Community Restorative Practices Project

Youth Services (soon to be renamed Interaction) proposes the Community Restorative Practices Project to enhance restorative interventions in Windham County, Vermont, minimizing reliance on the criminal justice system. This initiative will offer free and voluntary programs focusing on community conflict assistance, victim support, and reentry opportunities for incarcerated individuals. Anticipated outcomes include increased adoption of restorative practices countywide, enhanced engagement of crime victims in restorative processes, improved skills among those impacted by the justice system, and reduced dependency on adversarial approaches to conflict resolution. The project targets individuals affected by crime, current and former inmates, and community members facing conflicts, especially those with limited access to traditional conflict resolution services.