What is Conflict Resolution and Violence Prevention?

Conflict exists in all aspects of life. Unhealthy conflict can lead to stress, anxiety, damaged relationships, behavioral problems, violence, and other negative outcomes. Learning skills to effectively resolve conflict in healthy ways can reduce occurrences of situations escalating to violence and can lead to more positive outcomes, overall.

Through our efforts, we seek to reduce incidences of violence and unhealthy conflict management in homes, schools, and the community. 

Envision Partnerships' Conflict Resolution & Violence Prevention Services

Our agency offers numerous services that seek to provide conflict resolution skills development and violence prevention education. Two of the main services under this pillar include the Mediation & Facilitated Problem-Solving (MaPS) Program, and school & community-based services. 

1. Mediation & Facilitated Problem-Solving (MaPS) Program 

MaPS is a process where people with concerns, problems, and/or conflict can work together in a safe, confidential environment to find acceptable resolution of those issues and improve their relationships. MaPS addresses the primary issue for the referral, as well as other relevant issues. The process focuses on empowering participants to generate solutions that are workable for them, concluding with a written agreement. When appropriate, MaPS mediators may make a referral to one of our many community partners based on the individual needs of the youth, family, or MaPS participants.

Characteristics of MaPS:

• Confidential
• Uses a neutral, third-party facilitator
• Participant-driven conflict resolution
• Encourages the development of active listening & effective communication skills
• A collaborative process of problem-solving
• Creates mutually agreed upon solutions
• Written agreement with individualized, tangible next steps and goals

Types of MaPS:

• Juvenile Court-Based: Youth who have been cited to Juvenile Court for a variety of status offenses and misdemeanors (such as unruly, disorderly conduct, etc.) are often asked by the court to attend MaPS. These sessions are either family-based where the youth and their parent/guardian(s) attend, or juvenile-to-juvenile-based where youth who have gotten into conflict attend mediation together. 
   
• School or Community-Based:
  • Truancy MaPS: Addresses and helps resolve issues related to school absences and tardiness. The parent/guardian(s) attends the session, along with the child and/or school personnel as appropriate.
  • Family MaPS: Assists the family in addressing conflict and other issues affecting the child and/or family, as a whole. The parent/guardian(s) attends along with the child.
  • Student (Youth) MaPS: Helps youth to problem solve, make healthy decisions, and find resolution to conflict. The youth meet with the mediator to address school-related issues and will also possibly meet with other students with whom they have disagreements in an effort to resolve the conflicts and avoid future issues.
  • Workplace MaPS: An opportunity for workplace conflict or issues (between coworkers, supervisor and supervisee, etc.) to be addressed in a confidential, neutral environment. With the assistance of the mediator, participants are able to hear one another and work to resolve conflict and other issues to avoid future challenges and promote a healthier work environment.

Envision Partnerships does not provide mediation services for divorce and custody cases.

2. Other School & Community-Based Services

Our youth-focused services incorporate evidence-based strategies for developing healthy conflict resolution skills and violence prevention at individual, group, and community levels.

Types of services offered:

• Universal classroom-based programming 
• Small group sessions
• Community center after-school and summer programming 

Through these offerings, we employ life skills and developmental assets to equip both youth and parent/guardians with the tools to address future concerns on their own, should they arise. 

What are the Goals of our Conflict Resolution & Violence Prevention Programming?

• To provide youth, families, and community members with skills and strategies that promote healthy behaviors and relationships
• Increase protective factors and developmental assets
• Reduce risk factors that lead to unhealthy conflict and violence in youth, families, and the community
• Decrease the need for school-based consequences like suspensions and expulsions and to reduce youth and families contact with the court system

Want to Learn More About our Conflict Resolution & Violence Prevention related services?

Learn more about our offerings in Conflict Resolution/Violence Prevention by visiting our What We Do tab.