Residential Custody Service Agreements
In 2018, Senate Bill (SB) 6115 was signed into law by Governor Inslee with bipartisan support, permitting the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) to contract with tribes to provide residential custody services in a rehabilitation residential facility for youth sentenced by a Tribal juvenile court for more than 30 days. This supports American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth in need of specialized treatment and rehabilitation services with services in a secured Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) residential facility. This SB formalized the ability of tribes and DCYF to enter into inter-local agreements.
Due to SB 6115, JR is advancing opportunities for Indian Nations within Washington State to enter RCSAs. Tribes who have expressed an interest in committing and placing youth adjudicated by Tribal Court are now utilizing JR as an alternate resource and referring youth to rehabilitation services. The placement of AI/AN youth will be subject to all the applicable laws, rules, policies, procedures, and practices governing juveniles committed to JR. Our hope is to have every Tribe with a Tribal court in Washington to enter into this agreement with DCYF.
Community Justice Accountability Act
In 1999, JR initiated discussions with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS); Indian Policy Advisory Committee to implement elements of effective juvenile justice programs for court-involved tribal youth through Community Justice Accountability Act (CJAA) grant opportunities. Designed to reduce youth crime and develop interventions for youth who are diverted, on court supervision, or on probation through Tribal or local County Juvenile Court.
The purpose of the agreement between Tribes and DCYF is as follows:
- Recognize the Government-to-Government relationship between tribes and the federal government.
- Honor tribe’s inherent right to design and operate culturally relevant and appropriate programs.
- Increase the quality and efficiency of state and tribal benefits and services to eligible clients served by tribes and to support funding resources towards actual needs.
Other Resources
Juvenile Rehabilitation Regional Parole Offices