Post-Forum Series Part 3: Half-Day Virtual Workshop: Building Hope for Healing—Exploring Implementation of Overdose Fatality Reviews in Tribal Communities

Wednesday, April 30 | 1:00 – 4:30 PM, ET 

This half-day virtual workshop will review the OFR framework and national standards, as well as how to incorporate these elements into a drafted tribal resolution. 

Participants will have the opportunity to: 

• Share their experiences 
• Learn from peers 
• Provide feedback on OFR training and resources 
• Help shape future OFR tools and technical assistance 
• Draft their tribal resolution  

Audience 

Limited seats are available for this half-day virtual workshop. Those with a vested interest in tribal communities and who plan to contribute to workgroup discussions will have priority consideration. 

Note: Attendees must attend Part 2: Building Understanding—Overdose Fatality Review Fundamentals and Tribal Perspectives from the National Forum, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 3:00 – 4:30 PM, ET, to be considered to participate. 

Meet Your Presenters 

• Kevin Mariano (Acoma/Laguna), prior to joining the National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College, served as the chief of police with the Pueblo of Isleta Police Department. He has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience capitalizing on supervisory experience, operational management, staff development, administrative and finance management, motivational leadership, and decision making. Mr. Mariano served as the liaison between the Pueblo of Isleta, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and surrounding law enforcement agencies to build relationships and matters related to community safety. 
• Kevin Poleyumptewa is a project coordinator with the National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College. He works with program efforts funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance to support tribal Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) and Coordinated Tribal Assistance Purpose Area 3 grantees and other tribal communities in implementing tribal justice system, community-based, and culturally driven responses to alcohol and substance misuse. Mr. Poleyumptewa also works on an Office on Violence Against Women-funded project focusing on engaging men as allies, advocates, and survivors. 
• Melissa Heinen is the OFR manager for IIR. With extensive knowledge and experience, she provides oversight of staff members and programmatic activities, including coordination and provision of support to OFR teams.   
• Morgan Kramer is a senior research associate for IIR with 8 years of public health experience within overdose, child, and fetal and infant fatality reviews. Her focus includes coordination of support to OFR teams, prevention and intervention strategies, and the delivery of resources for states building infrastructure to support local OFR program efforts.   
• Paul Fuentes is a project coordinator at the National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC) of Fox Valley Technical College. In his current role, he plays a crucial role in supporting grantees of Bureau of Justice Assistance-funded programs, focusing on the Tribal Justice System Planning Process and Tribal Responses to Alcohol and Substance Misuse, both of which provide essential training and technical assistance (TTA) to tribal communities. Mr. Fuentes is a passionate advocate for tribal justice and grant management with extensive experience in the field.