Community Work Service

The Restorative Justice Community Work Service Program is designed to provide juveniles with the opportunity to repair the harm they have caused victims and the community. Additionally, the program offers juveniles a caring, encouraging atmosphere that includes positive work service tasks that are educational and meaningful. The ultimate goal of the Community Work Service Program is accountability to the community and payment of restitution to the victims while positively educating juveniles with meaningful tasks in a constructive environment. The crew works after school, four days a week and is supervised by a Restorative Justice Coordinator, site supervisor, and community mentoring volunteers.

Circles In Schools

Restorative Justice offers a 12 week program to area schools which is geared toward building relationships and resolving conflict among peers. We work directly with specific classrooms and or grade levels. The Circles are designed to fit the needs of the specific population we are working with. The Circle is run by a “keeper” who monitors the movement and stimulates reflection of the group through questions or topic suggestions. The Circle typically meets for one hour once a week. The purpose of the Circle is to bring people together as equals and to have honest exchanges about sometimes difficult issues in an atmosphere of respect and concern for everyone.

Community Group Conferencing

Community Group Conferencing can be used as an alternative form of conflict resolution or as a diversion from courts. Participation of the victim(s) is voluntary and participation of the offender(s) is based on his or her readiness. The offender(s) must first admit guilt and be willing to participate in the conferencing process. A pre-meeting is scheduled for both the offender(s) and victim(s) to explain the process and to go over what is expected from them. The conference is lead by a trained facilitator, and includes the victims, victim’s supporters, offender, offender’s supporters, and community members. Together as a group, they discuss and determine the best way to repair the harm caused by the juvenile’s behavior. The process allows both the victim and the community to be directly involved in responding to hurtful behaviors. Community Group Conferencing is available to 1st time offenders deemed appropriate by the County Attorney’s Office. Conferences are also utilized in the school setting to address victim/offender incidences. If the juvenile successfully meets all the requirements of the contract and remains crime free for one year, the incident is removed from their record. If the juvenile fails to meet the requirements of the contract their case is then referred back to the County Attorney’s office as a failed diversion. It is the Facilitator’s responsibility to conduct all follow-up work on each case.

Transition Circles of Support

The purpose of a Transition Circle is to provide support to youth who are returning to the community from an out-of-home placement and need the extended positive network of people. The Circle works toward minimizing the risk of re-offending by surrounding the youth with community volunteers who will offer support and hold them accountable for their actions. An initial meeting is set-up ideally while the juvenile is still in placement to discuss specific issues/needs of the client. The youth have direct input in the planning process of who they would like to attend their Circle and what specific needs they would like met. The Circle of support encourages involvement of family, friends and community members who may provide needed information and resources that encourage the youth’s success. The Circle works in cooperation with probation, police, human services and treatment professionals. The Circle consists of 7 individuals who meet once a week for approximately one hour. Each member is asked to make a commitment for one year which allows for long term support and encouragement for the youth’s plan for the future.