Restorative Justice and Teen Empowerment at CRYJ
CRYJ works with teens who are involved or at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system, incorporating best-practice models rooted in restorative justice, trauma-informed care, youth empowerment, and positive youth development.
Flathead Valley & Missoula
CRYJ expanded program offerings in 2025, and now works in the two largest communities in Western Montana. We emphasize a community-based approach to equitably engaging and empowering the most vulnerable young people in the Flathead Valley and Missoula.
Youth Court Diversion
CRYJ’s long term partnership with Flathead County’s Youth Court Services and new partnership with Missoula County Youth Court Services provides an opportunity for teens to take accountability and find support after an incident occurs without further contact or involvement with criminal justice systems. A teen’s interaction with law enforcement typically leads to a meeting with a youth court probation officer, at which point that probation officer will determine if CRYJ participation is an appropriate next step. CRYJ teens referred by Youth Court Services engage in a “Program Agreement” with CRYJ that is tailored to the individual youth, including components such as restorative conferencing, individual meetings, and group workshops.
School Justice Partnership
CRYJ’s partnership with Flathead and Missoula County school administrators and School Resource Officers allows teens to be referred to CRYJ in response to both escalating behavior and acute school-based incidents. This represents an earlier-stage diversion than our Youth Court Services partnership provides, creating an alternative avenue for addressing harm while reducing the use of exclusionary discipline policies. With their participation at CRYJ, teens face fewer days of in and out of school suspension and no criminal charge, allowing them to remain a part of their school community while addressing the impacts and root causes of their actions. CRYJ’s School Justice Partnership includes all middle and high schools within Kalispell Public Schools and Bigfork School District, as well as Evergreen Junior High, Somers Middle School, Helena Flats School, and all high schools within Missoula County Public Schools.
Community Trainings & Consulting
As the only youth-based restorative justice organization in Montana, our mission is not only to do the work, but also to share the work we do. The Montana Board of Crime Control consistently recognizes CRYJ’s innovative blend of Restorative Justice and youth empowerment as a model program for delinquency prevention. We acknowledge that our expertise is an opportunity to share restorative practices with others in our community, as well as communities beyond the Flathead Valley and Missoula who are interested in implementing or expanding restorative practices.
Take a look at our events calendar, or be in touch to schedule a personalized training.
Teen in Residence
The CRYJ Teen in Residence (TR) Program offers youth identified as both particularly at-risk and natural leaders in workshops the opportunity to work with CRYJ’s team as paid staff members. These positions empower former CRYJ participants with leadership, social, and job-based skills. Tailored to an individual youth’s specific interests, they have an opportunity to work along CRYJ staff to develop their skills, bring their interests and experiences into workshops as a peer leader, and engage at a deeper level with their community.