Wellness Court Enhacement Training

2024 Training Materials

Combined Trainings Agenda (PDF)Combined Trainings Agenda at-a-glance (PDF)

September 18-20, 2024

A1 - Adult Healing to Wellness Courts

Criminal Thinking: Identifying Drivers and Interventions- An Overview (PowerPoint PDF)

Michelle Hart, Training Consultant/Deputy Chief Probation Officer, ret., Michelle Hart Consulting & Arizona Association of Drug Court Professionals

Session Description: As research states, the population that does best in all treatment court types are the high risk/high need individuals. Standardized and validated risk assessments should be used to determine eligibility and drive supervision and interventions specific to criminogenic needs or risk factors. Participants in our treatment courts may have the same or similar risk scores, but what drives the scores, and corresponding criminogenic needs is very individualized. Addressing criminal thinking is just as important as providing clinical treatment. This workshop will give an overview of the different criminal or antisocial thinking and attitudes, demonstrate a core correctional practice that will help identify specific drivers and interventions.

A2 - Role Specific to Healing to Wellness Courts

Risk Assessments and Recovery Capital: Utilizing Client Risk and Protective Factors for Effective Case Management (PowerPoint PDF)

Alyssa Harrold, Wellness Court Specialist, Tribal Law and Policy Institute

Session Description: This presentation will focus on effectively using risk assessments and recovery capital in case management. By integrating these elements, the Tribal Healing to Wellness Court (THWC) team can promote a client-centered approach that supports THWC clients holistically, enhances their recovery journey, and facilitates meaningful improvements. Learning objectives will include how motivational interviewing can enrich risk assessment practices, provide strategies for balancing recovery capital with risk management, and examine techniques for measuring and seeing progress. Through practical insights and success stories, participants will learn to apply these concepts to optimize case management outcomes.

A3 – Family/Veterans Healing to Wellness Courts

Grant Writing Workshop: Selling Your Healing to Wellness Court Program (PowerPoint PDF)

Dr. Christina Lanier, Co-Director, National Drug Court Resource Center

Dr. Kristen DeVall, Co-Director, National Drug Court Resource Center

Session Description: This skill-building session will give you an overview of federal grant proposal components and examples of required sections. We will begin with a discussion of grant planning activities so that you are prepared to apply. This will be followed by strategies for writing a compelling statement of the issue using data to support your need for funding. Often the most heavily weighted section of any grant proposal is the project design or implementation approach. To this end, this session will focus on how to use various data sources to identify specific areas of need and to devise an appropriate implementation strategy for addressing those needs.

A4 - Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts

Native/Tribal Strengths-Based Approaches, Elders and Elder’s Panels in Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts (PowerPoint PDF)

Selina Kenmille, Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court Program Coordinator, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Loretta Hoots, Bureau of Indian Affairs/ National Monitoring Center Manager, Natural Resource Department Safety of Dams Program

Session Description: This session will cover the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Tribal Restorative Practices, as part of their Juvenile Healing to Wellness Program. The program uses Elders Panels and mentoring to help youth repair from hurt and harm.

B1 - Adult Healing to Wellness Courts

Practical Guide to Understanding Incentives, Sanctions and Service Adjustments (PowerPoint PDF)

Susan Alameda, Project Director, All Rise
Michelle Hart, Training Consultant/Deputy Chief Probation Officer, ret., Michelle Hart Consulting & Arizona Association of Drug Court Professionals

Session Description: This session will address how the treatment court can effectively apply evidence-based and procedurally fair behavior modification practices that are proven to be safe and effective for high-risk and high-need persons. Incentives and sanctions, as outlined in Standard IV of the Adult Treatment Court Best Practice Standards, are delivered to enhance adherence to program goals and conditions that participants can achieve and sustain with relative ease and for a reasonable time (proximal goals). Service adjustments are delivered to help participants achieve goals that are too difficult for them to accomplish currently and require time and assistance to master (distal goals). Utilizing the Staffing Framework, teams can address participant behavior, set program goals, and choose safe and effective responses.

