EQUINE SPIRIT PROGRAMS - TOHONO OODHAM 2017.PDF

Last updated: 05/08/2017
General information
Organization Equine Spirit Programs
Contact First name Julie
Contact Last name Jimenez
Contact e-mail equinespiritprograms@gmail.com
Contact phone number 4802992506
Address
Street 17016 E. San Tan Blvd
City Queen Creek
State AZ
ZIP Code 85142
From what tribe is the Tohono O’odham Nation
organization requesting the
grant?
Total grant amount request 69840.00
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TOHONO O’ODHAM NATION
RFP 12% GAMING DISTRIBUTION
Horses Healing the Spirit of the Child
a. Explain the perceived need and how the proposal will address the need.
The Equine Spirit Program (ESP) is a successful Equine Assisted Learning program
with a 7 year history of promoting resilience among at-risk youth and most recently the
addition of veterans and their families. ESP is an established non-profit since 2014.
Equine Assisted Learning is listed as a Best Practice in the First Nations Behavioral
Health Association Catalogue of Effective Behavioral Health Practices. The mission of
the program is to empower, enrich and educate its participants, by providing a safe,
research based, equine focused educational experience. Why do we do this work? We
truly believe that every person needs to feel healthy and happy to be able to reach their
individual goals and potential. ESP connects rehabilitated horses with youth, adults,
military veterans, and their families to promote self-discovery, target areas of personal
growth, and mental health.
We offer a life skill focused program that utilizes a research based equine assisted
learning model. The goal of ESP programs is to promote improved mental and physical
health by utilizing equine assisted learning through the development of personal
interactions between humans and horses. The targeted area of growth for this grant
proposal will be to address the effects of adverse childhood experiences/trauma and
assist in the self directed healing process of the young participants of the program.
The program purpose/goal is to have at-risk youth Improve life skills that are developed
to meet the individual’s personal goals by increasing their sense of purpose and
connectedness to their peers, school and community. This increase in connectedness
has a direct correlation to reducing the of adverse childhood experiences/trauma which
includes but is not limited to growing up with physical or mental abuse, household
dysfunction, parental divorce or separation, domestic violence, substance use and
incarceration of family members.
Equine Assisted Learning ( EAL) is experiential in nature, allowing participants to learn
about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses and then
processing their responses. The focus is on ground activities, there is no riding, which
requires youth to develop and apply certain life skills that can be translated from the
arena to their personal life in order to improve their interactions with family, school and
community.
GOAL: The goal of this equine assisted learning (EAL) program is the healthcare
education and learning of specific skills as defined the individual or group for the
increase of resiliency characteristics for our at risk youth and/or the family

members. This is an experiential process where the individuals or groups
participate with horses in assigned ground activities. There is no riding in this
program.
ACTIVITIES: 4 cycles of 8 (1hour) EAL sessions will be delivered at the Equine
Spirit Ranch in Queen Creek. Participants are continually engaged in their own
healing process. The solutions offered include the specific needs of the veteran,
with respect their culture, and meets them on their own terms. Programs are
adapted to serve the needs of the veterans returning to their community and the
needs of the family members who support and care for them. The veteran
program utilizes the research based E.A.G.A.L.A. (Equine Assisted Growth and
Learning Assn) curriculum, designed and adapted for 8 sessions which includes
an evaluation component. Each session can accommodate up to 12 participants.
Evaluation: Staff conducts ongoing observation w/ supporting notes to monitor
participant’s progress during delivery, with discussion and assessment of the findings
with program team, to make necessary adjustments for ongoing program improvements.
Each session reviews the previous week’s findings with the participant and aligns the
information with the relevancy to their everyday life. Staff conducts a client satisfaction
survey at the end of each cycle. EAL is a research based strategy to health &
education, two of Tohono O’odhams’ funding priorities.
b. Describe the population being served who will benefit from this proposal
There is a perceived need of this underserved rural community to have
accessible youth focused life skills programming to promote the individuals’
abilities to overcome the barriers presented by childhood trauma. Increasing the
ability of youth to participate in community programs that promote positive
behavioral health and self directed life building strategies will contribute to the
overall health of a growing community. This is supported by the 3 community
partners involved in this proposal. There will be 144 sessions/hours of
programming available for participants. Each session can accommodate up to 12
participants per session.
c. Budget requested, total amount requested.
Horses Healing the Spirit of the Child Program Budget
Line Item Amount Requested $69840.00
Program horses $29376
Program supplies 3095
Facility rental/arena time 4320
Liability Insurance 4837

Mental Health Prof 11088
EAGALA equine specialist 7200
Equine Assistant 2095
Equine Helper 2160
ESP Bookkeeper 1050
Program Evaluation 3494
Grants Manager 1195
Total Budget 69840
Horses Healing The Spirit of the Child
Program Budget Detail
1. Program Horses 10 Horses are part of the program team and are rotated to
accommodate the need for equine for various sessions. Horses are leased at
$204 hour x144 program hours. $29376
2. supplies/equipment includes equipment and items used to interact with the
horses in the actual activities: buckets, cones, brushes, curry combs, lead ropes,
halters, etc. $3095
3. Facility Rental/Arena Time : Arena time will be required to conduct all program
sessions ($30 x 144 hours) $4320
4. Liability Insurance is a required form of insurance for those at possible risk of
being sued by third parties for negligence. Among the most usual classes of
mandatory policy are those that cover businesses who offer professional services
to the public. Public policy therefore requires that such businesses should carry
insurance so that, if their activities do cause loss or damage to another, money
will be available to pay compensation. $4837
5. Contracted Professional Fees allows the program to contract with the certified
mental health professional ($77 x 144 hours) $11088
6. Contracted Professional Fees allows the program to contract with the equine
specialist ($50 x144 hours) $7200
7. Contracted Professional Fees allows the program to contract with equine
assistant handler ($15x 144 hours) $2095

