Winter Institute 2026

What do we need to collectively heal from the pervasiveness of harm in our schools, neighborhoods, and organizations? For over 17 years CRA has been deeply dedicated to guiding educators, executives, and community leaders in finding their own answers to this question. While there is no singular answer, the guiding principles of restorative approaches can lead us towards deeper relationships, improved communication, and grounded accountability.
Historically, times of struggle have called for a commitment to community, infrastructures of care, and meaningful ways to support those who are critically impacted. While responding to harm is paramount, restorative approaches go beyond, by informing how we relate to the world around us in ways that ensure inclusion and keep us connected. We want you to be a part of that journey in expanding restorative approaches wherever you live.
Our trainings provide practical and applicable tools ready to be implemented in your everyday lives. They continue to transform and shape the lives of many educators, students, business leaders, and community members. Both our Introduction to Restorative Approaches and Facilitating Restorative Circles trainings will be offered to the public in January, 2026.

• Early Bird Registration: A discount of $25/training is available for purchases made by December 1. Enter the promotional code "earlybird" at checkout.
• Group Discounts: A discount of $25/training will be offered for group purchases of five participants or more. Enter the promotional code "group" at checkout.
• Cancellation policy: Refunds, minus a $25 administration fee, are available if a cancellation is received 7 days prior to the training. No refunds will be possible outside of this time frame.

Introduction to Restorative Approaches: January 20 + 21, 9am - 5pm

Instead of focusing on blame and doing things “to” people, restorative approaches work “with” people to build problem-solving skills that result in better connections and a healthier community. This 16-hour training is designed to introduce the restorative approach and offer practical skills to build community, foster inclusion, and promote collaborative decision-making.

In this training, you will:

1. Learn the guiding principles for restorative approaches.
2. Learn how to design and facilitate a community building circle.
3. Practice using relationship-driven communication processes.
4. Learn processes for restorative accountability- specifically how to facilitate restorative conversations.

Certificate of completion will be provided.

Facilitating Restorative Circles: January 22 + 23, 9am - 5pm

This 16-hour training teaches participants to resolve more serious conflicts using restorative circles. A Restorative Circle is a conflict-resolution discussion where those affected develop their own solutions on how to make the situation right. In this process, a CRA trained facilitator brings together those responsible, those impacted, and others affected to create an action plan to repair harm and prevent it from happening again. Note: Completion of the Introduction to Restorative Approaches course is a prerequisite for this training.

In this training, you will:

1. Gain an overview of Restorative Circles.
2. Learn and practice the six steps of Restorative Circles.
3. Engage in role-play scenarios to practice facilitation of Restorative Circles.

Certificate of completion will be provided.

Host or Publisher The Center for Restorative Approaches (CRA)