Marie-Isabelle began her work as in Restorative Justice in 2004. She has facilitated hundreds of Restorative Justice cases including incidents of family conflict, neighborhood conflict, theft, assault, sexual assault, sexual harassment, burglary, fighting, organizational conflict, and workplace bullying.
What happens during a Restorative Justice Process?
Restorative Justice provides a safe space for people involved in and affected by an incident, harm, or conflict to talk about 1) what happened 2) how people were impacted and 3) a plan to make things better. During the process everyone has an equal opportunity to speak, an equal opportunity to listen, and input on the agreements and plans created. A trained facilitator prepares the participants, provides a safe structure for the process, and follows up with everyone about the action items and plans that were generated.
Restorative Justice is an opportunity for the people most involved and impacted by a harm or conflict to speak about what happened, how people have been impacted, and to have input in a plan for how to make things better (rather than institutions or professionals addressing it without the community). If the group convenes, reaches agreement, and the agreement is fulfilled, the referral is completed. If the group is unable to convene, reach agreement, or the agreement is broken, the referral is referred back to the referral agency/ person to address what happened in a different way without input. Agreements also often contain a plan for what will go into effect if an agreement is broken or an action item is not completed by the deadline.
Training, Consulting, Facilitation Marie-Isabelle has provided training, consulting, and facilitation for the following groups:
Louisiana Department of Education Regional Trainings: St. Charles Region, St. Tammany Region, Lafayette Region
Sprout, Avodah New Orleans, Hagar's House, St. Thomas Catholic Worker, New Orleans Mutual Aid Society, Sports Associations
YEP (Turning Point Partners)
Designed Training Curriculums and Youth Curriculums used by Center for Restorative Approaches, Lycee Francais, & Ubuntu Village New Orleans
School Administration
Designed and implemented School Culture Systems and Routines
Trained staff in Trauma Resilience, Social Emotional Learning, Restorative Practices, Morning Meetings, Positive Reinforcement, School Routines
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
Transform School Discipline and School Culture Policies and Procedures based on parent forums on racial equity, and ongoing input from parents, students, staff, and stakeholders.
Supervised staff
Youth Development Workshops: Social Emotional Learning and Trauma Resilience workshops with youth
Schools:
Lycee Francais
Wilson, Akili Academy, Langston Hughes, Cohen High
Teen Court New Orleans (Turning Point Partners)
Correctional Facilities: Bridge City Center for Youth (Ubuntu Village)