Since 2020, the Office of Restorative Justice Practices has organized facilitator training sessions. Over 100 individuals of our UCSF community have been trained to facilitate community-building Circles. With the skills of facilitation using a restorative mindset framework, facilitators have lead community Circles with trainees, faculty, and staff to strengthen relationships between team members and celebrate their collective values. Facilitators have integrated Circles into staff retreats, team huddles, committee meetings, student orientations, and classroom discussions. 

The Community-Building Circle Facilitator Training is designed to introduce participants to the origins and principles of restorative justice, equip them with tools to practice critical self-reflection, and build skills to facilitate community-building circles for people with varying values, experiences, and backgrounds to strengthen their relationships with one another.  

Through a didactic and experiential approach, the training will include session readings, reflection prompts, and group discussions. At the end of the training, participants will practice the skills they learned by designing and facilitating a community Circle. 

Learning Goals:  
With the completion of the training, participants will be able to: 

1. Understand the origins and wide application of restorative justice practices.  
2. Practice building a Circle using a healing-centered approach. 
3. Write Circle prompts that invite storytelling, connection, and understanding.  
4. Apply restorative justice approaches to strengthen trust and build community.  

Application Requirements:

• Facilitation experience – this can include leading team meetings, classroom discussions, training, workshops, and other relevant experience.  
• Proficient in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism topics. 
• Strong commitment to creating a culture of connectivity where all UCSF community members can thrive and feel a sense of belonging. 
• Approved released time by supervisor. 
• Ability to attend all 8; 2.5-hour sessions.

Format and Length: (40-hours)

• 8, 2.5-hour virtual and in-person sessions spread across 2 months. Details are included under the Schedule at a Glance section.
• 1 - 2 hours of independent learning between sessions, including required readings, supplemental reading, video and/or podcast episodes.  

Cost: Free 

Schedule at a Glance:

Every Wednesday from April 2^nd – May 21^st, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm. 

1. April 2: Welcome + Interconnected – In-person
2. April 9: Origins of Restorative Justice + The value of storytelling
3. April 16: Deep listening and Understanding
4. April 23: Building the Container – Part 1
5. April 30: Building the Container – Part 2
6. May 7: Navigating Harm/Conflict in Circle
7. May 14: Practice! Practice! Practice!
8. May 21: Celebration – In-Person

*Agenda is subject to change

Accommodation Request:

To request reasonable accommodation for this training series, please contact Juri Sanchez by emailing [email protected] as soon as possible.

Application deadline

Please apply by Friday, February 21st, to be considered for the 2025 Cohort.

Facilitators