Isleta receives grant for juvenile program

Isleta

The Pueblo of Isleta will be getting some much needed funds to support its Tribal Youth Program.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) grant of $298,552 was announced by Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) on May 23.

“This grant will support a community-based effort by Isleta to fight the problem of juvenile delinquency, while bolstering tribal juvenile justice systems,” Domenici said in a news release.

Earlier in May, Domenici announced that Isleta was also awarded a $120,000 DOJ tribal courts program grant to help update tribal law and order codes and develop juvenile codes.

Chief Judge James Abeita of Isleta said that the grant will come in the form of three annual $100,000 grants, with about half of the money going for salaries. The rest will be used for consulting fees for formulating juvenile codes and for equipment such as computers and telephones.

“We’re affected by the prevalence of drugs and alcohol,” Abeita said. “We need to have juvenile codes to address this.”

Abeita will administer the program, but much of the work will be done by a youth grant director, who will monitor the program for three years. There will be an outdoor experimental program for youth from ages 13 through high school, who may work on conservation projects.

In addition, an “agri-vision program” will put youth to work in the fields.

Abeita grew up in Isleta and remembers working hard in the fields to raise melons and chile. He was taught important values by his elders.

“A lot of the traditional values were taught through that,” Abeita said of the work. “You put a lot of hard work into growing chile and melons, and then you shared that.”

“We want to see the youth connected to the elderly and try to pass on some of the cultural values and teach them in a hands-on program,” Abeita said.

The key to a successful program is early intervention, according to Abeita.

“It’s early intervention when it pertains to drugs and alcohol,” Abeita said. “We have to do a better job of education and responsible use of alcohol, and this program will address some of that.”

The pueblo already has the Cottonwood Behavioral Health Center, where counseling is provided for outpatient alcohol and drug treatment.