B2 - Role Specific to Healing to Wellness Courts

Weaving the Peer Recovery Advocate into the Braided Services Wellness Court Team (PowerPoint PDF)

Room Location: Phoenix Ballroom AB, 3rd level

Hon. Rhonda Decontie, Magistrate Judge, Penobscot Nation Tribal Courts

Kylee Francis Fowler, Peer Recover Advocate, Penobscot Nation Tribal Courts

Session Description: This presentation will discuss the construction and maintenance of the Braided Services/Multi-Disciplinary Team in a Healing to Wellness Court. As part of the discussion Judge Decontie will discuss the role of the Judge in developing positive Wellness Team dynamics. The conversation will then turn to the importance of including a Peer Recovery Advocate on the Wellness Team. Peer Recovery Advocate Kylee Francis Fowler will share her journey to becoming a Peer Recovery Advocate. Having an alumni of Wellness Court serve as an advocate has been instrumental in building relationships with participants. The advocate has been through the program and has first-hand knowledge of all the requirements. Penobscot has had tremendous success and will share how this position has strengthened their team.

B3 - Family/Veterans Healing to Wellness Courts

Veterans Treatment Courts: National Trends, Promising Practices, and Considerations for Tribal Adaptations (PowerPoint PDF)

Alisha Morrison, Senior Program Manager, Tribal Justice Exchange, Center for Justice Innovation
Shelia McCarthy, Senior Program Manager, Recovery and Reform, Center for Justice Innovation

Session Description: Session Description: Since 2019, The Center for Justice Innovation (Center) has worked with 10 states to strengthen and enhance Veterans Treatment Courts (VTCs) statewide. Working in two cohorts, the Center facilitated a fact finding and action planning process to identify common issues that impact VTCs and develop state-specific blueprints. Through this process, several national trends emerged. In conjunction, American University has partnered with some of the Center’s cohort to pilot a revolutionary risk screening tool and assessment specifically designed for the veteran population. Opportunities for programs to join the pilot program will be discussed. In this session Center staff will highlight lessons learned from the field that are unique to the veteran population and the solutions developed in response. Those solutions have the potential to impact all VTC practitioners, from the bench to the community. Center staff will also explore the unique opportunities for working with veterans through a healing to wellness court model and provide examples and considerations from the field for implementation and adaptation.

B4 - Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts

The Intrusion of Fentanyl in Our Society and what Juvenile Healing to Wellness Teams Need to Know (PowerPoint PDF)

Stephanie Meyer, Surveillance Officer, Pinal County Adult Probation

Session Description: This session will cover the need to be informed about the fatal risks of fentanyl use, the proper use of Narcan (Naloxone), and the reality that fentanyl affects everyone. The goal of the presentation is to raise awareness and hope in our Tribal communities. Narcan (Naloxone) saves lives, and with proper training and harm reduction education the hope is destigmatize and reduce overdose deaths in our communities.

C1 - Adult Healing to Wellness Courts

Using Anishinaabe Culture to Support Recovery Principles (PowerPoint PDF)

Matthew Lesky, Attorney, Court Administrator, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Court
Kevin Gasco, Male Cultural Resource Advisor, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Court
Miigwaans Smith, Female Cultural Resource Advisor, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Court

Session Description: The Waabhski-Miigwan Healing to Wellness Court has a foundational principle of utilizing culture as a basis of programming, an increasing practice among Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts (THTWC) as they reclaim their indigenous sovereignty. This presentation will discuss how changes in the approach to the incorporation of culture over time have led to better outcomes for clients and a growth in recovery capital outside of the program and the use of a cultural assessment tool. The presenters will also be highlighting the importance of land-based activities and having clients putting their hands “on the work.”

C2 - Role Specific to Healing to Wellness Courts

The Road to Success: Treatment Court Coordinator Bootcamp (PowerPoint PDF)

Kendall Friend, Senior Court Management Consultant, National Center for State Courts
Lisa Williams, Senior Court Management Consultant, National Center for State Courts

Session Description: Court coordinators wear several hats, but how do they efficiently and effectively execute tasks? New and experienced coordinators will master best practices in collaborating with team members, managing day-to-day tasks, engaging with treatment providers and the community. This session will explore how to effectively work with peer support and alumni groups to increase sustainability and long-term support for the program and its participants.

