ROCHESTER — Olmsted County residents are invited to participate in the formation of a Restorative Practices Advisory Committee.

In the work led by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s

Office of Restorative Practices,

the new committee will seek to bring together residents, law enforcement representatives and community organizations to promote and sustain restorative practices throughout the county.

Restorative approaches are ways of dealing with conflict that focus on repairing relationships and building understanding between the injured and those who have caused harm. The methods are voluntary and based on honesty, respect and community support.

People involved in the conflict work together to agree on how to make things right and help everyone feel included again.

Restorative Practices Advisory Committees seek to play a key role in their communities by meeting regularly to shape local

restorative methods.

Members of the planning committee will establish eligibility criteria, design referral processes and make recommendations to the ORP on local grant funding requests.

A recent one

University of Minnesota study

of 1,707 youth arrested by Minneapolis police found that only 15% of those who participated in restorative practices reoffended within a year, compared to 37% of those who did not.

Across Minnesota, counties using restorative methods have seen reduced violence, faster case resolutions, improved victim satisfaction, reduced caseloads and significant taxpayer savings.

Currently, $8 million in grants are available to support restorative practices initiatives. To qualify, nonprofit organizations and programs must be located in counties with active Restorative Practices Advisory Committees. Community participation on the Olmsted County Committee will be critical to securing these funds and promoting impactful local programs.

Applications will be accepted through November 25, with residents encouraged to

apply online

at tinyurl.com/4aezz7hv to be considered.

Those selected to participate will be contacted by December 2nd with plans to hold monthly meetings, from Noon to 2 p.m., Dec. 3 at the Rochester Public Library.

Anyone who has questions or cannot fill out

online form

can call Amber Myers at 507-328-7202 for assistance.

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