirit Lake Tribe Victims Services Set Aside Program

DOJ and OVC have long recognized the critical need to support American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) victims of crime. Over time, OVC has conducted a number of tribal consultations and listening sessions to gather input from our AI/AN partners regarding the Crime Victims Fund tribal victim services set-aside. Based on the information gathered, OVC will allocate the FY 2020 funding by an interim discretionary administrative formula. The formula being used was created with significant input from tribal leaders and from the information gathered from the consultations and listening sessions. Under this award, Spirit Lake Tribe requested funding to develop and implement a comprehensive program linking the Spirit Lake Victims Assistance Program with the Tribal Court. With this funding, Spirit Lake Tribe will: 1) hire 1.0 FTE Victim Specialist Criminal Justice Coordinator to work one-on-one with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to identify safety concerns and assess individual needs 2) provide training to victims services providers 3) provide healing art therapy, ceremonies of domestic violence and sexual assault victims and; 4) assess victims' perceptions of service providers response in domestic violence and sexual assault cases; 5) contract a Spiritual Leader artist to develop a series of culturally specific brochures and posters; and 6) provide MMIP services related to searches, emergency costs and resources, counseling, intake, referrals, and more, as needed.