C3 - Family/Veterans Healing to Wellness Courts

Empowering Early Connections for Strong Futures: Integrating Child Development in Child Welfare Systems (PowerPoint PDF) (Handout)

Marshalle Manriquez, Statewide Safe Babies Court Teams Coordinator, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona
Meghan Hays Davis, Program and Training Director, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona

Session Description: Early experiences really matter. In this session we will discuss intentional systems integration that supports the crosswalk between child development and child welfare. We will highlight the work that is happening in Arizona under Best for Babies and discuss the ZERO TO THREE Safe Babies approach that helps guide our work. This approach is changing lives by transforming child welfare into the practice of child “well-being” using the science of early childhood development. By working together, we can ensure that young children benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development, laying a strong foundation for the rest of their lives.

C4 - Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts

Engagement and Community Belonging: The Power of Culture to Restore and Re-integrate Disenfranchised Youth (PowerPoint PDF)

Patti Buhl, Director, Department of Juvenile Justice, Cherokee Nation

Leah Hitcher, Coordinator Juvenile Healing to Wellness, Cherokee Nation

Session Description: This session will cover how the Cherokee Nation Tribal Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court (JHWC) uses culture in their rehabilitation process. The presenters will share case studies demonstrating how their engagement techniques have been instrumental in helping shift youth and family member attitudes with respect to the disciplinary and justice systems.

Plenary

Reflections from former Wellness Court Judge on the Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Movement

(PowerPoint PDF)

Gary E LaRance, former Chief Judge of the Hopi Tribal Courts and Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court Judge for Hopi Youth Wellness Court

Plenary Description: The presenter will share reflections on the Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Movement and Development of the Hopi Youth Wellness Court and Bishop Paiute Drug Court.

D1 - Adult Healing to Wellness Courts

Thriving as a Human Being: Tools to Better Connect with Ourselves and Serving Our Communities (PowerPoint PDF)(Handouts)

Victor Reyes, District Judge, (Ret.) 10th Judicial, Colorado, Mahakaruna Holistic Foundation

Session Description: The presenter will provide an understanding of what it means to thrive as a human being while highlighting emotions of adversity, compassion, sympathy and empathy to connect to ourselves as tribal healing to wellness court practitioners. The presenter will discuss the effects of trauma, disconnection and understanding why people may act or think in a certain way as it relates to serving the community and healing to wellness court clients. Participants of the session will engage in introspective practices designed to enhance self- realizations for both the provider and the customer.

D2 - Role Specific to Healing to Wellness Courts

Reclaiming Indigenous Justice: Mentor Court Roundtable (PowerPoint PDF)

Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Court Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Program
Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians Tribal Court
Tulalip Tribal Court

Alyssa Harrold, Tribal Wellness Court Specialist, Tribal Law and Policy Institute

Session Description: The Mentor Court Roundtable will feature a storytelling facilitation process to highlight the innovative strategies and foundational cultural principles of Mentor Court Healing to Wellness Programs, aimed at reclaiming Indigenous Justice. Moderated by Tribal Law and Policy Institute staff member Alyssa Harrold, the session will highlight experiences and strategies from Mentor Courts, including the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Tulalip, and Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Court Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Program. Participants will engage in peer-to-peer learning, exploring best practices within a culturally appropriate framework.

