Restorative Justice Youth Violence Prevention Pilot Project

Restorative Justice Youth Violence Prevention Pilot Project is sponsored by Contra Costa County Probation Department. This Request for Proposals (RFP) is for organizations to pilot a restorative justice youth violence prevention program in Contra Costa County.

Restorative Justice Youth Violence Prevention Pilot Project Agenda Project Background and Overview Funding Opportunity Required Components Evaluation Task: Embed restorative justice practices and programming throughout the county. Develop a program model that centers the needs and experiences of victims of harm.

Pilot a project to test a victim-centered framework to resolve conflicts and prevent escalating violence or delinquency among children, youth, and young adults. Convene partners and practitioners in trainings and dialogue to establish consensus on practice models, definitions, and the long-term strategic opportunities to advance restorative justice.

Use written practice guidelines and monitoring standards to establish fidelity and demonstrate outcomes. Available Funding: (potential continuation in year 3, based on demonstration of success and funding availability) > Funding for one or more projects Overarching Project Objectives Adopt a restorative framework that repairs harm caused by delinquent or criminal behaviors.

Create a victim-centered framework that engages all parties and provides a process for nurturing responsibility and accountability. Prioritize practices that foster hope, healing, rehabilitation, and resiliency. RJYVP Pilot Project Required Project Components  A place-based response that centers services within neighborhoods.

 A system of soliciting referrals to the program by caring adults, such as school and community partners or family members.  Delivery of restorative practices applied appropriately and with fidelity to the model.  Completion of a restorative agreement to repair harm.

 Wrap-around support services, such as case management or mentoring.  A process for conducting follow-up assessments and ensuring participant safety and satisfaction.  A system to recruit, train, and supervise project staff.

 Engage in technical assistance and capacity building.

 Collect data, maintain records, and participate in the project evaluation Identifying Population Needs Each applicant is responsible for selecting and defining their own target population (participants must be children, youth, or young adults 8-24) as best addresses local needs : • Developmentally Suitable * Looking for projects that prevent and mitigate harm between young people at risk of escalating engagement within groups or cliques or participating in retaliatory violence.

Applicants should clearly articulate the community of interest by a specific and measurable definition : • Schools or School catchment areas * Looking for projects that are place-based and address the needs of high-priority areas. This establishes a broad criteria of eligibility. Applicants should provide a narrower definition of who they will work with.

Qualifications Knowledge of the population and community to be served. Understand:  Cultural Competency & Gender Responsiveness  Positive Youth Development Approach  Trauma-Informed Principles & Practices  Restorative and/or Healing-Centered Practices Capacity to participate in a pilot project including measuring and tracking client data.

Experience:  Defining, measuring, and tracking impact and outcome measures  Data collection and monitoring  Continuous quality improvement  Working with an outside evaluator Joint applications are welcome. The entity with the greatest fiscal/grants management capacity should be the lead partner. Opportunity Accountability Why Apply?

This project is an answer to a problem you have already identified. Who are you worried about? What is missing in your community?

Which restorative practices are suitable? How can we help you learn? Building your Program Model 2.

Layer a Restorative Intervention into your program model: • RJ to Repair Community Tensions or School Climate • Victim Offender Meetings • Family Group Conferencing 1.

Identify existing resources: • Cognitive Interventions Comprehensive Approach A comprehensive approach will also include activities and processes for the different stages of the work: • Strategies for obtaining referrals and engaging potential participants • Oversight and management of the specific RJ interventions and associated wrap around support services • Processes to ensure agreements and commitments are met, participants have a feeling of safety and healing, and a reasonable level of confidence that harm is not recurring.

Contra Costa County Probation Department will be seeking proposals from interested respondents seeking to partner with the County in conducting and evaluating a restorative justice pilot project.

Eligible applicants include: • Local education agencies (school districts, etc.) • Cities and towns (municipal agencies or departments) • Non-profit organizations • For-profit organizations Program must serve Contra Costa County residents Measures of Success The evaluation will investigate: -RJ Practices are implemented with fidelity -RJ Program clients represent the intended target population -Clients successfully complete program activities and all parties express satisfaction with the restorative solution.

-Clients successfully engage with pro-social activities or other long-term support services. -No similar incidents are reported by either party within six months of case conclusion. -Community metrics show declines in the type of incidents intended to be addressed by the program (e.g. suspensions for fighting, weapons confiscated, etc.).

-Costs are reasonable for the program. -Program achieves similar or better results than would otherwise occur with different investments. Final tips & takeaways Application release: September 16, 2024* Mandatory Bidders Conference: September 23, 2024 Proposal responses are due: October 22, 2024 > *timeline as currently planned 1.

Review Probation’s restorative justice project reports. 2. Consider the challenges within your neighborhood or community.

3. Reach out to community partners to discuss joint opportunities. Consider the importance of a referring partner, an RJ partner, and a service partner to provide follow up supports.

Thank you