Guidelines for Restorative Justice Intern

This is a learning opportunity for you to develop an understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a Victim-Offender Dialogue (VOD) coordinator/facilitator, who works directly with victims of property related crimes and youth offenders towards meaningfully repairing the harm.

Learning objectives

• Gain knowledge and understanding of:
  • Basic case management techniques while working to coordinate VODs at CDRS.
  • The life of a VOD case, from the time victim contact is initiated through VIP, to the eventual closing of a VOD case after a dialogue.
  • Resources and services available to victims through VIP.
  • The court process and necessary VIP and VOD documents.
  • Empathic listening skills through VIP/VOD programs and respond effectively to victims needs.
  • Evidence-based practices and program evaluation through VIP/VOD data collection and data entry.
• Learn philosophical perspectives endorsed and implemented by the Juvenile Department, such as best practices and Restorative Justice.
• Observe, co-facilitate, and facilitate VODs, and provide in-depth assessment and preparation for crime victims and offenders in order to determine whether a VOD will effectively meet the needs of all parties.

Technical

• You must be 21 years of age and in your last year of a 4-year degree program, or a graduate student. Any experience in this field is preferred.
• Schedule will vary but will be agreed upon between supervising Restorative Justice Coordinator (RJC) and intern.
• Your RJC task supervisor will complete evaluations on your participation both for CCJD and your university.
• The minimum length of commitment is 200 hours. An extended experience is available with proven success. Intern will complete Exit Evaluation at end of internship.
• One intern can split their time between the Juvenile Department (Victim Impact Program) and Clackamas County Dispute Resolution Services (CDRS).
• Attendance at all in house trainings are required before internship is complete. RJ, VOD, CCJD overview, Working with Youth in the Community. CPI if offered during internship time frame. Additional trainings may be required.
• Opportunities provided : Victim-offender Dialogue (VOD) observation/co facilitation opportunities, VOD case management, Victim Impact Program (VIP) phone support, accompaniment in court as support for victims, Court observations, Intake and Assessment (IAC) observation – to be schedule by Volunteer Coordinator, Informational Interviews with JCII’s, observation of Drug Court, home and school visits (for VOD meetings), observing one skills group – scheduled by Volunteer Coordinator, attend a CCJD staff meeting, observe Restorative Justice Coalition (RJCO) Committee meeting, Coffee Talk informational presentations, and additional training opportunities through CDRS (conflict management, mediation, etc.).
• Hours of internship will be reported to Volunteer Coordinator monthly.
• Intern hours at CDRS are to be documented in their system.
• One hour of supervision a week required with MSW or (university approved equivalent, i.e., LPC) supervisor.

Guidelines

• Be an active listener to victims, youth, families, community members, and colleagues.
• Value and respond to the individual and specific interests of the crime victims we serve.
• Encourage victims’ voice and participation in determining how to meaningfully address and repair that harm.
• Use empathy when speaking with victims, youth, families, and community members.
• Use the Informational Questions and forms from orientation to learn more about the varying roles of individuals working at CCJD.

Read more about the application process and guidelines.