D3 - Family/Veterans Healing to Wellness Courts

Why Values Matter: Using the Collaborative Values Inventory to Improve Services for Families (PowerPoint PDF)

Will Blakeley, Program Associate, Center for Children and Family Futures
Ashay Shah, Senior Program Associate, Center for Children and Family Futures

Session Description: The subject of how substance use, and mental health disorder affects a person’s ability to parent is value laden. Different people bring vastly different outlooks and perspectives to this issue based on factors like professional training and experience, personal background, and the philosophy of the agency or organization in which they are employed. These differing perspectives can create barriers to working together, and all too often, collaborative teams carry out their work without discussing these differences. The Center for Children and Family Futures and the Tribal Law and Policy Institute developed the Indian Country Collaborative Values Inventory (IC-CVI) to help teams overcome these barriers. The IC-CVI assesses differences in culture, values and worldview, communication styles, and understandings about family and community. This session will describe the IC-CVI, provide specific examples of how the tool has been used, and give attendees an opportunity to use the tool live.

D4 - Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts

Native Adolescent Development and the Implications for Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts and Programs (PowerPoint PDF)

Erin Thin Elk, Tribal Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court TA Specialist, Tribal Youth Resource Center, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
Ashley Anderson, Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court T/TA Specialist, Tribal Youth Resource Center, Tribal Law and Policy Institute

Session Description: This presentation will cover the topic of adolescent brain development and its influence on adolescent decision-making processes. The presenters seek to empower Tribes/Tribal Courts/communities and families to implement trauma-informed practices and to tailor effective services. Juvenile Healing two Wellness Courts and Programs play a critical role in nurturing positive youth development. By recognizing the significance of adolescent brain development and its influence on decision making, interventions can better support youth in navigating challenges and building resilience.

E1 - Adult Healing to Wellness Courts

Healing to Wellness Roadmap; A Start to Finish Overview (PowerPoint PDF) (Handout)

Peter Boome, Associate Judge, Tulalip Tribal Court
Christine Frausto, Associate Judge, Tulalip Tribal Court

Session Description: This session will guide attendees through a Wellness Court case, from initial referral to successful graduation. The presenters will navigate attendees through each step, offering invaluable insights and guidance along the way, as well as share checklists, forms, and the participant handbook.

E2 - Role Specific to Healing to Wellness Courts

BJA Listening Session

Ingrid Lara-Madison, Supervisory Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance
Patricia Thackston, Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance

Session Description: The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is conducting Listening Sessions in order to solicit recommendations from training participants on the following topics:

BJA’s tribal assistance funding.
Ways that BJA can make its funding more accessible to federally recognized tribes.
Adding a new Purpose Area to the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) to support the development, implementation, and enhancement of treatment courts.
Interest in BJA allowing tribes to designate nonprofit organizations to apply for BJA’s CTAS Purpose Areas on behalf of tribes.

These are the same topics that will be addressed at the Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation on Monday, November 18, 2024, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm, at the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder in Santa Fe, NM. The BJA Consultation will take place the day immediately prior to the Office on Violence Against Women’s 19th annual Violence Against Women Act Consultation. More details are provided in the Tribal Leader invitation letter from BJA Director Karhlton Moore.

E3 - Family/Veterans Healing to Wellness Courts

Meeting the Needs of Native Veterans – Facilitating Access to Veteran Affairs Services (PowerPoint PDF)

Angella Bates, Veteran Justice Outreach Coordinator, Department of Veteran Affairs
Ellyn Black, Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator, Department of Veteran Affairs
Kyla Lout, Veterans Justice Outreach Peer Specialist, Department of Veteran Affairs

Session Description: : Native Americans serve in the U.S. Armed Services at a higher rate than any other group. A 2016 Veterans Affairs (VA) tribal consultation identified treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health as a top priority for Native American Veterans in their communities. Both Native Veterans and Justice Involved Veterans were identified as “heavily impacted groups” in Veteran Affairs’ 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Additionally, most Veterans who died by suicide in 2021 did not receive VA services in the two years prior. This presentation will provide an overview of VA ‘s services for Veterans, Veterans Justice Program and assistance available through Veterans Justice Outreach. The presenters will highlight partnerships providing direct services to Native Veterans and will also facilitate a conversation about needs of justice involved Veterans in tribal and Veterans courts – and how VA can best partner with communities to meet those needs.

