Communications Manager, Tanya Andersen Buckingham buckingham.tanya@danecounty.gov
Youth Justice Services, within Dane County Department of Human Services, is a leader in diversion programs used to repair harm between the community and youth who have committed a crime. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families is awarding Youth Justice with a grant of $75,000 for diversion methods for youth through evidence-based curriculum and restorative justice. The Dane County Health and Human Needs Committee voted to accept the funding during their meeting on Thursday, February 9. Youth who participate in the program serve the community through Restorative Justice Circles where the repair harm agreement may include outcomes such as, service-learning projects, employment, training in life skills, and participation in healthy relationships, mindfulness and positive decision-making support groups.
Briarpatch Program Director, Jay Kiefer, expects to serve up to 60 youth with this continuing funding, explaining that “Counselors within our Restorative Justice and Intensive Supervision programs will work with youth and victims to develop a restorative, repair harm agreement that identifies the client’s strengths and establishes goals to support their opportunity to be successful.” Kiefer adds, that the services do not stop there, “In addition to the Restorative Justice program, youth and their families can connect to our other services including counseling, parent support, runaway and homeless services as well as the ‘Teens Like Us’ program that provides counseling services and weekly group opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth.”
Based on the success of diverting youth from municipal charges, a new program began in 2022 for youth facing state charges. The processes will continue to build needed skills that will improve the lives of young people in our community who have committed a crime. Andre Johnson, Manager of the Youth Justice program for Dane County, celebrates the Innovation Grant funding for, “providing the opportunity to offer these services to more people, and reduce arrests of Dane County youth. Supporting a young person to do the hard work and correct an action, to build a relationship, and stay out of the system, is better for all of us.”
Youth are referred to Dane County Department of Human Services Court Diversion Unit by law enforcement. In order to qualify, a respondent must accept responsibility of wrongdoing, and commit to the repair harm agreement—a significant amount of work and dedication to their personal growth and their community. A victim may choose to participate in the process. A respondent will work with a facilitator to understand the community impacts of the offense, the victim will inform the youth of the harm they have caused, and how they can be ‘made whole’ which allows the opportunity for youth to self-reflect on his/her own strengths and needs to determine how they might repair harm. Of the roughly 600 expected referrals, annually, from law enforcement on state charges, it is anticipated that as many as 200 would be eligible for these services. Youth who participate are less likely to have a repeat offense.
