SYMPOSIUM---Presentation Descriptions

Community Circles: Building a Restorative Path for Re-entry in to our Community
Amanda Nagl, Estes Park Police Department

Community Circles has been implemented for four years as a pilot project in Estes Park and is now fully funded as of January, 2010; it receives referrals from Larimer County Parole Services for individuals returning to the Estes Valley, post incarceration.  The program involves an on-going circle process where community members commit to meeting with the core member for the time of parole, weekly initially with frequency determined by the group as time progresses.  The process begins with a meeting with the parole officer and the group in which the offender tells his/her story and all work to identify the harm caused by the offender’s actions.  The group then identifies strengths and weaknesses of the offender in six areas of life:  employment, family, social interactions, substance abuse, community functioning and emotional, which provides a framework for goal setting and weekly contract forming.  The circle is a resource of knowledge, encouragement and accountability for the parolee and security for the community.

COVA Victim Rights Act (VRA) Course
Dan Griffin, COVA Training Coordinator

This training is designed to explain the Colorado Victim Rights Act (VRA) in a way that is both meaningful and useful.  All participants will receive the COVA VRA guide, which includes a plain language interpretation and breakdown of the statutes, as well as the language of the actual amendment and all related enabling statutes included in appendices.  

The class will start with a presentation of the history of the VRA, so that participants have some understanding of the intent of VRA legislation.  The history presentation will be followed by a study of the VRA statutes and the responsibilities they create for law enforcement officers, as well as for other entities in the criminal justice system.  The class will conclude with a presentation on the VRA compliance process and a post-course quiz.

A Dialogue with Howard Zehr,  Center for Justice & Peacebuilding

This workshop will provide an opportunity to dialogue with Howard and other workshop participants on issues of restorative justice theory and practice raised by the group.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter
Kathy Ziola, Center for Nonviolent Communication

This interactive workshop will provide education and skill building in the powerful model of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Empathic Listening and Responding.  Participants will learn and practice how to get to the heart of the matter while building respect, trust and compassion and moving toward recovery and healing.  Participation in the “Intro to Nonviolent Communication to Empower Restorative Justice” session is strongly recommended.

Integrating Restorative Justice Principles and Practices into Local Programs
Pat Ruffini, Teen Court
Jerry O’Hare, Neighborhood Justice & Juvenile Diversion
Laurie Wood, Manitou Springs School District 14
Stan Garnett,  Boulder County DA

Pete Lee, Panel Moderator

Jerry O'Hare will discuss how restorative justice principles and practices are utilized in Neighborhood Justice and Juvenile Diversion.  Pat Ruffini will discuss the start up of community impact panels and restorative mediation into the Teen Court process and how these new programs are a benefit to the juvenile offenders, victims and the community in relationship to restorative justice. Laurie Wood will discuss how Partner for Healthy Choices program integrates restorative justice in the  Manitou Springs school system and community. Stan Garnet will use examples from the 20th Judicial District to explain how RJ techniques and principals can be expanded to help resolve cases through the Criminal Justice system more effective, efficient and complete.

The Intersections between Bullying Intervention Models and RJ Principles and Practices; Promises and Pitfalls
Alice M. Price & Luke Yoder, Center for Restorative Programs

Neither retributive nor zero tolerance practices have proven effective for addressing bullying in schools.  Nor do traditional models of inter-personal conflict mediation appropriately address the power imbalances inherent in bullying dynamics.  Research and related literature now point to promising practices drawn from restorative justice models.  What do these practices look like?  How do they compare and contrast with other bullying prevention approaches?  What are we learning?  What questions/concerns remain? 

Introduction to Nonviolent Communication to Empower Restorative Justice
Kathy Ziola,  Center for Nonviolent Communication

Participants will understand the underlying assumptions of Nonviolent Communication, have a basic understanding of the four components of the model and the three modes of use and explore how the model can be applied in RJ situations.

The Nuts and Bolts of Restorative Justice
Manitou Springs High School Students

Manitou Springs High School has been actively involved in Restorative Justice since 2006.  A number of students have been trained as co facilitators in restorative justice and are actively involved in school cases as well as cases referred through the Manitou Springs Municipal Court.  The students will interactively present the process of restorative justice including:  referrals, types of cases, pre conferences, working with victims, working with offenders, the role of community members, conferencing, written agreements and follow up. 

The Promise and the Challenge of Restorative Justice for Victims
Howard Zehr,  Center for Justice & Peacebuilding

Restorative justice promises to give a central role to victims and their needs.  But are we living up to this promise?  What are some of the challenges to doing so?  How can we better live up to the promises?

Drawing in part upon stories and photos in his book, "Transcending: Reflections of Crime Victims," Zehr will explore the justice needs of victims, the ways that restorative justice can help meet those needs, and the challenges to doing so in practice.  He will also suggest ways that RJ can improve its practice in this area.

