Statewide Equity Audit
“Justice that is not rooted in equity, in social welfare, and in community is not justice at all.”
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Critical to our restorative justice community’s work on equity was understanding the current culture, practices, behaviors, and actions within our organizations and our relationships with statewide partners. Examining these factors with an outside consultant allowed for critical and candid feedback on our efforts to address inequities and to promote inclusion. To do this work, the VT RJ EDJIE Initiative worked with The Creative Discourse Group, LLC (TCDG), a collaborative team of associates with diverse identities, life experiences, and expertise.
In June 2023, TCDG began working with Vermont’s twenty-three restorative justice programs to identify opportunities to reduce biases and inequities. An Equity Assessment Team was formed to guide and support this work, which included EDJIE Initiative leaders, program directors, and a community volunteer. TCDG engaged project partners, collaborators, and community members in an assessment process, utilizing a combination of surveys, listening sessions, interviews, and a document review. In addition, they presented two workshops to organizational leaders related to inclusive and equitable workplaces.
Included on this page are the assessments and reports generated through this work. When using all or part of these materials, please credit the VT EDJIE Initiative, The Creative Discourse Group, and the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Grant No. 15PBJA-22-GG-01205-BRND.
**This project was supported through a Edward Bryne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, No. 15PBJA-22-GG-01205-BRND awarded by the Bureau of Justice AssistanceThe Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.