The Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) approach first introduced in 1993 through a grant to Florida Atlantic University (FAU) began as a national initiative of the Office of Justice juvenile and delinquency prevention (OJJDP) ). It seeks to offer juvenile delinquents the prospect of obtaining compensation or a guaranteed favorable return to reverse their once delinquent behavior. Serves juvenile offenders by providing them with a rehabilitative rather than punitive role. BARJ addresses the risk and protective factors and/or special needs of juvenile offenders by educating them to be responsible for their actions; they must develop a level of competence, so that they can be more responsible and realize the destructibility of their behavior, and how the balance between the two makes them a favorable representative in society. Some risk factors often experienced by juvenile delinquents are substance abuse, antisocial behavior, family dysfunction or family conflict, poor academic performance, and/or poor choice of community involvement. Protective factors are scarce in some families and communities, but protective factors overshadow risk factors. Having a low tolerance towards negativity, loving and devoted parents or family interaction, exceptional academic performance, being socially inclined are protective factors, thus reducing a minor's chance of becoming a delinquent. Juvenile offenders, victims and the community are the primary members involved in BARJ treatment, but juvenile justice professionals also play a vital role. Juvenile justice professionals ensure that offenders complete restorative requirements as outlined by BARJ treatment. The offender's main and most influential restorative need is to build... middle of paper... so that change occurs in the most effective and immediate way. Cooperation defined as an act or instance of working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit; joint action is an integral part of improvement for all three participants. In conclusion, 1995 launched the future of balanced and restorative justice when 24 states adopted and reviewed juvenile administrative codes or procedures that included the balanced approach or concept of restorative justice. Works Cited About Balance and the Restorative Justice Project. (n.d.). Retrieved from Cooperation http://www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/implementing/about.html. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved January 16, 2014, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cooperativeRestorative Justice/FrontPage. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://restorativejustice.pbworks.com/f/40+cases+word.doc