Balanced and Restorative Justice

"As we end the school year, we can see from the numbers that we are making inroads with improving attendance with the 15+ truant students we have targeted. Slow but sure! Having the Youth Services BARJ Coordinator serve as a family liaison around attendance issues has indeed been an effective part of our strategy."

—WSESU Developmental Assets Coordinator

The Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) program works with youth ages 10 through 22 who have been adjudicated in Family Court, are on probation, are at risk of a truancy filing, or require additional support or have Youthful Offender Status.  BARJ services focus on restorative interventions that reduce and eliminate further involvement in the juvenile justice system and encourage youth to choose healthy behaviors. Our BARJ coordinator assists youth and families by:

  • Identifying risk and protective factors that impact the likelihood of future involvement in the justice system.
  • Monitoring fulfillment of court-mandated activities
  • Offering individual or group coaching in conflict resolution, anger management, and other skills
  • Encouraging reparative processes such as restitution payments, victim impact letters or community services
  • Offering family-based and individual support to improve school attendance through the School Success Program.
  • Assisting in the process of gaining access to economic services, vocational training, school programs, transportation, and more.
  • What is Restorative Justice?