E4 - Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts

Developing an Assessment Tool for Juvenile Healing to Wellness (JHW) Courts that is Trauma Informed (PowerPoint PDF)

Erin Thin Elk, Tribal Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court TA Specialist, Tribal Youth Resource Center, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
Pat Sekaquaptewa, Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court T/TA Manager, Tribal Youth Resource Center, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
Amy Foster Wolferman, M.Ed., Director of School-Based Training and Technical Assistance, National Native Children’s Trauma Center
Kara Pasqua, MLS, Training and Technical Assistance Specialist, National Native Children’s Trauma Center

Session Description: This session will overview the work to develop a self-assessment tool for Juvenile Healing to Wellness (JHW) Courts and Programs to use in assessing and restructuring their approaches and processes to ensure that they are trauma informed. The presenters will use SAMHSA’s “Six Guiding Principles to a Trauma-informed Approach,” and the “Ten Domains” to explore this topic.

F2 - Role Specific to Healing to Wellness Courts

Returning to Hózhó: How Peacemakers Restore Harmony and Balance through the Navajo Peacemaking Program Part 1 (PowerPoint PDF) (Handout)

Harry Begay, Traditional Program Specialist, Dzil Yijiin Peacemaking Program, Navajo Nation
Anna Scott, Traditional Program Specialist, Dzil Yijiin Peacemaking Program, Navajo Nation

Session Description: Peacemaking is the Diné traditional method for solving problems between people. It uses the core principles of Traditional Diné Teachings as they were practiced long before the Long Walk - Hweeldi. Navajo Fundamental Law, traditions, and culture are all brought into Peacemaking. The participants work with a Peacemaker or Traditional Program Specialist to discuss the problems or events. Participants restore Hózhó (harmony and balance) through talking it out and using traditional values, thinking about the impacts of the events on everyone involved, seeking forgiveness, and focusing on the well- being of their families, Clan, and the Diné community. This session will explore the philosophy, values, concepts, and framework of the Navajo Nation Peacemaking Program and their practices; and engage attendees in a discussion about how these practices are being implemented by the Navajo Nation. Participants will be able to participate in a mock peacemaking session and gain a hands-on understanding of the Navajo peacemaking process.

F3 - Family/Veterans Healing to Wellness Courts

Office Hours / BJA Listening Session

Ingrid Lara-Madison, Supervisory Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance
Patricia Thackston, Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance

Session Description: The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is conducting Listening Sessions in order to solicit recommendations from training participants on the following topics:

BJA’s tribal assistance funding.
Ways that BJA can make its funding more accessible to federally recognized tribes.
Adding a new Purpose Area to the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) to support the development, implementation, and enhancement of treatment courts.
Interest in BJA allowing tribes to designate nonprofit organizations to apply for BJA’s CTAS Purpose Areas on behalf of tribes.

This session also includes Performance Measurement Platform (PMP) Office Hours. If you have a question on the Office of Justice Programs - PMP system, a PMP Representative will be available virtually to answer your questions

F4 - Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts

Breaking Down the Stigma around Medication Assisted Treatments (MAT) and Leveraging MATs to Support Native/Tribal Adolescents in their Recovery Journeys (PowerPoint PDF)

Dr. Anjali Nandi, Consultant, National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College

Session Description: This session will provide an overview of opiate addiction, and the role of medication assisted treatments (MATs). The presenters will review recent research on effective treatment strategies for opioid addiction, with particular emphasis on adolescents. They will compare common myths and misconceptions about MATs. They will also review a specific tribal program model and their cultural approaches to MATs.

G1 - Adult Healing to Wellness Courts

An Overview of the 2024 Census of Tribal Court Systems

Steven Perry, Statistician, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice

Session Description: The Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) of 2010 required Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) to establish and implement a tribal rime data collection system. The Census of Tribal Court Systems (CTCS) is BJS first statistical collection to focus solely on tribal court systems operating in the United States. National Opinion Research Center (NORC) has partnered with the National American Indian Court Judges Association, international Association of Chiefs of Polices and the Tribal Law and Policy Institute to conduct the 2024 Census of Tribal Law Enforcement and 2024 Census of Tribal Court Systems (CTCS). The presentation is geared toward tribal leaders, court judges, clerks and administrators to include program support staff.

