Court Diversion
Court Diversion is a community-based alternative to the formal court process and gives the offender a chance to make amends to the victim and community. Volunteer community boards hold offenders accountable to victims and the community. Court Diversion is a confidential and voluntary program that results in the offender’s record being sealed upon successful completion of the program. Click to learn more about Vermont Court Diversion.
Teen Alcohol Safety Program
In 2000, the Vermont legislature decriminalized underage drinking and made first-time offenses a civil violation. The Teen Alcohol Safety Program (TASP) focuses on helping youth get proper screening, education and treatment for identified alcohol problems. TASP is a voluntary program that consists of teens attending a substance abuse screening and education program, completing community service, and completing a substance abuse assessment. Once TASP clients successfully complete the program their civil ticket is voided.
Juvenile Restorative Probation Project
The Juvenile Restorative Probation Project (JRPP) provides restorative panels and restitution case management to youth on probation. Restorative Panels hold youth accountable to victims and their community. Case Managers provide follow-up services to assure that restorative conditions of probation are completed. In addition, the JRPP provides young offenders with an opportunity to increase their skills and participate in a variety of community activities.
Community Support and Supervision
(Street Checker Program)
This program provides progressive levels of community support and supervision for youth on probation. Street Checkers provide community support such as curfew checks and assuring youth’s activities are consistent with probation conditions. The Street Checker Program offers youth opportunities to build their skills and successfully re-integrate into their own communities.
Pre-Charge and KAOS Programs
In partnership with both Mount Anthony Union Middle School (MAUMS) and Mount Anthony Union High School (MAUHS) , CRJ offers pre-charge alternatives to help prevent students from entering the juvenile justice system. Students identified as having broken school rules or who have committed chargeable offenses on school grounds may be offered this program as an alternative to school punitive sanctions. The Pre-Charge Program at MAUHS & Kids Are Our Strength (KAOS) Program at MAUMS helps students make amends to their victim and the school community.
Truancy Project
CRJ collaborates with three elementary schools in the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union (Pownal Elementary School, Bennington Elementary School, and Molly Stark School) to assist students and their families overcome barriers to school attendance. The program is designed to work with students who persistently fail to attend school and who have not responded to school interventions. CRJ’s Truancy Project is offered as a final option to the student and his/her parents as a way to address and correct the truancy problems before the case is filed with family court. Through identifying barriers, case management, and integrating contract conditions and community resources students are supported to successfully attend school on a daily basis.
Community Reentry Program
The Reentry Program serves 18-25 year olds who are returning to the community from incarceration. The Reentry Program uses the model of Cirlce of Support and Accountability (COSA). This program provides intensive case management services and utilizes a team of volunteers to help participants build relationships in the community and connect with social services necessary to assure successful community re-integration.
Reparative Program
Reparative Board meetings, run by trained volunteers, provide an offender the opportunity to take responsibility for his/her actions and repair the harm caused to victims and communities. Participants in the program are sentenced to probation by Criminal Court with one of their conditions of probation being to complete the Reparative Program. Offenders who participate in this program must accept responsibility for their role in the crime that was committed.
SHOP (Student Hope and Opportunity Program) 
SHOP afterschool program is open Tuesdays from 2:30 – 4:30 PM. Teens between 15 and 18 years old are invited to stop by CRJ. Activities, snacks and homework help available. Special events are scheduled monthly and include guests, movie nights, etc. All teens welcome!
