Conflict Resolution Training

Conflict in the workplace is a common malady caused by the actual or perceived opposition of needs, values and interests between people working together. Conflict resolution is a constructive approach to interpersonal and inter-group conflicts that helps people with opposing positions work together to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions.

We offer conflict resolution training that helps school leadership better understand workplace conflict that can occur between and among administrators and staff; peer staff; and school staff and parents. This experiential training allows participants to:

• Examine beliefs and attitudes about conflict
• Explore the causes of conflict  and how it impacts the workplace
• Identify personal styles of conflict and anger management
• Explore the use of effective communication as a means of resolving conflict
• Examine various methods used in conflict resolution

For more information contact Ronalyn Pollack at rpollack@cdsadr.org or phone (585) 546-5110 ext. 113.

Mediation Training

This training presents an introduction to the principles, theory and application of Transformative Mediation as a peaceful process for conflict resolution and affords participants an orientation to Community Mediation. Sessions introduce the concepts of impartiality, confidentiality and personal commitment which draw from the strengths and experiences of the individual participants. Through this interactive training participants will:

• Gain a working knowledge of the premises and principles of Transformative Mediation
• Understand the role and functions of mediators
• Recognize skills and characteristics required to effectively mediate
• Apply the tools and techniques through multiple simulations

For more information contact Ronalyn Pollack at rpollack@cdsadr.org or phone (585) 546-5110 ext. 113.

Mediation Services

Mediation is a process in which a third party works with parties in conflict to help them change the quality of their conflict interaction from negative and destructive to positive and constructive, as they discuss and explore issues and possibilities for resolution. CDS offers the following school related mediation services.

• Community Mediation – conducted by certified and impartial community meditators, this service addresses school community conflict that can occur between and among administrators and staff, peer staff, school staff and parents and peer students. Mediation sessions are often preceded with Conflict Coaching of the individuals involved in the dispute. As an informal intake process, Conflict Coaching allows participants to reflect on the issues and prepare for open and honest discussion.
• Special Education Mediation – is a process by which parents of children with disabilities and school district meet with a certified and impartial special education mediator to work out their differences regarding a student’s special education placement, evaluation, classification, etc. It is often chosen instead of an impartial hearing. Special Education Mediation is provided at no cost to the parent, or the school.

For more information contact Ronalyn Pollack at rpollack@cdsadr.org or phone (585) 546-5110 ext. 113. 

Peer Mediation Program

Peer Mediation is an intervention strategy used when youth who are in conflict with other youth or adults meet to resolve their issues through the use of conversation and negotiation with the help of a trained neutral third party, the Peer Mediator.  Peer Mediation is a hallmark strategy for youth engagement and leadership development. As a youth engagement strategy, Peer Mediation meets young people’s need to develop a sense of integrity by offering opportunities for them to learn and practice increasing self-control and develop a sense of partiality and fairness. From a leadership development perspective, Peer Mediation helps young people build character as they learn not only to apply conflict resolution skills with others, but to use these same skills in their own lives.

CDS offers a Peer Mediation Program Development service that provides schools working from a restorative practice code of conduct framework an opportunity to build a site specific model based on nationally accepted standards for successful evidence-based models. The Peer Mediation Program Development package offers orientation for school leadership, implementation training for the school-based coordinator, hands-on training for peer mediators and ongoing technical support for year one implementation.

For more information contact Ronalyn Pollack at rpollack@cdsadr.org or phone (585) 546-5110 ext. 113.

Life Skills Workshop

Designed to help students experiencing interpersonal turmoil build competencies in communications, problem-solving and anger management to improve relationships with peers, teachers and administrators. The workshop explores human behavior and interaction and examines the impact of anger on both. One-on-One Conflict Coaching is provided as needed to allow participants to reflect on real life issues they may be experiencing. In this workshop students will:

• Learn the phases of anger
• Understand anger and its association with conflict
• Recognize situations that trigger anger
• Practice healthy strategies to effectively manage anger

For more information contact Ronalyn Pollack at rpollack@cdsadr.org or phone (585) 546-5110 ext. 113.

Restorative Practices

Restorative practices reflect a philosophy that holds that all communities are based on relationships. The stronger the relationships become, the less likely wrongdoing will occur and the more likely wrongdoing can be repaired if it does occur (PiRi). The Restorative Practices Continuum progresses from informal to formal strategies that start with Affective Statements and “I” Messages, move to Restorative Conversations and Mediation, and advance to various types of Circles.

“Circles” are the focus of CDS’s restorative practices in schools. The Circle is a simple structured process of communications that helps participants reconnect with themselves and others. The indigenous origin of the Circle process – wherein everyone is equal – helps us move from wherever we are – towards our best self.

CDS offers the following in-school restorative circles:

Class or School Community Conflict Circles – designed to talk about and resolve an incident of harm within the classroom or school community. The goal of the circles is to understand how everyone involved has been impacted, discover what can be done to repair the harm and determine ways to make sure things do not happen in this way going forward.

Youth Restorative Community Conferencing – Community Conferencing is a meeting that involves all those affected by wrongdoing/conflict that is facilitated by a trained neutral person. The purpose of the conference is to repair the harm and meet the needs of the victim and the community by holding the wrongdoer accountable. In the meeting participants resolve their own conflicts safely. Everyone gets a chance to speak and everyone is involved in deciding on an agreement plan.

Re-Entry or Transitional – these restorative discipline circles support youth who have been out of the school community as a result of a disciplinary action or juvenile detention to reconnect with the school community in a positive way.

For more information contact Ronalyn Pollack at rpollack@cdsadr.org or phone (585) 546-5110 ext. 113.

Special Education Mediation

Special Education Mediation is a process by which parents of children with disabilities and school districts meet with a neutral person, a mediator, to work out their differences. It is often chosen instead of an impartial hearing as a way of resolving disagreements about a student’s special education placement, services, evaluation, or classification. In most cases, the mediator is able to help develop a solution that is acceptable to both parent and school in a way that:

• Allows all concerns to be heard
• Build trust and improves communication
• Explores creative solutions
• Gives everyone a chance to have an equal say in all decisions

Mediation is provided at no cost to the parents or the schools.

For more information contact: Donna Durbin at ddurbin@cdsadr.org or (585) 546-5110 x108

Early Intervention Program

Mediation assists parents and Early Intervention Officials (EIOs) to reach agreement about services to be provided to the child and family. Mediation brings EIOs and parents together to talk about their concerns. It is a confidential process that encourages parents and EIOs to speak freely about their concerns and services.

Mediation is provided at no cost to the parents or the schools.

For more information contact: Donna Durbin at ddurbin@cdsadr.org or (585) 546-5110 x108