Conflict Resolution Center :: Santa Cruz

“I would definitely use CRC again and would highly recommend them to help you arrive at a meaningful settlement.”

– Bernie Goldner, Board Member,
Land Trust of Santa Cruz County

 


Mediation

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At Your Wit’s End? Mediation May Be Your Answer.

How CRC Assists

CRC’s skilled and experienced mediators guide participants through each phase of the mediation process: identifying problems, clarifying perspectives and concerns, developing viable options and reaching inclusive and mutually satisfying agreements.

Many conflicts are resolved in as little as one mediation session; some conflicts may require a short series of mediated dialogues.

Benefits of CRC Mediation Services:

  • Effective -- successful in over 85% of cases
  • Private and confidential
  • Affordable
  • Tailored to your needs

Find the right mediation service for you below. If you have questions about mediation and how it might help your situation, check our FAQs page.

Community Mediation
Small Claims Diversion
Workplace Mediation
Parent Teen Mediation

Community Mediation

If you have reached a standstill in a disagreement with a neighbor, or a communication breakdown with your teenager or other family member, our Community Mediation program can help you rebuild a productive relationship.

In this program, we offer mediation to neighbors, couples, friends, relations, business colleagues, landlords/tenants, would-be litigants , and anyone else to whom we may be of use.

Process:

  • We do initial consultations by phone, finding out from each of you what the situation is from your point of view. You do not need to convince the other party to agree to a mediation in order to start the process. We are happy to extend the invitation for you.
  • Then, we find a time when you both can be at our mediation table for a 3 hour block. We don't have a set schedule--our mediators are flexible, so sessions happen based on the schedule of the people in conflict. Evenings and weekends are fine.
  • Before your mediation session, we send each of you more information about our services, about what to expect from mediation, and tips to make it go smoothly.
  • At the session, you will be joined by a 2- or 3-mediator panel. Their job is not to impose solutions, provide information, or offer advice. Rather, they facilitate communication between the two parties, help explore options for resolution, and help you craft an agreement that is workable, practical, and (most importantly) acceptable to both parties.

Cost:

The fee is generally $90, split between the parties. Find out more by calling (831) 475-6117.

Small Claims Diversion

You think the landlord owes you more of your security deposit. Your tenant left you with repairs. Your contractor hasn’t finished the job. The personal loan broke down when communication stopped. These and other situations lead people to small claims court, and to judgments that may not satisfy the situation, even if you "win." It doesn’t have to be that way.

Our Small Claims Diversion program runs much like the Community Mediation program above. Find out more about the advantages and process of diverting your small claim through mediation. pdf_iconDownload Diversion flyer.

Workplace Mediation

Conflict in the workplace can cause costly and time-consuming problems that weaken the whole organization. Some of these costs include disrupted workflow, reduced productivity, absenteeism, and lowered motivation and morale. If a workplace conflict is escalating and coworkers are unable to resolve it on their own, CRC's Workplace Mediation Program can help bring about a satisfying solution. Mediation promotes respectful communication and cooperative problem solving in the workplace.

Process

  • Anyone –an employee or employer- calls CRC to request a workplace mediation.
  • CRC staff calls and speaks to the person who called to gather basic information. If someone other than the employer calls, CRC staff will contact the employer to find out if a workplace mediation is possible.
  • If the employer is open to CRC’s assistance, a trained mediator will speak separately with each of the parties to understand their perspective and concerns.
  • The mediator assesses whether the case is appropriate for mediation, and if it is, s/he will facilitate a dialogue between the two parties.
  • Once the parties have the opportunities to be heard and to listen, they are often in a position to look creatively at options and create a mutual agreement of how to proceed.
  • Upon request, CRC can follow up to see how the agreement is going and to support the parties in any fine-tuning.

Cost

Most workplace mediation costs $80 per hour, but it may be less depending on the circumstances and complexity of the situation. Please call 475-6117 to find out more.

Parent-Teen Mediation

The relationship between parents and their teens is distinct from that of neighbors, would-be litigants, or people in the workplace. We have crafted a mediation process that is sensitive to what parents and teens need to feel heard and be able to live harmoniously. Find out more >

 

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Mediation in the Media

Beer Insights
Whether it’s a beer summit in Washington DC, or Santa Cruz and the University agreeing to plan for the future, click here to find examples of people working together. Read News >

Resources

CRC Resources
We would like to help, and we’re not alone. Our resource section offers legal, family support, and further mediation contacts to help your situation. See Resource >
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