Kris Miner, Executive Director
Kris began her relationship with SCVRJP when the board of directors formally started in January 2001.  Kris served on the board until the fall of 2005 when she left her position as vice-chair to become the part-time coordinator.  Her previous restorative justice experience and contacts within the area human services, law enforcement and legal system allow her to quickly build SCVRJP.  Kris became the full time executive director in 2006.  She implemented Underage Consumption Panels and Victim Empathy Seminars for SCVRJP.  Circle Training for community members expanded to on-site training for outside agencies.  Part of Kris’s position now includes training and workshops.

Kris is also writing a book ‘On the Road Together:  Safe Teen Driving Circles”.  This developed from a partnership with the Allstate Foundation.  Allstate funded the start of Safe Teen Driving Circles and a documentary with MN Twin Cities Public Television (TPT).  Kris will be providing the keynote for the WDTSEA- WI Driving Traffic Safety Educators Association in April 2009.  She also presented this program at the Governor’s Highway Traffic Safety Conference.

Kris is also a professor at UW-River Falls.  She teaches two ‘special topic’ courses: “Introduction to Restorative Dialogue” and “Advanced Restorative Practice”.  This partnership brings student volunteers to SCVRJP and provides them with a direct Restorative Justice experience. 

Other community programs for Kris include her volunteer work with the “Main Street Buttpickers” a group that sweeps up debris and cigarette butts from store fronts on Main Street in River Falls.  Kris is also part of St. Croix Valley Alliance Against Family Violence, River Falls Partnership for Youth and Stop Underage Drinking Soon.  She also serves on the Advisory Board for Exodus House.  Kris has also developed a successful blog regarding her work with Restorative Justice and Circles.

Career Highlights for Kris Miner
• Dakota County Community Corrections
• Pierce County Human Services Child Welfare Supervisor
• Olmsted County Social Worker
• Author of the American Probation and Parole Association Award of Excellence in Community Crime Prevention – awarded February 2008
• Volunteer with Minnesota Department of Corrections – Restorative Justice Program, Vocare’ Co-facilitator, Shakopee Correctional Facility May 2008
• Featured in MN Twin Cities Public Television Program On the Road Together:  Teen Driving featuring Restorative Justice Circles program
• Award of Merit for River Falls Community TV – Underage Drinking Forum
• SCVRJP awarded 2007 River Falls Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year
• Evaluated and approved as a trainer by the MN Restorative Services Coalition
• Accommodation from WI Governor Jim Doyle for Family Group Decision Making