Center for Human Development's Conflict Resolution Programs are dedicated to facilitating the productive resolution of conflict among residents of Contra Costa County.

WHAT ARE CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROGRAMS?

Founded as an independent non-profit agency in 1984, Conflict Resolution Programs (CRP) were merged with CHD in January 1998.

CRP has been offering volunteer-driven mediation services and conflict management training to community and business groups since its inception. CRP’s mediation services are provided by approximately 100 community volunteers. Each of the currently active volunteers participates in a vigorous 25-hour community training. The training emphasizes cultural and ethnic diversity and the use of communication skills to defuse anger in disputes.

WHAT KINDS OF CASES DOES CRP HANDLE?

Sliding-scale fee cases are disputes involving:

• Consumer/Merchant
• Co-Workers
• Neighbor-to-Neighbor
• Landlord/Tenant/Roommate
• Parents/Teenagers
• Shared driveways
• Fences
• Trees
• Pets
• Noise

Additional Fee-for-service cases include:

• Disputes within organizations
• Business-to-Business
• Real estate
• Homeowner associations

Court services:

• Guardianship - Negotiation of agreements for child custody and visitation issues in guardianship matters Guardianship Mediation

In general, CRP does not become involved in cases involving serious crimes, domestic violence, or in cases where either party does not have the capacity to communicate with the other due to substance abuse or other problems.

HOW DOES CRP WORK?

Mediation is a confidential and voluntary process that can be arranged quickly.

WHO CAN USE CRP SERVICES?

Any resident of Contra Costa County can use our services. Additionally, persons who are employed in Contra Costa County or who have experienced conflict in the County are eligible for our services.

Guardianship Mediation Program cases are referred by Probate Court only.

IS THERE A FEE FOR MEDIATION?

Fees for CRP's community mediation panels are determined by a sliding scale based on household income. These services are provided by approximately 100 volunteers. Each active volunteer has completed a minimum of 25 hours of community mediation training and participates in continuing skill development.

Specialized Fee-for-Service Programs

CRP has a separate division called Contra Costa Real Estate Mediation Services (CCREMS), that provides professional low-cost mediation services for disputes involving homeowners' associations and members, tenants, boards, contractors, and/or property management companies.

When CRP is contacted about a problem, staff first determines the appropriateness of the disagreement for mediation. If the call is determined appropriate for Contra Costa Real Estate Mediation Services (CCREMS), and the caller wishes to pursue the mediation process, a CCREMS mediator will then contact both parties to discuss the disagreement and obtain necessary fees.

Upon completion of the pre-mediation interview and with the approval of the parties involved, the mediator schedules a mediation at a time that is convenient for all parties. During the mediation the disputing parties have the opportunity to discuss their dispute and reach a mutually satisfactory agreement.

Professional Mediators

Professional mediators are also available for contract disputes, employment workplace disputes, meeting facilitations, team building for governing boards, and other commercial matters requiring special expertise.

Fee schedules are available upon request.

HOW IS CRP FUNDED?

CRP currently receives the majority of its funding from the State of California under the Dispute Resolution Programs Act of 1986. Our fundraising efforts include the foundation grants, as well as corporate and individual donations. In addition, we provide fee-for-service conflict management and mediation training to local businesses, government and non-profit agencies, schools, and the general public.