Larry Brendtro, Ph.D.; Founder, Circles of Courage Institute    Restorative Justice: Deep Brain Learning

Larry Brendtro, Martin Brokenleg and Steve Van Bockern co-founded the reclaiming youth movement. Dr. Brendtro is author or co-author of over 200 publications on problems of children and youth. His books are available in several languages and include Deep Brain Learning (2009),The Resilience Revolution (2006), No Disposable Kids (2005); Kids Who Outwit Adults (2005), Troubled Children and Youth (2004), Reclaiming Our Prodigal Sons and Daughters(2000), Reclaiming Youth at Risk (2002, 1990), Positive Peer Culture (1985, 1974), Re educating Troubled Youth (1983) and The Other 23 Hours (1969). He and colleagues with the Circle of Courage Institute have develop evidence-based trainings including Response Ability Pathways, The Developmental Audit, Deep Brain Learning, and Positive Peer Culture, which are offered by certified trainers internationally. He is founding editor of the Reclaiming Children and Youth journal which has published over 1,000 articles in 70 quarterly issues on topics including Alternatives to Punishment; Trust and Trauma, Restorative Practices, Breaking Cycles of Conflict; Enchanted with Chemicals; Strengthening Families; Resilience, and Courage for Troubled Girls.

Over the past forty years, Dr. Brendtro has spoken to 200,000 professionals worldwide in fields of education, juvenile justice, mental health, and youth development. He has trained in sixteen countries including the Child and Youth Care Association of South Africa, Youth Off The Streets in Australia; The Ministry of Education in New Zealand; the Austrian College for Social Pedagogues; The Netherlands Youth Policy Directorate; University of Trondheim, Norway Child Research Center; The University of Dundee, Scotland; The Russian Bureau of Youth Welfare. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Re-Education Association, and the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders. He serves as a practitioner expert on the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention chaired by the U.S. Attorney General.

Dr. Brendtro holds a BA in Sociology and Education from Augustana College, a MS in Sociology and Education from South Dakota State University and a PhD in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan.  In 1997 he was honored for service to Native children with adoption into the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and given the Lakota name Mato Mani or Walking Bear. He and his wife Janna, who edits reclaiming publications, are parents of three children and live in the Black Hills of South Dakota. His biography is listed in Who's Who in America.  For more information on Dr. Brendtro's work, please visit www.circlesofcourageinstitute.com or www.reclaiming.com.  

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