RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER AK-CHIN 2015.DOCX

EQUINE SPIRIT PROGRAMS
17016 E. San Tan Blvd.
Queen Creek, Arizona 85142 480-299-2506
2015 12% Grant Proposal / Ak-Chin Indian Community
Healing With Horses
Equine Spirit Programs for Residential Treatment Center Native Youth
Queen Creek, Maricopa County, Arizona
$25,000.00
1. Outline
a) Proposed Program/Project description
Incorporated as a non profit in 2014, ESP has offered activity based programs that utilize the
proven EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) model since 2008. Equine
Assisted Learning (EAL) is listed as a Best Practice in the First Nations Behavioral Health Association
Catalogue of Effective Behavioral Health Practices. EAL as an effective approach to health care, an
Ak-Chin funding priority, and will be provided to underserved minority youth populations who
reside in respite care.
EAL programs are comprised of activities involving horses which require the individual or group
to apply certain and specific skills. This is an experiential process where individuals/groups
participate with horses in assigned ground activities. Horses are uniquely suited to participate
in these activities, in that horses are attuned to the feelings more than the behaviors of people

near them. Experiential exercises are conducted by a Mental Health Professional, and an Equine
Specialist utilizing and an EAGALA based curriculum. The unique synergy of the Human and the
Horse creates new ways to facilitate successful change in behaviors of the participants involved.
Horses respond immediately, horses require the participant to be authentic, horses don’t lie,
and horses challenge us to be our best. Participants increase knowledge in communication
skills, self confidence, personal insight, team building and leadership. They are challenged by
the experiential process to problem solve, identify and obtain personal and/or team goals, build
trust and ultimately accept change. They can then apply those newly learned skills to the
challenges they face at home, school and community. The curriculum serving Native American
youth is culturally adapted to the belief that many Native American societies view the horse
with profound sacredness as a kinship to man. That relationship accompanies the belief that
Native people are given lessons of life through animals.
The program is conducted over a 3 day period at a location in southern Maricopa County to be
determined with the following staff: Mental Health Professional-
Master Level Therapist/EAGALA trained
Equine Specialist - EAGALA certified
Equine assistant - previous equine program experience
Volunteers - New Horizon staff/ residential home specialized training,
Any staff or volunteer must hold a fingerprint clearance card to work with youth.
b) Priority funding areas identified by Ak-Chin
Healthcare
c) Needs and Issues the proposal will address
Research reports minority youth are at greater risk of negative behaviors such as substance
use and suicide than the rest of their national counterparts. Equine Spirit Program staff and
founders have addressed this need by offering Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) prevention
services to Native communities for the past 6 years.
By providing educational activities involving horses, youth are behaviorally challenged which
results in increasing life skills such as communication, and self confidence. When coping with
challenging life situations, youth are able to report through pre/post evaluation surveys, that
they are better able to connect with peers, family and community when in need of assistance
and ultimately be able to make more positive life choices
d) Describe the population that will benefit from the proposal
Who -Youth reside at New Horizon Youth Home residential treatment centers on a short
term respite care basis while the individual or family is in crisis. ESP staff and New Horizon
staff work in a formal collaboration to maximize the impact of both existing and grant
resources. Staff targets this underserved population of primarily Native American youth who

experience a higher rate of substance use and suicide than the national average. Staff and
program focus to increase resiliency characteristics for the reduction of negative behaviors. 2
youth equine programs will be provided for 25 youth at each program. A total of 50 youth will
be male and female, ages 13-18. Equine Assisted Learning will provide participants the
opportunity to develop healthy protective factors to include: resiliency, healthy coping
strategies, self esteem, and connection to peers, family and community.
How many - Approximately 50 youth, will be served over the course of a grant cycle.
Targeted area: Youth residing at the residential treatment center
e) Program/Project goals and objectives
The program goal is to increase the resiliency characteristics of self-esteem, sense of
purpose and social connectedness through the use of a structured equine curriculum and
evaluation. The program will include 10 program hours of activities conducted in the course
of a weekend, at a location in southern Maricopa County to be determined. Those
attending and completing pre/post surveys will report a 40% increase in their sense of self
sufficiency to include self esteem, and social connectedness, Participants will also be able to
identify adults and or resources in their community that can assist them when they need
help with life issues
The programs objective is to have approximately 50 youth participate in the research based
curriculum activities, increase their sense of purpose and connectedness to their peers,
family and community.
f) Timeline - within the grant cycle after receiving funding, with consideration to the residential
treatment center schedule
2. Resources
a) Partners – New Horizons staff has proposed to be active partners in having this program
at their center. Facility staff provides all accommodations and food for the event which
will cover 3 days. The collaborating agency provides transportation and support staff.
(see letter of support)
b) Other funding sources – none at this writing
c) Current economic impact on Program/Project – the operation of a residential
treatment center has a myriad of costs. The Director is requesting an equine program
which youth and their family members support the development of the program and
for the Director to pursue further avenues to sustain the program after its initiation.
d) New or Continuing Project – This is a new project for these residential centers and area
of Arizona

e) Other Tribal Funding no other funding has been received from any other tribe.
3. Reports
a)Administrative- The following designated contact person will be responsible for all
required reports as indicated by the grantor. General bookkeeping procedures using
QuickBooks will be utilized, interim and final reports will be completed by Equine Spirit
Grants Manager as required.
Julie Jimenez, MSW, Grants Manager
17016 E. San Tan Blvd
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
equinespiritprograms@gmail.com
480 299 2506
b)Evaluation – Evaluation Methods: staff conducts a pre/post survey, conduct a focus
group at the end of each session to process what was learned and how to apply it to
everyday life, In addition, staff does ongoing observation to monitor participants during
program delivery and discuss the findings, make necessary adjustments.
Youth actively contribute to their surveys. A summary of the groups responses is created
60 days after program completion, and will be delivered to the grant funders and the New Horizons
Director to share with staff, youth and parents.
4. Budget and budget narrative for this proposal
Project Expenses
Source Description Amount
Arena Time camp facility rental, equipment rental, arena time, food $7,500.00
Supplies supplies for participants incentives $1,250.00

Insurance professional and program liability insurance $3,700.00
Professional Fees equine spirit staff professional fees $8,400.00
Equipment Horses, trailer rentals, program equipment for activities $4,150.00
Total $25000.00.
Budget Narrative
Arena time=Camp facility rental to include all utilities $7500
Incentives= are used to sustain attendance with participants and for those who complete $1250
Contracted professional fees=contract with the certified mental health professional, certified equine
specialist and necessary support staff for coordination, data collection and evaluation for the prep
and implementation of program. $8400
Program session equipment= all items used in programming including all horse tack and equipment
necessary for activities. Cost for all horse rentals is included. $4150
$25,000.0
Liability Insurance=a requirement for those participating to cover loss or damage compensation
$3700
5.Additional Information – The Equine Spirit staff has been providing Equine Assisted
Learning to schools and communities since 2008. The main facility is located in Queen Creek,
Arizona, and is the home to rescue horses. Horses are rehabilitated and transitioned into
the equine model program.
When a person enters the arena with a horse, transformation occurs. That place is sacred space,
peace and hope are renewed.