Restorative Group Conferencing Facilitator Training, May 5, 6, & 7, 2010 in Philadelphia

Restorative Group Conferencing

Facilitator Training

We are all affected by offenses committed in our community. Restorative Group Conferencing (RGC), a proven method for community engagement, offers offenders, those they have harmed, people who support each of them, and members of the community a voluntary opportunity to meet face-to-face to discuss an offense. In a structured secure environment, participants learn how each party was affected and work together to resolve the incident to the greatest extent possible. RCG allows offenders to be directly accountable for their actions; victims the opportunity for healing and a voice in a just process; and the community the ability to learn how best to become agents of support. Nationally, Restorative Group Conferencing is used to address harm in schools, as diversion programs in the Juvenile Court and after disposition.

To train facilitators in this innovative model, the Good Shepherd Mediation Program is offering a 24-hour Restorative Group Conferencing Facilitator Training, May 5-7, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Mediation Program located at 5356 Chew Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138.

This program is open to all community members and is especially beneficial to school personnel, criminal justice professionals, law enforcement, victim advocates, social workers, leaders of the faith community and neighborhood activists.

The Restorative Group Conferencing Training includes: an introduction to restorative justice; its principles and history in Pennsylvania; development of an understanding of victims, offenders and the community needs; instruction on meeting facilitation skills; and experiential learning to effectively conduct face-to-face meetings between victims, offenders, their support, and the community to address the impact of an offense.

The cost of this training is $375.00, and $425.00 for attorneys seeking CLE credits (19.5 substantive). Participants must attend all 24 hours to receive a Certificate of Completion.