Summary
Description
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Youth Justice Committee Restorative Justice
Victim Engagement Capacity Building Project
Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2025
Project Timeframe: July 2025 – December 2026 (18 months)
The Calgary Youth Justice Society (CYJS) is supporting a provincial expansion of the Youth Justice Committee Program. Youth Justice Committees (YJC) incorporate restorative practices that offers young people (12-18) an alternative to formal justice processes. YJC’s are run by community members who volunteer their time to support youth with justice system involvement. YJC’s are authorized under section 18 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) and represent one of Alberta’s longest-standing diversion programs. Calgary Youth Justice Society hopes to grow the reach and capacity of Youth Justice Committees to ensure that every young person in Alberta who is eligible has access to youth diversion and restorative practices.
The Alberta Youth Justice Committee Program is currently comprised of 46 regional YJC’s spanning Northern, Central and Southern Alberta. The goal is to sustain and grow the number of YJC’s by supporting their continued capacity and momentum.
Overview
Calgary Youth Justice Society is seeking an experienced Restorative Justice consultant group to develop a framework, processes, training materials, resource toolkits and support the implementation of best practices to increase victim engagement and participation and support a positive experience for all parties.
The successful candidate will bring a depth of knowledge around restorative practices that may be utilized in YJC’s to support the restorative process with youth and community. A working knowledge and understanding of victimology would be considered an asset. In addition, the successful consultant group must have proven experience working with non-profit organizations and demonstrate results in developing processes, training and resources that have led to strengthening program service delivery.
A valid driver’s license and travel throughout the province are required. Occasional evening and weekend work will also be necessary. This is a hybrid work from home/work in the community that can be fulfilled from anywhere in Alberta.
Project Scope
The scope of this project will be to develop and implement Restorative Justice Victim engagement and participation processes, as well as training and resources for Youth Justice Committee volunteers with a goal of increasing victim engagement and meaningful participation in the YJC process. This project will address the unique needs of volunteers when engaging youth and victims (primary and secondary) through a diversion process. It will look at the elements and foundation of the YJC model around repairing harm and create a unified approach within the YJC context. The goal is to support a restorative process with youth, victims, families and the greater community. The first phase will be the creation of a framework to include a definition of Restorative Justice for the YJC program with required key elements, training modules, a resource toolkit, and collaboration with Victims Services, Provincial Government ministries and RJ programs in Alberta. The second phase of the project will provide volunteer training and support to YJC’s to use the toolkit, practice skills and implement processes. Training and support will be customized for each YJC to explore opportunities for victim engagement within a YJC, support the application of processes and practices, and participate in in-person meetings of YJC’s where appropriate. A certification will be designed and provided to volunteers who complete the training and implementation, to ensure a foundational baseline for all YJC’s.
Activities
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Develop a Framework of best practices for victim engagement and support for Youth Justice Committee volunteers
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Develop a working group with Victim serving organizations
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Develop and deliver volunteer training to all YJC volunteers through in-person, virtual, and self-directed learning
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Support each YJC with the implementation of processes and individual case support when requested
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Develop a toolkit with resources to enable volunteers to support victims
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Collaborate with government ministries, victim services, and RJ programs
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Design a certification program for YJC’s volunteers who complete training and implementation
Deliverables
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Youth Justice Committee volunteers will have the confidence, skills and resources required to increase victim engagement in a meaningful way
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Victims will feel supported and included in the YJC process and have awareness and access to resources
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At least one YJC volunteer in every YJC will earn the customized Certification
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Semi-Annual Reporting to measure identified indicators
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Support evaluation of this project
Project Timeline
Development Phase 1: July to December 2025: Framework, processes, resources, training modules, etc. are developed
Implementation Phase 2: January to December 2026: Each YJC (50+) and volunteer (400+) receives training and is supported to implement victim engagement opportunities and resources
Proposals should include:
- About you and/or your organization
- Bios of the team that will work on the project, including professional designations and/or certifications
- Overview of approach to achieve project outcomes
- Estimation of fees for each phase
- Three References including a summary of the related scope of work performed
It is estimated that this project will require approximately 1.5 – 2 FTE’s
Response Submissions
Responses can be emailed (PDF) to: hr@cyjs.ca
Please indicate Restorative Justice RFP in the subject line.
Deadline for submissions is June 30, 2025
About Calgary Youth Justice Society (CYJS)
Since 1996, the Calgary Youth Justice Society has helped over 15,000 youth find what is strong in their lives through programs proven to build resilience, reduce risk and nurture community connections. Our approach is always strengths-focused, seeing beyond what’s wrong to nurture what’s strong. Our impact is young people who feel valued and supported to be a part of our community in a meaningful way.
Our Vision: Young people contribute to, and flourish in, safe, caring communities.
Our Mission: Through the power of restorative and strength-based practices, Calgary Youth Justice Society inspires young people to realize their potential, build meaningful relationships and positively engage with their communities.
Our Values:
- We believe that every young person matters
- We relentlessly pursue strengths and possibilities
- We build a connection between young people and their community
- We foster meaningful relationships
- We create win-win partnerships
- We lead through innovation and excellence
- We thrive in a healthy team with a positive spirit
