Mediation Center

Programs: During the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the mediation center provided three major programs: the family mediation program, community and family mediation, and youth mediation. Programs are designed to help community members find common ground and a way to move ahead during difficult and stressful conflicts. Mediation, visitation, and conflict resolution skills training create a safer and more peaceful community for everyone. The family visitation program provides supervised visitation and safe child exchange to families with a history of domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health concerns, child maltreatment, and child abduction risk. Last year, the program provided 627 supervised visits to 58 families. All visits and exchanges were free from violence, abuse, and maltreatment.

the community and family mediation program provided conflict resolution services to more than 800 people, more than 75% of whom resolved their conflict in mediation. Conflicts included neighbor disputes, organizational conflicts, prison re-entry planning, divorce and separation, and medicaid appeals. More than 500 adults participated in training or workshops where they learned new skills in mediation, workplace conflict resolution, negotiation and community conflict response.

the youth mediation program provided mediation and conflict resolution skills training to 302 school-aged youth. Participants learned new skills in communication, anger control, moral reasoning and/or conflict response. More than 85% of participating youth who were involved in the juvenile court system had no new court involvement within 12 months.