September 21, 2022. CYFA is proud to have been issued Arlington County's first grant for restorative practices after a competitive and equitable funding process. CYFA was one of many cross-sector partners tapped by the County in 2020 to provide expertise on restorative justice and guidance on a strategic vision for implementation of restorative practices throughout the community. CYFA looks forward to continuing collaborative practices focused on advancing community-building, addressing harm, and promoting racial and social equity.
CYFA Will Lead the County's Restorative Practices
The County's grant vesting restorative practices with a community-based nonprofit organization was three years in the making.
- In 2020, the County commenced a community initiative focused on advancing restorative practice.
- In 2021, the Arlington County Board directed the County Manager to transition the initiative to a community-based organization.
- In 2022, a competitive process was used to award the County's first public funds committed to restorative justice.
The County's funding process was fair and equitable, and it started after the County Manager publicly issued a Notice of Funding Available seeking proposals of innovative ideas for community-based restorative practices. Each proposal was reviewed and evaluated by subject-matter experts from the County Manager's office, Arlington County Police Department, Arlington Department of Human Services, and Arlington Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Services Unit. The review panel voted to award the County's restorative justice grant fully to CYFA.
At the September 20 public hearing, County staff informed the Board that CYFA's proposal was "viewed strongly," and the review panel appreciated:
- CYFA's multi-pronged approach to advancing restorative practices throughout the community;
- CYFA's grounding of racial equity in its programming; and
- CYFA's strong legal perspective.
The County Board voted unanimously to approve the County Manager's recommendation to award CYFA the restorative justice grant.
CYFA Is Known for Excellent Delivery of Restorative Practices
CYFA appreciates the support of the County Board and its vision of how restorative practices can be embedded throughout the community. As Chair Dorsey so poignantly stated at the public hearing, "[T]he field [of restorative practice] is ongoing, and we should embrace the inquiry of all the possibilities of where that can take us." CYFA is excited to take that journey with the County and the community.
Please follow the link to view the County's Manager's presentation and the Board's deliberations: https://bit.ly/3DEr2Yh.
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