Restorative Justice Programs
Employee & Family Resources' Restorative Justice (RJ) programs provide a community-based alternative to the traditional criminal justice system for youth and young adults. Restorative justice principles focus on accountability for one's actions, identifying harms that are caused by wrongdoing, and finding ways to repair the harms. These programs hold youth accountable for their actions while providing a supportive learning environment to assist them in improving their decision-making skills for the future. EFR's restorative justice programs bring together youth and families, law enforcement, the court systems, crime victims, and communities as participants and beneficiaries of this process.
EFR became involved in community-based restorative justice programming in 2005 through collaboration with Teaching Peace in Longmont, Colorado, using a model named "ReThinking Drinking" to address underage drinking. The organization has found restorative justice concepts to be very fitting with EFR's overall mission and the visions of many other EFR programs. Since 2005, the list of restorative justice programs offered by the agency has expanded significantly. Below is a summary of the current restorative justice (RJ) programs at EFR.
ReThinking Drinking
The ReThinking Drinking (RD) Program addresses underage drinking through a combination of restorative justice and alcohol education. Youth are referred to the program by law enforcement when they encounter the youth in violation of alcohol offenses. In lieu of criminal charges, first-time offenders are given the opportunity to avoid court involvement on the offense if they successfully complete all program requirements. Parent participation is required in a five hour class that is held as a restorative justice circle. At the conclusion of the sessions, each youth participant establishes an agreement to complete three to five items that will repair the harm or impact of their offense. Successful completion of the ReThinking Drinking Program is dependent on each participant's compliance and completion of all program requirements. The RD Program is designed for first-time offenders.
Chance 4 Change
The Chance 4 Change (C4C) Program is based on the ReThinking Drinking model to address marijuana and paraphernalia possession offenses. Youth are referred to the program by law enforcement, schools and parents. The Chance 4 Change Program uses the restorative justice circle model with alcohol and drug education. Youth are given the opportunity to avoid court involvement for the offense if they successfully complete all program requirements. In addition to the requirements listed for the ReThinking Drinking program, C4C participants must also obtain a substance abuse evaluation and comply with all recommendations.
The Juvenile Restorative Justice Partnership
Since April 2006, Employee & Family Resources has been implementing a comprehensive juvenile restorative justice program in the city of Urbandale to address offenses including theft (shoplifting), assault, trespassing, criminal mischief (vandalism), drug possession, and forgery. The program is a collaborative effort with the City of Urbandale, Urbandale Police Department, juvenile court officials, the Urbandale Schools, local businesses, and Urbandale community members. Law enforcement in Urbandale refer youth to the program as an alternative to juvenile court involvement.
If you would like more information or have been referred to one of our RJ programs, please contact EFR Community Services.
