Co-mmunication Systems Keep Kids Out of Court

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

People lack conflict communication competence, and the basic awareness that it involves a set of teachable, learnable skills. Everyone is affected by conflict, and the cost for this lack of understanding is exemplified in the dependency courts. Repeated exposure of families to the juvenile and family courts increases the likelihood: 1) That parents will ultimately succumb, 2) Family members will become the victims of violence, and 3) Children will become foster youths. The problem of violence and family violence must be addressed now, because the longer it goes on, the more direct damage it does, and the more it snowballs out into our Los Angeles communities, workplaces, and roadways. Conflict is the problem, not the people, and it affects all of us. Angelinos need better access to conflict communication skills education in digestible, multimedia formats with form, platform, content, and language diversity.

1,000 Lessons Learned from High Conflict Mediators A) Our volunteer-based dependency mediation program’s first-of-its-kind methodology has proven, over a period of 10-years, to set new levels for success, with 90% annual family success rates. B) Our education project, Advanced Family And Dependency Court Mediation-40, has proven over a period of nine years that our skills and methodology are teachable and learnable. C) Our initiative will build on these successes making our Lessons Learned available for the first time to Los Angeles community organizers, social programs, municipal employees, service providers, and the public.
People read less, so here's our innovative plan:
Reimagine the curriculum based on current offering with a broader audience in mind.
Use what we can from the current 40-hour education program. Requires re-editing existing videos for the new format.
Determine what subjects will require new videos to be created. Gather supporting documentation and record new videos.
Edit new videos, adding supporting documentation and language and accessibility.
Assemble materials, and build and upload to an appropriate online platform (currently Thinkific).
Beginning with the current Written Supplemental Education Manual, edit for broader audience.
Determine what live sessions will be of most value to a wider audience.
Make our newest education opportunity available, and get the word out.
Gather feedback.
Adjust the education product accordingly.

Our innovative multimedia initiative will help Angelinos learn and share how it’s the conflict that’s the problem, not the people. The short term involves media creation and public awareness. Next, we will adjust and expand.
Here’s a glimpse into a Los Angeles where everyone has the interest and skills to manage conflicts more effectively.
Families will develop stronger relationships by becoming better equipped to navigate disagreements without hurtful words or actions, leading to better physical and mental health.
Communities will experience people from different backgrounds finding common ground, building more inclusive, respectful communities. Workplace moral will improve, with less drama, and happier, healthier, more productive workforce, and enhanced innovation. Justice System: Many legal disputes arise from poorly managed conflicts. Fewer issues will escalate to the courtroom level. Fewer angry drivers making angry decisions on the road means safer, less stressful commutes.

Our evidence is based in part on the following data:
2015, Families Served: 168, Success: 79%
2016, Families Served: 238, Success: 96%
2017, Families Served: 342, Success: 95%
2018, Families Served: 474, Success: 97%
2019, Families Served: 632, Success: 92%
2020, Families Served: 314, Success: 96%
2021, Families Served: 604, Success: 88%
2022, Families Served: 492, Success: 88%
2023, Families Served: 504, Success: 90% The above information demonstrates three important results.
This ongoing program has the support of: The LAC Dependency Court Judicial Officers, The Children's Law Center of California (CLC), The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers (LADL), and the co-parenting families experiencing high conflict.
Our conflict engagement methodology continues to set new standards for court-connected mediation programs.
Our education system works! It has taught several dozen volunteer mediators how to engage with conflicts more successfully.