Foundations in Restorative Practices Program

If your employer is a compact member of the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce, you may be eligible to take this program at a reduced cost. Click here to learn more.

Five people sitting in circle around colorful tablecloth in the park by the bay in Belfast, Maine on a sunny dayPROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Today’s best thinking in leadership, education, and change management emphasize 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 authority figure, you can benefit from restorative practices. Over the course of this 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.

A social science that studies how to improve and repair relationships between people and communities, restorative practices can help build healthy communities, increase social capital, decrease crime and antisocial behavior, repair harm and restore relationships.

Restorative practices have deep roots in indigenous peacemaking and knowledge. Global indigenous communities have a long-standing history of living in alignment with what we now refer to as restorative justice and restorative practices. The indigenous roots of these systems are not monolithic—indigenous communities practice circles and justice in different ways. Part of honoring this work means we must stay humble, knowing that these practices came before us and will outlast us.

 

DATES & TIMES

Please sign up for the interest list and we’ll let you know when future program dates are announced.

MODALITY

Taught synchronously via Zoom. Participants will need access to stable internet.

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.

  • Day 1: Restorative Philosophy and Mindset
  • Day 2: Community-Building Circles
  • Day 3: Circle-Keeping Skills
  • Day 4: Conflict and Repairing Harm
  • Day 5: Circle-Keeping Skills II
  • Day 6: Implementation Planning

 

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.

Not sure if this program is right for you? Contact us at um.continuinged@maine.edu or 207.581.3113 and we can help you figure it out.

 

FACILITATORS

Restorative Justice Project

Photo of Sarah MatariSarah Matari (she/her/hers) began providing restorative practices and mediation services to institutions and communities early on in her alternative dispute resolution 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 experience in her directing of RJPM’s Training and Capacity Building Team.

 

Photo of Heather FoggHeather Fogg (she/her/hers) is thrilled to have joined RJP Maine in July 2021. Years of visits and learning the restorative landscape in the area make being here a dream come true. Heather values the interconnectedness of all people and honors that as a circle keeper, conflict coach, mediator, restorative dialogue and restorative reflection facilitator, community dialogue facilitator, conferencing facilitator, and Certified Optimum Life Breathologist (C.O.L.B.). Heather invitationally shares her love of the work by awakening the ideas and concepts within others via trainings, presentations, and teaching courses about conflict and resolution and restorative justice. She served on the board and leadership circle of the Circle of Restorative Initiatives (CRI) for Maryland, helping to spread the awakening to restorative values and the processes that support them. Heather was fortunate to grow in the field with years of support, love, and encouragement from colleagues and collaborators at the Maryland Judiciary Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO). Heather’s educational upbringing included studying psychology because she is fascinated by people and all the gifts each individual brings in the world.

Photo of Jamar WilliamsJamar Williams (he/him/his) arrived in August of 2021 with enthusiasm as a trainer on the Training and Capacity Building Team of RJP Maine. He has extensive experience in various aspects of the prison reentry field and has leveraged his expertise to educate others in universities, institutions and conferences across the country. Jamar’s focus on social and restorative justice has led him to relocate to Maine to train others on restorative justice practices. When he is not motivating others through speeches or helping them to live a life of purpose, he can be found participating in any kind of exercise. Bicycling, reading, writing, and going for walks are ways that he rounds out his day. Jamar also enjoys gathering around food with others as he exercises his culinary skills in the kitchen.

 

PROGRAM FEE

$900 per person for the six-session program including materials: such as Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change by Sherri Mitchell and a restorative justice manual.

Click here to apply for a need-based scholarship.

 

CLASS CAPACITY

25 participants per session.

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS

42 hours / 4.2 CEUs are available.

If you’d like to receive CEUs for participating in this course, please note this in your registration via our online store.

 

COACHING SUPPORT

For guaranteed transference of skills, ask about Restorative Justice Practices’ proven 1:1 coaching methods to support your training after the program itself has finished. For more information, contact Sarah Matari – smatari@rjpmidcoast.org.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

For more information or to request an accommodation contact um.continuinged@maine.edu, 207.581.3113.

A drawing featuring favorite places of recent RJP participants in the midcoast Maine area
A compilation drawing of recent Restorative Practices participants’ favorite places, created by Louise Marks.

“I have found it far easier to avoid jumping into an emotionally driven response and instead be able to respond from a more empathetic, better-clarified place. I have also become quite clear within myself that peace, civility, etc. are where my heart lies.” past participant