Our Programs
Mediation is a conflict resolution process in which mediators help participants have a difficult conversation, get clear about what’s important to everyone, and make decisions that meet the needs of those involved. In mediation, people speak for themselves and make their own decisions.
Through re-entry mediation, incarcerated people have a chance to mediate with family members or other important people to them before release to address conflicts and collaboratively plan for the transition to the community. We regularly host presentations at the facilities for individuals who are within one year of release. Sometimes there is lingering conflict from before the incarceration. Sometimes there is resentment, anger, and shame as a result of the charge or things which took place during the incarceration. Re-entry mediation creates a space for everyone involved to talk about their experiences, be heard by each other, and establish a plan on how to move forward productively before the individual is released. Re-entry mediation has been shown to decrease likelihood of arrest post-release, with additional mediation sessions decreasing the probability of arrest further.
Tri Community Mediation offers free 1-hour Conflict Resolution Presentations to businesses and organizations in the tri county area. The presentation is curated to fit the business or organization hosting us so participants can see themselves in the examples, activities, and other material. Additionally, we prioritize interactive presentations, creating opportunities for movement, large group discussions, and hands-on learning. We've found that the interactive format encourages participants to really reflect on how they've experienced and handled conflict in their lives.
Parenting Plan mediation offers guardians, parents, and family members the opportunity to create plans about custody and visitation for a child or children. Self-referred, court-referred, or returning participants are paired with Parenting-Plan trained mediators to make plans about the future for their children. In mediation we look at the topics of Custody and Visitation in a way that helps focus on parenting and your role as parents. Participants have the opportunity to break down the larger concepts of Custody and Visitation into living arrangements, decision making, and time-sharing.