Richmont2022 Annual Report V4 (2) - Flipbook - Page 9
Restorative Justice Program
HRSA Grant Update
The Cobb County District Attorney’s Office announced earlier this year that the District Attorney’s Diversion
In June of 2021, Richmont received an historic, four-
Program will be the first recipient of Richmont’s new Restorative Justice Program, made possible through a
year grant for $1.9 million from the United States
generous $35,000 donation.
“Our team was especially motivated by the fact that
the majority of this grant is allocated to provide
stipends for students completing their difficult
internship year. The opportunity to direct over $1
million over the next four years directly to support
our interns is indicative of Richmont’s commitment
to embodying a ‘students first’ ethos.”
Dr. Joshua Rice, Provost
Department of Health and Human Services, Health
“Richmont strives to facilitate spiritual growth, mental health,
and relational healing with our counseling services. We are
thankful for the donation which allowed us to start our Restorative
Justice Program. There is a redemptive power in counseling. We
hope this program will help restore hope and opportunity for the
participants. People should not be hindered from the healing they
seek due to monetary constraints.”
Diversion programs exist as an alternative
to incarceration for nonviolent offenders
whose situations would be better treated
with mental health services, rather
than jail time. Unfortunately, financial
difficulties can prevent those eligible from
participating in the diversion program. In
Georgia and across the United States, a
Resources & Services Administration. The focus of this
grant—the largest in Richmont’s history—is to support
student interns working with underserved populations.
Students who receive this grant receive annual stipends
of $10,000. The rest of the funding is allocated toward
mental health and cultural competency training with
partner organizations, most notably Emory University’s
Urban Health Initiative. (EUUHI)
typical therapy session costs anywhere
Dr. Timothy innan
from $100 to $200.
There are 29 students in the first HRSA Fellowship Cohort. In addition to their $10,000 annual stipend, they
For the diversion program, participants are required to receive an evaluation from a licensed therapist and are
also received specialized trainings in sex addiction, trauma-focused counseling, dialectical behavior therapy
often required to complete a minimum of eight to fourteen sessions to fulfill their obligation for the District
and cultural competency. Through our partnership with EUUHI, our collective cohorts also received specialized
Attorney’s office. As such a fee per session, the out-of-pocket cost for these participants quickly adds up.
training in tobacco cessation and working with indigenous peoples. Additionally, 13 interns received $1,000 tuition
Through Richmont’s Restorative Justice Program, diversion program participants can receive counseling at a
reimbursement for specific certificate tracks. Our HRSA fellowship interns served at the following sites:
cost ranging from $5 to $35 per session. Participants can even receive these services for free if they are unable
to pay. Diversion program participants will also be offered a reduced rate from Richmont of $15 for a courtmandated evaluation. Normally, these mandatory evaluations range in cost anywhere from $100 to $300.
Thanks to the $35,000 donation to the Restorative Justice Program, Richmont expects to serve between 180
and 270 clients in the first year of this program.
“This commitment from Richmont Graduate University is revolutionary for our diversion program. It will bring equity to many
people seeking the benefit of recovery and positive changes in their lives.”
Cobb County District Aorney Flynn Broady
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