RESTORATIVE PRACTICES CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Today’s best thinking in leadership, education, and change management emphasizes the need to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and part of a community that cares. Whether you are a teacher, parent, principal, health care provider or an authority figure, you can benefit from restorative practices. Over the course of this certificate program, you’ll be part of a supportive learning group on a fulfilling journey of growth and change.
Through discussions, exercises and other practical activities you’ll deepen your knowledge of the philosophy behind restorative practices. You’ll also gain techniques to build strong, connected cultures. When conflict occurs you’ll have non-adversarial problem-solving tools to reach solutions that build safer, healthier, more equitable environments.
Practice new ways of relating to people and holding power. Instead of experiencing resistance and avoidance or having to rely on lecturing, scolding and threatening interventions, the systematic use of restorative practices will leave you and the people you interact with feeling connected to positive, resilient and accountable communities.
Learn firsthand from people and organizations already using restorative practices in their everyday life and work. Hear from criminal justice professionals, teachers and others who are using restorative practices to transform their organizations and outcomes.
Restorative practices is a social science that studies how to improve and repair relationships between people and communities. The purpose is to build healthy communities, increase social capital, decrease crime and antisocial behavior, repair harm and restore relationships.
MODALITY
Update: August and September meetings will be held online, using Zoom (with breaks). Closer to October, we’ll re-evaluate our options for potentially meeting in-person. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding.
Because the original plan was to hold the course concurrently in two locations (Bath and Belfast), we still ask participants to select their location upon registering.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Participants will:
- Acquire a strong theoretical foundation in restorative practices that have been proven to enhance both personal and professional spheres
- Develop the skills necessary to facilitate proactively and repair harm
- Have access to planning tools and resources tailored to your specific needs
- Gain techniques to build strong, connected cultures
- Learn problem-solving tools to reach solutions that build safer, healthier and more equitable environments
- Practice new ways of relating to people, and organizations
- Improve decision-making and leadership skills.
- Gain access to future support and development opportunities to become an in-house resource for restorative practices
Participants will also benefit from building connections with other professionals who are committed to living the values and principles of restorative practices.
TOPICS COVERED
In the first two-day session you’ll learn about the basics of restorative practice: the philosophy, mindset, tools and practices that make up a restorative toolbox including the use of restorative dialogue and community circles.
Subsequent sessions will provide opportunities to dive deeper into topic areas that interest you most and get feedback and support from instructors and peers.
WHO SHOULD ENROLL
Participants from a variety of fields will benefit from this dynamic program, including
- Teachers, educators, administrators of primary, secondary and post-secondary schools
- Social workers and family services workers
- Corrections, criminal justice and policing
- Nonprofit organizations
- Healthcare workers
- Community development workers
This program uses a team-based model. To benefit the most from the efforts of your restorative practice, participating groups should form teams including at least three to five people from your business/community group/organization/school. At least one team member should be an administrator and your team should be representative of your school or organization’s diverse community.
Those not associated with an institution will be partnered with other individuals for team-based work.
FACILITATORS
Sarah Matari began providing restorative practices and mediation services to institutions and communities early on in her legal career. As a trainer and consultant for the NYC Department of Education restorative pilot project, she delivered mediation and restorative circle trainings to staff and students in an effort to help schools work towards restorative culture change. She learned first hand the importance of having a sustainable implementation strategy and team approach when engaging with restorative practices and brings that to her role as Manager of Institutional Implementation at the Restorative Justice Project in Belfast.
As a health educator and advocate, Carrie Sullivan has championed policies and programs aimed at improving individual and community health. She promotes restorative practices as a framework that honors and invites the voices of all stakeholders into shaping lasting solutions to the deepest challenges. Sullivan currently serves as Program Director for the Restorative Justice Project in Belfast and oversees the formation of community justice centers in midcoast Maine in partnership with UMaine and local leadership teams.
PROGRAM DATES & TIMES
Dates: Aug 20 & 21, Sept 25, Oct 29 & 30, and Nov 19
Times: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (with breaks)
PROGRAM FEE
$650 per person for the six-session program and includes materials, including Peacemaking Circles: From Conflict to Community, by Kay Pranis. Need-based scholarships for Knox and Waldo County residents who plan to use the skills gained in the course to benefit their community. More information about need-based scholarships is here.
LOCATION(S)
The first two months of this program will be conducted via Zoom. Closer to October, we’ll re-evaluate our options for potentially meeting in-person. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding.
Because the original plan was to hold the course concurrently in two locations (Bath and Belfast), we still ask participants to select their location upon registering.
CLASS CAPACITY
Bath: 20
Belfast: 20
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
4.2 CEUs/42 contact hours
Certificate for completing the entirety of this 42-hour course
For more information or to request an accommodation contact Michelle Patten, Conference and Professional Development Coordinator, um.fhc.pd@maine.edu; 207.338.8002.