8. Contracted Professional Fees allows the program to contract with equine
helper ($15x 144 hours) $2160
9. Contracted Professional Fees allows the program to contract with support
staff/bookkeeper ($15 x 66 hours) $1050
10. Evaluation- Allows for staff hours needed to process all evaluation data collected for
each program session & cycle and create a data summary of program services at the
end of the program year. $3494
11. Contracted Professional Fees allows the program to contract with grants
manager $1125
d. List all other funding requests that have been made and provide status
Current applications have been submitted to Gila River Indian Community and Ft.
Mcdowell Indian Community. Applications are currently pending.
e. Indicate whether the agency has received 12% distribution from Tohono Oodham
Nation or any other tribes amount and date.
ESP has not received any funding from Toho Oodham. ESP has received $25000 in
October 2016 from Gila River Indian Community.
f. Identify contact person, and alternate contact person for follow-up, include email
address, phone, mailing address, and fax.
Julie Jimenez 4802992506 17016 e. san tan blvd Queen Creek, AZ 85142
equinespiritprograms@gmail.com no fax
Andy Miritello 4802506240 17016 e. san tan blvd Queen Creek AZ 85142
Spottedpony1450@hotmail.com
g. Identify priority area – Health Care and Education
h. Proposal is from a non-profit, include gov’t entity that will be working with non profit –
Maricopa County


New Horizon Community Care
“Share the values you grew up with”
February 9, 2017
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is AMee Vermeire and I am writing in support of the Equine Spirit Program. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and
have been the director of the clinical department for New Horizon Community Care for approximately five years. New Horizon
Community Care has become familiar with the Equine Spirit Program over the past several years and would like to encourage funding
of this application for the benefit of our clients. They have had exposure to similar equine programs in the past and they have
benefitted our kids in many ways, including health & wellness, learning to take care of animals, and well as being therapeutic for
everyone involved. More recently, several of our female clients were able to participate in a six week program in which they were
able to build skills necessary to handle difficult life situations through the use of equine therapy and its teachings. This program was
extremely successful and left lasting memories with the young women who had the opportunity to participate.
Organization’s Mission Statement:
New Horizon Community Care is a place of purpose, commitment and integrity. Our mission is to create a structured, therapeutic
environment which will empower individuals to build healthy relationships and develop life skills that will promote personal growth.
We aim to meet the diverse needs of our population by being goal orientated, family focused and culturally sensitive. Our goal is to be
the premier provider of behavioral health services.
New Horizon Community Care is a non-profit agency created in 2001. New Horizon Community Care built a programming structure
that challenges, encourages and counsels children and young adults to enhance self- esteem and to modify their behaviors in order to
become positive community members. Programming is provided in Residential, Outside Support Service and Respite formats.
Regardless of the format selected, each program is formatted to the individual based on circumstances, challenges and personal goals.
Clients will participate in activities, groups and life lessons that help them assess their internal strengths, capabilities and improve
decision making skills. The multiple formats allow ample opportunities for clients to "step down" or transition to less restrictive
programming as the individual improves. In Residential NHYH provides Level II Therapeutic and Level III Behavioral Health
Residential Services, which include Life Skills Client Wellness education and activities that are geared toward personal growth and
goals. Primary therapeutic services in the Level II program is General Mental Health and Substance Abuse provided by Behavioral
Health Professionals. Level III clients can grow in a less restrictive environment that offers behavior modifications and good-decision
making guidance. Residential homes are located in Chandler and Peoria. NHYH has also created an Outpatient Program that provides
therapeutic and life skills activities that are developed to meet client’s goals by staff working with client's CFT/Case Manager to
determine appropriate services. Services include mentoring, health and wellness services, cultural awareness activities, school break
programming, life skills/GED day program, and substance abuse program. Content of programming includes Psycho/ Social
Rehabilitation, Behavior Modification, Client Wellness and Independent Living Skills objectives.
Our hope is that the Equine Spirit Program will acquire funding necessary to continue providing much needed services as it is evident
that the youth we serve greatly benefit from programs such as this one.
Thank you in advance for your support.
AMee Vermeire, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor
(480)722-2730
ameevermeire@nhyh.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2754 – Chandler, Arizona 85244-2754

Payne Junior High
7655 S. Higley Road, Queen Creek, Arizona 85142
Phone (480) School 224-2400 Fax (480) 224-2420
Paul Bollard Principal
November 8, 2016
To whom it may concern:
We are a Junior High School that serves 7th and 8th graders in Chandler Unified
School District. We were introduced to the Equine Spirit Program for some of our
students to participate, but the funding was not available. We have a group of boys
and girls who have behavioral issues that have caused them to struggle socially at
school. Our goal is that this program will provide them with the skills and
strategies to be more socially appropriate at school and in the community.
We would love to have them participate in the Equine Spirit Program; however, due
to funding, we are unable to provide this program to our students at this present
time. We would appreciate any support that is available to help our students here at
PJHS.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. If you have questions, please
contact me.
Sincerely,
Dr. Herbert Warner, Counselor
480-224-2412
Warner.herbert@cusd80.com