Restorative Justice, Reentry & Mediation Trainings
Victim Offender Dialogue
(Bringing Victim & Offender Together to Discuss the Offense & Make Things Right)
After a crime has been committed, victim and offender can benefit in many ways by having the opportunity to discuss what happened, how they were affected and what can be done by the offender to make things right. While victims get a true sense of inclusion, justice and increased safety, offenders develop a greater sense of accountability, empathy, remorse and responsibility, which leads to lowered recidivism. Participants in this training will learn the detailed steps and communication skills for facilitating this highly effective process.
Family Reentry Meetings
(Reunifying Families After Incarceration & Developing Reentry Plans for Success)
As research shows, those returning from placement or incarceration succeed more and recidivate less when they have strong connections with family and a solid reentry plan. A Family Reentry Meeting provides the opportunity for accomplishing both: reunification and reconciliation with family and the development of a specific reentry plan addressing all aspects of the client’s new life (such as housing, employment, education, treatment, pro-social activities, etc.). In this training, participants will learn how to facilitate these meetings, both the specific protocol and the effective communication skills used to bring about a constructive process and successful outcome. This process, which is strengths-based and solution-focused, is excellent for both juveniles & adults returning home from incarceration.
Parent Teen Mediation
(Bringing Families Together to Learn Communication Skills, Resolve Conflicts & Make Agreements)
Using this effective process, facilitators can support teen probationers and their parents to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, develop mutual agreements and stay on track with Probation or diversion terms. This process is also very effective for creating safety/transition plans for teens returning home from Juvenile Hall. In this training, participants will learn the detailed steps and communication skills for facilitating the Parent Teen Mediation process, thereby supporting the family, in one meeting, to enhance their own communication skills and develop a solid plan for getting along at home and keeping the teen constructively moving forward.
Restorative Community Building Circles
(Bringing Groups Together to Build Communication, Agreements and Community)
Community Building Circles can provide the opportunity for incarcerated people to develop healthy relationships with each other based on creating a safe and supportive space to share experiences and ideas through structured conversation that enhances their connection and commitment to each others well-being. This training teaches staff and/or those who are incarcerated, to facilitate this effective process.
Conflict Resolution & Communication Skills
(Providing Crucial Life Skills for Getting Along with Others, Both During & After Incarceration)
Learning to get along well with others, through healthy, constructive communication, is crucial for success both during and after incarceration. Past participants in this hands-on training have been amazed at how quickly and easily they can shift the way they talk and listen to others in order to create less stressful, and much healthier, relationships. This training can be given directly to incarcerated people, or can be a training for trainers.
Anger Management
(Providing Understanding of, and Healthy Responses to, Anger)
Participants in this training will learn to recognize anger quickly, before it erupts, enhance skills for calming down, develop constructive ways to respond instead of destructive ways to react, and make choices that increase both self-esteem and healthy relationships with others. This training can be given directly to incarcerated people, or can be a training for trainers.
Family Transition Meetings
(Connecting Families Prior to Incarceration to Strengthen Bonds and Make Plans)
When a family member (juvenile or adult) leaves for incarceration, the entire family is impacted. Questions arise such as: “How do we all feel about what led up to this? How will we endure being apart? What is our plan for keeping in contact? What accomplishments are we all hoping for during incarceration? Will they be safe & productive? What are the goals for when they return?” Family Transition Meetings provide the opportunity to discuss these questions & more. They provide families with crucial communication at the beginning of, or during, incarceration, which strengthens bonds, builds hope & motivation, develops remorse & accountability, giving the client something to remember and work towards while incarcerated.
Mediation for Couples and Families Reuniting After Incarceration
(Building communication between couples and families after separation due to incarceration)
Upon reentry, getting along well with family is a crucial component for staying out and not recidivating. This mediation process supports reuniting couples and families to learn new ways to communicate, to resolve conflict and to develop agreements to live by. The process is highly effective for building successful relationships.
Restorative Justice Philosophy
(Provides Knowledge, Tools and Communication Skills for Incorporating RJ Philosophy into Your Work)
For those wishing to incorporate RJ philosophy into their current work, this training offers an in-depth understanding of this highly effective approach along with the tools and communication skills to apply an RJ mindset and practice to any program.
Vicki Assegued, M.A. has a Master’s Degree in Restorative Justice & Conflict Resolution and has been developing and directing programs & trainings for the past 20 years. Her engaging trainings are interactive, informative and impactful. Training participants will learn to effectively and skillfully facilitate these processes to bring about successful outcomes.
Please contact Vicki to schedule your upcoming trainings at: vicki@cruzio.com