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Clay County wins $230,000 restorative-practices grant to expand school and community diversion work
Summary
The Board approved a draft contract accepting a $230,000 restorative practices initiatives grant to expand diversion services, add staff hours, provide training, and evaluate outcomes across Clay County schools and community settings.
The Clay County Board on Tuesday approved a draft contract to accept a $230,000 restorative-practices initiatives grant intended to expand diversion, school-based restorative practices, and community supports over an 18-month period.
Michelle, the grant lead, said the county initially applied for $500,000 and was awarded $230,000. "So really to come down to a point of 230,000 is still a great opportunity, and I think we can get a lot of work, and really great things within this 18 months," she said. The grant term can begin as early as July 1 for government grantees and run through December 2026.
County attorneys and program staff described how the money will be used: to fund a part-time facilitator to support the county—s full-time restorative-practices coordinator, to pay portions of staff time, to contract with partner facilitators, to provide training (including train-the-trainer sessions), and to contract with a University of North Dakota professor to perform program evaluation. Michelle said the program already serves students across all school districts in the county and has moved restorative practices "from courtroom to classroom." She described plans to build sustainability through training local staff as trainers.
Commissioners praised the program—s track record. Commissioner Eppinger moved approval and Commissioner Bair seconded; the board approved the draft contract by voice vote. County attorney Brian said some grant-funded staff time could be incorporated into the county attorney—s budget but that many expenditures will be contracts to community partners and consultants.
The grant administrator asked the board to approve the draft agreement so county signatories (the board chair and county administrator) could finalize the contract when the Office of Justice Programs issues the final document. Michelle said grant partners agreed to adjust budgets to fit the awarded amount and that the project will be governed by a restorative-practices advisory council meeting quarterly during the grant period.
Why this matters: the award provides one-time funds to expand an existing county restorative-justice program into schools and the community, support higher-risk youth with ongoing services, and produce a formal evaluation to support future funding decisions.
What—s next: staff will finalize the grant agreement with the Office of Justice Programs, incorporate allowable grant-funded positions into departmental budgets as appropriate, and begin program activities in July if the contract is executed.
