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Presenter: Keertana Gangireddy

Faculty Sponsor: Deborah Keisch

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Public Policy

Session: Poster Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM, Auditorium, A23

ABSTRACT

Characteristics of white supremacy culture (Okun, 1999) such as an aversion to conflict, either-or-thinking, and individualism perpetuate community isolation and carceral practices. Restorative practices (RP) aim to subvert these practices and promote relationality and interdependence. RP include community-building and healing circles, peer mediation, and affective language. RP increases feelings of belonging and approaches conflict from a place of reparation and healing, rather than punishment. In educational settings, students may feel disconnection with their peers and instructors and are unaware how to healthily approach conflict. Students in Franklin County (MA) experience rural isolation, increased rates of depressive disorders, increased exposure to substance use disorder (SUD), and mental health challenges. As RP strengthen community ties, school climate may be improved. The Public Schools Districts’ Opioid Recovery Trust (PSDORT) in collaboration with the Collaborative Resolutions Group (CRG), Franklin Regional Council of Governments/Communities (FRCOG) are implementing RP professional development for educators, as well as programs for students to improve school climate with RP. This project aims to see the impact of RP implementation on youth mental health outcomes in Franklin County Public School Districts. Through community-building with RP and moving beyond carceral practices in conflict and conversation, students may see increased feelings of community, belongingness, autonomy, and esteem.