Restorative Justice helps youth who have made mistakes learn skills to stay out of trouble in the future. One program that teaches this is called "CHOICES." It’s taught in many local communities across the state and helps youth learn how to make good decisions, so they don’t repeat bad behaviors.

Girl’s Circle is a program for girls ages 9 to 18 that helps them feel good about themselves, make real connections with friends and adults, and express themselves in fun and creative ways. The group is run by trained women who work at local SCDJJ offices. Each group has 5 to 10 girls who meet once a week to talk and do activities. They cover important topics like :

• friendship,
• body image,
• being yourself,
• handling stereotypes,
• trusting yourself,
• staying safe in relationships,
• learning about different cultures,
• avoiding risky behaviors,
• setting goals, and
• taking care of yourself.

G.R.E.A.T. is a program in schools across the state that helps stop gang activity and violence before it starts. Police officers and SCDJJ probation officers teach the lessons in the classroom. The program is designed to help youth stay out of trouble, avoid violence, and stay away from gangs. In the lessons, students learn important life skills to solve problems without fighting or breaking the rules. The program has 13 weekly one-hour lessons, plus a fun summer program and special training for families to work together.

Lunch Buddies is a program where students in elementary, middle, and high schools get to spend time with a caring adult volunteer. A Lunch Buddy meets with the student for lunch once or twice a month to share food, have fun, and talk. They also help with school activities. This program gives students a chance to grow, make good choices, and get support, while also letting SCDJJ give back to the community and make a difference in the lives of youth.

Project: Adopt-A-Class is a program to help prevent violence. Local SCDJJ offices "adopt" classes at elementary and middle schools where students may need extra support. SCDJJ staff spend at least one hour a month with the students, teaching them about making good choices, building character, and becoming responsible citizens. This program is a team effort with the SC Department of Education, the SC Bar Association, and the SC Department of Mental Health.

Every September, hundreds of SCDJJ youth, staff, and community partners take part in the Restoring Carolina through Youth Service event. This event happens at the same time as the National Day of Service. It shows how SCDJJ is committed to helping make communities better places to live, work, and play. It also gives SCDJJ youth and staff the chance to give back to their communities in a positive way, while learning about Restorative Justice—working to repair harm and make things better.

SCDJJ also has some youths in Intensive Supervision (IS). IS is a level of supervision designed to enhance public safety and reduce recidivism among high-risk youth. This level of supervision is implemented for youth returning to their communities from out-of-home placements, as well as those on probation requiring intensive support. A key component of IS is a reduced caseload, with each Intensive Supervision Officer (ISO) managing no more than 20 youth offenders. ISOs work closely with youth and their families to promote productive, self-sufficient, and law-abiding behavior. Research indicates that youth under Intensive Supervision demonstrate lower rates of re-offending.