School Based Restorative Justice Program
Blair-Taylor School District
4/1/2025-6/30/2026
The Blair-Taylor School District received funding to implement a School-Based Restorative Justice Program aimed at reducing exclusionary discipline practices, addressing racial and ethnic disparities in school discipline, and promoting early intervention for students exhibiting behavioral challenges. This initiative will serve approximately 632 students in the rural communities of Blair and Taylor Wisconsin.
The core of the program is the CARE Room, an alternative space where students receive targeted social-emotional learning (SEL) support instead of being suspended or expelled. Through restorative practices, students will develop emotional regulation skills, conflict resolution strategies, and positive coping mechanisms, fostering a more inclusive and supportive school environment.
The program will increase family and community engagement by fostering stronger partnerships with parents, caregivers, and local organizations. Parents will be actively involved through communication initiatives, and collaborative problem-solving efforts. The initiative also includes staff training on restorative justice practices, equipping educators with the tools needed to address behavioral issues constructively.
By implementing this program, the district aims to eliminate suspensions and expulsions at the elementary level, reduce disciplinary disparities, and establish a sustainable model for restorative justice practices that strengthens student well-being and academic success. Long-term, the initiative will contribute to delinquency prevention by equipping students with essential life skills at an early age.
Delinquency Prevention Program
Blair-Taylor School District
7/1/2026-6/30/2027
The CARE Room Expansion Project is a school-based, trauma-informed initiative designed to support at-risk youth and prevent behavioral escalation that can lead to exclusionary discipline and involvement in the juvenile justice system. Building on an established CARE Room model, this project provides a tiered system of supports including daily regulation and skill-building
interventions, targeted mentoring services, access to structured pro-social activities, and family-based intervention through the evidence-based Circle of Security program. The project also ensures continuity of care through summer programming and strengthens school capacity through staff coaching and consultation. Together, these components create a comprehensive, relationship-based approach that increases student engagement, improves emotional regulation, and reduces risk factors associated with delinquency, particularly in a rural community with limited access to services.