This fact sheet provides tips on creating a system of consequences and rewards in a Tribal Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court (TJHWC) for drug/alcohol-addicted Indian youth processed in the justice system.
A system of consequences and rewards can be helpful for youth as they develop positive behaviors without addiction. Research indicates that an effective system of consequences and rewards should be immediate, certain, fair, graduated, goal-oriented, individualized, and therapeutically sound. In addition, the TJHWC team should describe the system of rewards and consequences with the youth participant as early as possible in the case-management process. Clarity and consistency in explaining and executing the system is the key to its effectiveness. The system should be based on the types of rewards and consequences that are workable in the particular community. Tribal norms related to honor, respect, and tradition should underlie the system of rewards and consequences. The system's content and execution should be continually reviewed based on evaluations that document behavioral outcomes attributable to the system of rewards and consequences. 2 resources