Juvenile Rehabilitation

In 2018, SB 6115 was signed into law by Governor Inslee with bipartisan support, permitting the department to contract with a Tribe 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 residential facility. The passage of this agency request bill formalized the ability of the Tribes and the department to enter into inter-local agreements. The legislation clarifies the state’s authority to provide residential custody services to youth adjudicated and sentenced by a Tribal Court in this state.  

With the passage of SB 6115, JR is advancing opportunities for Indian Nations within Washington State to enter into Residential Custody Service Agreements (RCSAs). Tribes who have expressed an interest in committing and placing youth adjudicated by Tribal Court are now utilizing Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) as an alternate resource and referring youth to JR for much needed and required 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. To facilitate communication between tribal representatives, JR personnel, the youth and family, JR identifies local points of contacts at each JR secured residential facility and within the referring Tribal Court to report on youth progress, answer questions and/or concerns of the referred youth throughout the JR continuum.