Reentry & Recovery

Talia Eames Manager

The Reentry & Recovery department was established in June 2019 to create and maintain community and tribal resources for recovery and justice-involved individuals. Some of these future resources and programs include: ƒ Sober and supportive non-congregate sheltering for citizens returning from incarceration, ƒ Cultural and peer-supported reentry and recovery programming, and ƒ Business, employment and training opportunities specifically for reentry and recovery participants. Reentry & Recovery is working closely with the Tribal Court and other tribal justice system partners to ensure cohesion in program development and restorative justice practices. The passage of the CARES Act made it possible to conduct emergency protective measures such as standing up non-congregate settings for our unsheltered populations. Recognizing that those released from incarceration are ten times more likely to experience homelessness, this funding allowed the tribe to create several non-congregate sheltering resources for the department to support our at-risk citizens. This initial emergency response allows the Tribe to plan for recovery-oriented uses of these resources after the crisis has passed. This future focus will reduce new entries into homelessness by breaking the cycle of recidivism through the preventative measure of supporting tribal citizens returning from incarceration.

ƒ Secured funding to build out the trailers donated by Coeur Alaska to create a campus of accessible non-congregate sheltering for up to 12 men coming from incarceration that may struggle to find shelter due to barrier crimes such as sex offenses. This construction project created an opportunity for

Southeast General Contractors, the

Tribe’s newest enterprise. ƒ Purchased a 6,024 square foot building located on 1.68 acres on Alaway

Avenue in Juneau, Alaska. The property is being renovated to provide noncongregate sheltering for up to 15 men coming from incarceration and includes designated space for cultural activities and a carving shop. ƒ Awarded a three-year Comprehensive

Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse

Program (COSSAP) grant in the amount of $599,673 to create a Tribal Action Plan (TAP). This strategic plan will be used for guiding specific, positive change among tribal citizens to address alcohol and substance misuse. This intensive, collaborative plan will include the needs of our rural communities and will help to coordinate available resources and promote community recovery and healing. ƒ Purchased the Haven House, a reentry and recovery non-congregate shelter in

Juneau for up to five women, and assumed full operations in November of 2020.

ƒ Achieve operational capacity for all three non-congregate sheltering projects to provide shelter and direct support services to a total of 32 justice-involved citizens. ƒ Increase staffing and support for reentry non-congregate sheltering programs and build an extensive roster of community volunteers. ƒ Finalize a Tribal Action Plan (TAP) by collecting narratives from all regional communities to determine the strengths and specific needs of the Tribe as it pertains to each unique community. This plan will be the first step in developing inclusive resources to address the devastating impact that substance misuse has on tribal citizens and families.