Community Restorative Justice Center Inc

Court Diversion accounts for 31% of total program services. Court Diversion is a restorative alternative to the court process. The state's attorney may offer Diversion to adults or youth who are charged with committing a crime (or youth charged with being delinquent). After successful completion of the program, the original charge is dismissed. Also under Diversion is the civil and criminal DLS (Drivingwith License Suspended) Program. This program helps people regain their Vermont driver's license while they off their fines and fees. Participants work with Diversion staff to develop a contract and payment plan. After the Vermont Judicial Bureau approves the contract - and other Department of Motor Vehicles requirements are met, the person's driver's license is reinstated. Also under Diversion is the Youth Substance Safety Awareness Program YSASP). This Program holds young people accountable for breaking underage drinking laws, educates them about the consequences and risks of alcohol, and identifies youth with potential substance abuse problems so they may receive treatment. The program is a voluntary alternative to a $300 fine and 90-day driver's license suspension. Pre-Trial services is a program that works with Responsible Parties to assist them through the court process offering brief mental health and substance misuse screenings. Tamarack, a more personalized case management program, is offered to responsible parties with a longer criminal record, or who have experienced substance misuse or continued mental health struggles.

Transitional Housing accounts for 24% of total program services. The State recognizes the need to develop community partnerships for individuals leaving the correctional facilities to successfully transition back to the community. This program is meant to support the provision of transitional housing, rental assistance, housing search and retention, and other supportive services for individuals released to the community from correctional facilities. Two full-time staff manage four houses/apartments in two towns, St. Johnsbury and Lyndonville. There are 11 available beds total, eight for men and three for women.

2.2% ($14,510) of program services is the Legal Program (Free Legal Clinic and Information and referral) partially funded by the Vermont Bar Association. 1.4% of program services ($8,351) of program service is the Opioid Remediation Funds Grant. These funds pay for opioid remediation education and a rural transportation grant providing transportation to treatment services and other vital rural transportation needs. 4% of program services ($24,137) were made up of the now- completed Vermont Dept. of Health Grant that provided Language Access education to Community Justice Centers in Vermont. 0.3% of expenses ($2000) were accounted for in a Foodbank Grant that provided food cards at local grocery stores for unhoused people. The remaining 1.1% of program services ($6,341) goes to other smaller programs like the Parking Ticket Appeal Board and the community fridge that supplies free food to people who are homeless or unable to afford food.