Winnebago DOJ Sex Offender Grant

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (AWA) (Pub. L. 109-248, 42 U.S.C. § 16901, et seq) authorizes the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) to administer sex offender management grants. These grants assist states, the District of Columbia, U.S. principal territories and tribal jurisdictions in developing and/or enhancing sex offender registration and notification programs that support substantial implementation of Title I of the AWA, known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). SORNA was enacted to protect the public from convicted sex offenders and offenders against children by establishing a comprehensive national system for the registration of those offenders.

The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska faces the continuous challenge of unreported sex offenders due to the cultural and familial stigmas attached to exposing and reporting offenders, especially when it involves a juvenile sex offender. With SMART FY 14 AWA grant funds, the Tribe will enhance infrastructure to facilitate an up-to-date record of identification and registration of offenders. Additionally, the Winnebago Tribe Law Enforcement Office will increase its capacity by incorporating research and education advances toward a multi-disciplinary cultural approach, including professional development for staff and tribal leaders. ca/ncf