G2 - Role Specific to Healing to Wellness Courts

Returning to Hózhó: How Peacemakers Restore Harmony and Balance through the Navajo Peacemaking Program Part 2

Harry Begay, Traditional Program Specialist, Dzil Yijiin Peacemaking Program, Navajo Nation
Anna Scott, Traditional Program Specialist, Dzil Yijiin Peacemaking Program, Navajo Nation

G3 - Family/Veterans Healing to Wellness Courts

Family Healing to Wellness Court Community of Practice: Peer to peer connection with colleagues serving families in their communities! (PowerPoint PDF)

Will Blakeley, Program Associate, Center for Children and Family Futures
Ashay Shah, Senior Program Associate, Center for Children and Family Futures
Kristina Pacheco, Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Specialist, Tribal Law and Policy Institute

Session Description: Join us for the first ever in-person Family Healing to Wellness Court (FHWC) Community of Practice (CoP)! In 2022, The Center for Children and Family Futures (CCFF) and The Tribal Law and Policy Institute (TLPI) started a monthly virtual gathering to promote cross-systems peer-to-peer learning by sharing knowledge, offering support through challenges, and brainstorming strategies. This session is perfect for any FHWC team member, a professional who serves families, or individuals interested in implementing a FHWC. Discussion topics will include celebrating successes of Tribes and Nations, a discussion of challenges and barriers, and specific strategies to infuse culture into FHWC practices and policies.

G4 - Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts

Native/Tribal Adolescent Substance Use Trends (PowerPoint PDF)

Chris Cuestas, Law Enforcement and Gangs Consultant, Tribal Youth Resource Center, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
Pat Sekaquaptewa, Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court TTA Manager, Tribal Law and Policy Institute

Session Description: This presentation will cover current adolescent drug use and abuse trends. The presenters will explore the contemporary terrain of what Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court (JHWC) and Program teams need to know to design and implement their JHWC and Programs.

H1 - Adult Healing to Wellness Courts

Dare them to Dream: Recovery Capital (PowerPoint PDF)

Karen Cowgill, Project Director, Treatment Court Institute, AllRise

Session Description: It's important for individuals to be able to envision long-term recovery. In this session, attendees will learn how to encourage treatment court participants to dream about their future. They will also discover how to reimagine program phases so that as clients make progress, each phase helps them learn new skills to identify their strengths and build personal, social, and community recovery resources.

H2 - Role Specific to Healing to Wellness Courts

Team Approach to Incorporating Cultural Values Reinforcement into Healing to Wellness (PowerPoint PDF)

Hon. Renee Torres, Judge, Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Court Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Program
Cayla Sanderson, Program Manager, Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Court Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Program
Kevin Garcia, Lead Worker, Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Court Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Program
Jered Lee, Program Coordinator, Traditional Wellness Program, First Nations Community Healthsource

Session Description: The Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Program is a DWI Adult Treatment Court that operates within the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, which is a state court of limited jurisdiction. The program serves self-identified Native Americans with two and up to five DWI convictions in Albuquerque, NM, where there is a large urban Native American population. There are 23 tribes within the State of New Mexico and tribal members from across the country residing within the metropolitan area. Operating in an urban setting presents a unique opportunity to reach a varied population of Native participants. The Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Court strives to effectively implement innovative cultural values reinforcement through a unified team approach. The session will provide an overview of how each team member practices cultural competence and strives to uphold a cultural values reinforcement approach when interacting with participants. This session will provide an overview of how best practices are implemented through the unification of substance use treatment with community resources to achieve physical and spiritual healing.

H3 – Family/Veterans Healing to Wellness Courts

Treatment or Healing (PowerPoint PDF)

Ray Daw, Behavioral Health Consultant, Native Veteran Wellness
Sean Bear, Veteran Advocate, Native Veteran Wellness

Session Description: Native American cultural diversity has challenged behavioral health, wellness courts, and other providers with determining when a referral for treatment or healing services is most appropriate. Treatment involves practices founded on EuroAmerican psychological approaches and DSM-based. Healing involves practices that are founded on Native spiritual approaches and can be tribally specific. Most providers have the challenge of determining which practice can be most appropriate and effective. This session will offer comparison and contrast, with recommendations for assessment and placement.

