These are some of the questions we hear the most frequently. If you are having difficulty finding the answer in your Teen’s Restorative Agreement or on the CRYJ website, feel free to contact CRYJ staff by calling (406) 257-7400 or texting (406) 200-8184.
What does CRYJ look like for parents?
We ask that parents participate in the initial Family Conference, as well as a Community Impact Circle. The remainder of CRYJ’s program elements are for teens only — sorry, no parents allowed!
Is there a fee?
There is no fee for youth to participate in CRYJ programs.
How does CRYJ maintain communication with teens and families?
Our staff maintain weekly contact with teens to keep them updated on their progress. We can easily extend this communication to parents as needed, and will always loop parents in if staff members are having difficulty reaching a participant.
When and where to teens attend workshops?
CRYJ typically offers service Monday through Thursday, with workshops taking place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. CRYJ sends texts at the beginning of every week to each teen with a reminder of their appointments and workshops. CRYJ's youth workshops calendar is also available here.
How long do teens have to complete their program agreement?
Refer to your Restorative Agreement for the completion date. Typically the agreement must be completed within 90 days from the date of referral from Youth Court, or 30 days from the point of a family conference for teens referred through their School Resource Officer/school administrator.
What happens if a teen gets sick or has other scheduling conflicts?
We understand that unavoidable illness or scheduling conflicts may arise. While we like to see teens once a week, all we need is open communication from families when life happens! If a teen is unable to attend CRYJ service once every 10 days, we ask that they contact CRYJ staff to discuss options.
What will happen if a teen does not complete the requirements of the Restorative Agreements?
CRYJ staff make every effort to support the success of the teens we work with in completing their Restorative Agreements. However, attendance and engagement is ultimately their choice. If all aspects of the agreement are not completed by the completion date, the case will be referred back to Youth Court or the School Resource Officer/school administrator who made the initial referral. At that point, charges may be formally filed or increased suspension time may be reinstated.
