Help safeguard tax dollars. Report suspicious activity.
Growing stronger communities through restorative relationships
Communities across Minnesota know that strong relationships have the power to change lives.
Whether it's helping a student stay connected to school, supporting a family through a difficult time or creating opportunities for someone to repair harm and move forward, lasting change begins with people who know one another, trust one another and are committed to helping one another succeed.
That's the foundation of restorative practices, and it's why DCYF is investing in community-led solutions through the Restorative Practices Initiative.
This year, DCYF awarded approximately $2 million to 11 new organizations that are expanding restorative practices across Minnesota. Each project reflects the unique strengths, cultures and priorities of the communities it serves while sharing a common goal: helping youth, families and communities build stronger relationships and brighter futures.
Relationships are at the heart of stronger communities
Restorative practices are built on a simple but powerful idea: relationships matter.
By creating opportunities for people to listen, understand different perspectives, take responsibility for harm and work together toward solutions, restorative practices help strengthen trust, accountability and belonging within communities.
That approach closely aligns with DCYF's Whole Family Approach, recognizing that children thrive when the adults, families and communities around them are supported.
"Every child deserves to grow up surrounded by people who know them, care about them and want them to succeed. Restorative practices help communities build and strengthen those relationships so that when challenges arise, people have the trust and support to work through them together. That's how we create stronger families, stronger communities and better outcomes for children," said Alicia Nichols, Director, Office of Restorative Practices, DCYF.
Communities across Minnesota have been using restorative practices in many forms for generations. The Restorative Practices Initiative builds on those existing efforts by helping organizations expand successful programs, strengthen partnerships and increase access to restorative approaches that reflect local needs.
Investing in communities already leading the way
Every community experiences challenges differently. That's why DCYF invests in organizations that understand their communities best rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
The 11 newly funded organizations represent schools, Tribal communities and nonprofit organizations working to strengthen relationships, promote accountability and create opportunities for youth and families to thrive.
Funding will support a wide range of community-led efforts, including school-based restorative practices, family engagement, youth leadership, restorative justice, healing circles, workforce development and culturally responsive programming.
"The people closest to a community understand its strengths, its challenges and its opportunities. By investing in local partnerships, we're helping communities across Minnesota build on what already works, creating more opportunities for youth and families to thrive," said Kate Weeks, Assistant Commissioner, Economic Opportunity and Youth Services, DCYF.
Community-led solutions in action
Each of the newly funded organizations is responding to the unique needs of its community while using restorative practices to strengthen relationships and create better outcomes.
At Buffalo High School, restorative practices are expanding from a primarily reactive response to behavioral incidents into a proactive, schoolwide approach. New staff capacity, student leadership opportunities and restorative circles will help strengthen relationships, reduce disciplinary disparities and keep more students connected to learning.
The Fond du Lac Ojibwe School is expanding restorative practices beyond the classroom by bringing together students, families, Tribal agencies, behavioral health providers, Tribal courts and community partners. Grounded in Anishinaabe values, the initiative strengthens collaboration while addressing challenges such as absenteeism, behavioral concerns and juvenile justice involvement through healing, accountability and community support.
Transforming Generations is expanding culturally grounded restorative programming within Minnesota's Hmong community. The organization combines restorative practices with survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches that strengthen accountability, support healing and foster healthier family relationships while helping interrupt cycles of violence.
At Damascus Way Reentry Center, individuals with lived experience in the justice system will receive training and mentorship to become restorative practice leaders. The initiative builds community capacity while supporting successful reentry, stronger families and expanded access to restorative services throughout Minnesota.
Although each project reflects different communities and different approaches, they all demonstrate the same principle: when communities invest in relationships, everyone benefits.
Building a stronger Minnesota together
The Restorative Practices Initiative is about more than funding individual programs. It's about investing in people, partnerships and communities that are already creating opportunities for children, youth and families to thrive.
As these 11 organizations begin expanding their work, they join a growing statewide network committed to strengthening relationships, fostering accountability and building communities where people feel connected, supported and valued.
Every community has its own story, its own strengths and its own path forward. By investing in community-led solutions, DCYF is helping ensure those communities have the resources to build on what already works and create lasting change for future generations.
Because when relationships grow stronger, communities grow stronger and when communities grow stronger, children, youth and families have more opportunities to thrive.
Stay connected with the Minnesota Office of Restorative Practices
For questions or additional information, contact the Office of Restorative Practices.