Wednesday, December 18, 2024
12/18/2024
Goldbelt Heritage Foundation (GHF) implementing the Ye'es Kha'a Naltseeni': Strengthening Youth project will strengthen American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth ages 12 to 24 years through suicide and substance use prevention support, fostering culturally responsive models that reduce and respond to the impact of trauma in American Indian/Alaska Native communities, and facilitate collaboration among agencies to support youth as they transition into adulthood. GHF, with a governing body of Alaska Native tribal members, has as its mission to advance culturally-responsive education practices grounded in Tlingit and Alaska Native culture, based in Juneau, Alaska. The proposed Native Connections project is titled Ye'es Kha'a Naltseeni': Strengthening Youth that will address needs uncovered by the GHF's Youth Ambassador Program survey, which has identified the following barriers to youth achievement and success: (a) substance abuse, (b) lack of positive mentors and role models, (c) depression, (d) lack of suicide prevention initiatives, (e) lack of culturally responsive educational and heritage language opportunities, and (f) lack of health activities (Unity Inc. Conference 2016). The project will be conducted in Southeast Alaska communities. The population overall is 32,468 (U.S. Census, 2016). There are 22.3% persons under 18 years old. The Juneau School District and Chatham School District has 17 schools and 4,784 students, 24% of which are Alaska Native. In the 2016-2017 school year, the dropout rate for AN/AI youth in Juneau was 8.6%, compared to a 3.42% dropout rate of all students. We will implement a culturally responsive counseling, mentoring, traditional arts therapy program, life skills, and strength building program using Alaska Native culture and heritage language that will run parallel with Evidence Based Practices that will be guided by elders, youth, parents, mental health professionals and educators. Project activities are organized around seven interrelated objectives: (1) Provide continual training to staff, parents and providers of at risk youth on art therapy to serve 40 annually; (2) Rehabilitate Alaska Native youth through traditional arts therapy and culturally responsive activities to serve 70 youth annually; (3) Provide heritage language and traditional values learning and mentorship opportunities that build connections for youth with elders to serve 70 annually; (4) Facilitate family healing circles; (5) Provide one-to-one counseling with a traditionally certified counselor to serve 70 participants ages 12-24 in Juneau/Douglas area throughout the five years; (6) Strengthen at-risk youth life skills in culturally responsive ways to serve 70 youth ages 12 to 24; (7) GHF will facilitate an annual Gathering of Alaska Native (GOAN) with a culminating Koo.eex’, a traditional Tlingit ceremony for 400 + guests to serve 100 youth. The project will serve 350 youth over the five-year project period.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
