• The Center for Restorative Youth Justice is a nonprofit who works in partnership with the community to create meaningful accountability processes and restorative community connections as an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system.

    Our programs are founded on a restorative justice approach where:
    • Justice resources are focused on those who have been harmed (vs. what law was broken)
    • Conversations with victims and community members allow youth to focus on what steps are needed to repair that harm (vs. inflicting punishment) allowing victims and youth to move forward
    • Staff work with youth to ‘reweave the fabric’ of relationships (community, family, peers) in ways that prevent further harm, inspire connection, and increase community safety and livability CRYJ’s programs foster dialogue between offenders and victims, create opportunities for true accountability, and reduce the likelihood that a youth will reoffend.

    • CRYJ PROGRAMS


    Victim Impact Program (VIP) – Created to extend timely, victim- sensitive contact to ALL victims impacted by juvenile crime in Flathead County in an effort to reduce the consequences of the victimization. Through the VIP, victims are provided with a clearly designated person to whom they know they can turn to for support, guidance, information, assistance, and an opportunity to be heard. Rather than navigating the system alone, trained personnel, knowledgeable about victim’s rights and resources, provide assistance to help identify and connect victims with needed services. People victimized by crime not only want to receive information, they want to be able to provide information. The VIP Coordinator initiates contact with victims to provide an opportunity for them to tell their story, how they have been impacted, and what they would like to see happen to hold the offender accountable for the harm done.

     

    Youth Connections (Restorative Community Service) – All CRYJ participants complete community service and other restorative obligations through CRYJ’s Youth Connections program. This program is designed to provide enriching opportunities for community service that combine critical thinking, civic responsibility, and competency development. In this way, youth envision and establish themselves as necessary and valued community members. Accountability & competency development are key objectives in achieving the restorative goal of increased community safety. Staff members work one-on-one with youth participants to develop an individualized community service action plan that will fulfill the requirements of their restorative agreements. The Youth Connections Program engages a wide range of community partners through innovative service projects and youth workshops.

     

    Community Accountability Board (CAB) – In the CAB process, the board (a panel of three community members – adult and youth) acts in a representative capacity for victims who are unwilling or unable to participate in the VOC process for which the youth has been referred. The board is composed of a small group of trained citizens (both adult and youth), who conduct face-to-face meetings with offenders referred by Youth Court Services (Juvenile Probation). During CAB meetings, members discuss with the offender the nature of the offense and its negative consequences. Board members then develop a set of proposed consequences which they discuss with the offender, who has also suggested ways to make amends. The youth’s obligation to take responsibility for the harms caused by their actions is discussed and together they outline meaningful, achievable ways to do so in a Restorative Agreement. Subsequently, the offender must document his or her progress in fulfilling the terms of the agreement, which are reported back to the referring officials upon completion.

     

    Drug and Alcohol Accountability Panel (DAAP) – A program designed specifically for drug and alcohol related offenses. Each DAAP session involves a conversation between a youth Panel and a youth offender, emphasizing self-awareness and personal responsibility. All DAAP panel members are youth volunteers with past experiences that give them valuable perspective on substance use and its impact in their lives. It is not a treatment program, nor does it stem from a single philosophy of substance abuse. Through the DAAP process youth have the opportunity to take accountability for their offense, the harms caused by their actions and the impacts on themselves and others.

     

    Theft Impact Circle (TIC) – A program designed specifically for first-time misdemeanor theft charges. TIC aims to teach youth that stealing is a serious problem with long reaching affects for many people, including youth, families, and community. This program provides meaningful and achievable opportunities for youth to address harms caused by their offense and move forward in their lives in a positive way. The program is offered twice a month for 3-6 youth and is comprised of a two hour interactive group meeting with youth and parents, followed by a 3 hour mentored service learning activity for youth. CRYJ staff provides facilitation of the group and a store merchant/loss prevention officer provides insight from the victim perspective.

     

    Victim Offender Conferencing (VOC) –VOC is a restorative process in which victims and juvenile offenders sit down together, in a safe environment with a trained impartial facilitator, to discuss the impact and circumstances of a crime, as well as options for addressing the harm that was done. Youth Court views VOC as a way to directly hold youth accountable in a forum that actively involves victims in the juvenile justice process, and in some cases resolves restitution disputes and restores victim losses in innovative ways that benefit all stakeholders, including community. Involved victims are given an opportunity to tell their story of what happened, ask questions, and obtain meaningful restoration and restitution. In addition, it gives youthful offenders an opportunity to take direct responsibility for harm they have done and an attainable means to give remedy and closure. For the community, VOC addresses the welfare of all of its citizens by creating conditions that promote healthy relationships that deter crime and promote a sense of community ownership within youth.

     

     

     

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