Restoring Justice: Identifying and Integrating Restorative Practices within the Criminal Justice System
Matt Riede, Jefferson County

The practice of Restorative Justice (RJ) has been growing in Colorado over the past 20 years. In that time, RJ practitioners and others throughout the legal and judicial systems have faced many thought-provoking and difficult questions.  When is it appropriate to bring a victim together with their offender? If it is not appropriate to bring them together, can the work done with either party be considered truly restorative? What role should the community have in these issues? Is it possible to shift judicial practices in a way that can support healing and accountability while providing a place for victims and community to be heard? 

New approaches to these questions are emerging in Jefferson County and the 1st Judicial District, where the questions being asked are:  What are we already doing that is restorative, and what can the judicial system do to be more restorative in practice? Under the leadership of Cheryl Lammers, Chief Probation Officer in the 1st JD, representatives from multiple agencies throughout the district as well as the community have been exploring these questions over the past 3 years.  Please join us to learn about what has been implemented, current developments and what is on the drawing board. 

Restorative Mediation Project
Ken Jaray, The Law Firm of Jaray & Webster, LLC.

Ken Jaray will present updated information about the development and implementation of the Restorative Medication Project.  Ken and many others in our community have been working to implement restorative mediation practices as an alternative to litigation in the resolution of personal injury and medical error claims.

Restorative Practices in Schools:  An interactive Overview of Restorative Justice in Denver Public Schools
Holly Gorman, Denver Public Schools

Denver Public Schools Restorative Justice Initiative seeks to provide a comprehensive and evaluative approach to promote peace and relationship building through research-based, Restorative Justice Principles and Practices to include, but not limited to: mediation, conferencing, and peace circles.  The goal is to reduce police tickets and suspensions within DPS.  This is done through collaborative efforts with students, parents, teachers, administration, courts, and community.  Overall long-term goals reduce suspensions, increase attendance, thus increasing graduation rates.  

Participants in the workshop can voluntarily participate in a brief overview on how to use School-based, Restorative Questions to address conflicts when working with both youth and adults.  Participants will hear and can ask questions about the successful and not so successful district-wide and school-based efforts to include: utilizing restorative practices as Rti (response to intervention), as a tool in lieu of and with zero tolerance policies, training and coaching, lessons learned, future efforts for continuation, resistance, and “where do we go from here?”  

“It's one of the tools in an ever-expanding discipline toolbox, and anyone who thinks it's an easy way out for students should sit in on a session. Descriptions of restorative justice typically emphasize accountability, empathy, community, the repairing and rebuilding of relationships.”  Tina Griego, Denver Post.  

Finally, the most recent data will be shared concerning the effectiveness of Restorative Interventions at Abraham Lincoln High School and other DPS schools. 

RJColorado.org & RJ Colorado Online are New Tools to Support & Promote Your RJ Program
Mary Carr & Deb Witzel, Teaching Peace

Part of the statewide launch of RJColorado.org and RJ Colorado Online, this session will teach you how to use these tools to maximize their value.  These websites will help promote your program, publications and RJ ideas while informing and educating your public about RJ.  They will also help you connect and share with other RJ programs in Colorado.  If you bring your laptop you can click along in this session.  (Become a member of RJ Colorado Online at the Conference for FREE)

Thinking On Your Feet (or in your seat) in the Heat of the Moment
Deb Witzel, Teaching Peace
Leslie Maya-Charles, 19th Judicial District Restorative Justice Partnership
Randall Huntsberry, Listening Unlimited
Kevin Pugh, Flagstaff Academy

This experiential workshop builds skills for responding in the moment improvisationally, while keeping purpose and values intact during facilitation or other RJ processes.  This interactive session enhances self and group awareness and offers practical tools for responding to the unexpected. Participants will learn to recognize when conference participants have moved away from the agenda and develop skills, when needed, for creating/ revising an agenda in the moment.  They will increase their ability to respond authentically and maintain professional boundaries. 

Using Peace Circles in Schools & Communities
Kiri Saftier, Circle Keeper & Facilitator
Cheryl O'Shell, People Offering People Support Program, Thompson School District

“Peace Circle” is a storytelling process that gives equal voice to all participants.  Circles differ from community group conferencing and family group decision making in format, but not in the basic principles of restorative practices in circumstances of conflict, harm and difficulty, a need for resolution and team building.  Circles allow participants to speak about an identified subject and allow sharing of perspectives and stories.  In school settings, circles help to break down barriers and promote safety and belonging.  In community settings, circles encourage connections between participants and allow for improved communication to address issues.

Victim’s Panel-Experience with Restorative Practices
Sandy Eversole, Sharletta C. Evans

Restorative justice practices aim to facilitate the reparation of harm caused by crime by directly involving the victim, offender and community in the processes. Throughout these practices, victims are given an opportunity to express their needs and the impact on them as victims, ask questions and participate in creating a plan for the offender to repair the harm caused. The victims panel will provide an opportunity for listeners to hear first hand from victims of a variety of crimes, and their experiences with participating in restorative practices.