H4 - Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts

Juvenile Healing to Wellness (JHW) Programs - Serving Youth with Low Criminogenic Risk, but High Need (chronic absenteeism (“truancy”), child-in-need-of-services, and youth with “status offenses”) (PowerPoint PDF)

Erin Thin Elk, Tribal Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court TA Specialist, Tribal Youth Resource Center, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
Pat Sekaquaptewa, Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court T/TA Manager, Tribal Law and Policy Institute

Session Description: This session will overview the various approaches of the JHW Programs. The presenters will discuss how JHW Programs are designed to serve Native/Tribal youth with low criminogenic risk, higher need, where there is youth substance use (or substance abuse in the home), and/or where there may be chronic school absenteeism. The presenters will also review the common approaches in working with low-risk youth, including targeted and intensive support systems, comprehensive and inclusive case management (e.g., Wraparound case management), school attendance programs (e.g., school review boards, Tribal and Community Truancy Boards, Elders Panels, etc.), and restorative practices. Finally, the presenters will introduce those chapters of the Model Indian Juvenile Code that contain more protective court process for use with Native/Tribe youth who may need services and/or are experiencing chronic absenteeism (truancy).

I1 - Adult Healing to Wellness Courts

Integrative Cultural Healing: Language Sensitivity and Trust in Wellness Programs (PowerPoint PDF)

Allen King, Consultant, Motivational Speaker

Session Description: This session aims to enhance the understanding and integration of cultural elements in healing practices, emphasizing the importance of language sensitivity and trust-building in wellness programs. By combining cultural integration with trust values, participants will learn how to create more inclusive and effective wellness programs that resonate with diverse communities.

I2 - Role Specific Healing to Wellness Courts

Spirituality and Healing (PowerPoint PDF)

Ray Daw, Behavioral Health Consultant, Native Veteran Wellness
Sean Bear, Veteran Advocate, Native Veteran Wellness

Session Description: This presentation will discuss spirituality and healing as it relates to Healing to Wellness Courts. Presenters will discuss the benefits of spirituality as a healing technique

I3 – Family/Veterans Healing to Wellness Courts

Many Ways Up the Mountain: Implementing a Multiple Track Healing to Wellness Court (PowerPoint PDF)

Gina Smith, Senior Program Manager, Community Justice, Training and Technical Assistance, Center for Justice Innovation

Session Description: As intensive interventions, Healing to Wellness Courts (HTWCs) are designed to work best with high-risk/high-need individuals with substance use disorders. However, many HTWCs grapple with the desire to provide supportive services or treatment for individuals who have a history of substance use but may fall under different risk and need categories. This presentation will discuss the science behind risk/need levels and identify justice system responses that are catered to the different risk and need levels. Presenters will provide examples of how HTWCs can create different tracks to respond to individuals of different risk/need levels in ways that can best support those individuals while lowering their overall future risk of recidivism. The presentation will provide case studies and invite the audience to create and identify appropriate tracks to cater appropriately to both the risk and need levels that are presented by participants

I4 - Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts

Winnebago Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court and Cultural Integration (PowerPoint PDF)

Curtis Alexander, Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court Coordinator, Youth Crisis Intervention Center, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Charles Hindsely, Cultural Specialist, Youth Crisis Intervention Center, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Sarah Snake, Wagijire Hiza, Youth Crisis Intervention Center, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Daryl LaPoint, Director, Youth Crisis Intervention Center, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Session Description: This session will provide an over of the Winnebago Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court and Cultural Integration. Participants will gain knowledge on the evaluation, assessment, and cultural assessments at the Winnebago Youth Crisis Intervention Center. The presenters will also discuss the function of the "Wagijire Hiza" Elders, including the incorporation of family, culture, traditions, and gender roles into programming and recommendations.