• A message to our community
  • We are outraged and heartbroken over the continued violence directed at our black and brown community. Please know the Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI stands with you.  As a center, we condemn hate, violence and racism in all of its ugly forms.  We are an organization that helps those who are in conflict engage in constructive dialogue with the goal of resolving disputes.  In our daily work we vow to continue to teach others how to deal with conflict in a positive and respectful manner, listen for understanding and treat people as they wish to be treated. We extend our condolences to the families and the communities who are mourning the loss of their loved ones.
401 GIVES

CMCRI IS MOVING ON MARCH 1, 2020
641 BALD HILL ROAD, SUITE 201
WARWICK, RI 02886

NEW LOCATION  *  NEW TRAINING CENTER *  SAME GREAT SERVICES

REGISTER NOW
CMCRI 40-HOUR MEDIATION TRAINING

Spring 2020 -- POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19
April 22, 23, 24, 28 & 29, 2020

Fall 2020
Friday, Saturday & Sunday Classes
October 16, 17, 18, 23 & 24, 2020


CMCRI’s Mediation Training is a highly interactive 40-hour course that provides participants with the fundamentals of the mediation process which includes facilitative, transformative, evaluative and directive.  
Over the course of five classes, we’ll cover:
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• Conflict Theory and Styles
• Role of the Mediator
• Role of Confidentiality and Neutrality
• Building Trust and Setting the Stage
• Active Listening
• Identification of Positions and Interests
• Reframing and Summarizing Techniques
• Setting an Agenda
• Dealing with Impasse
• Agreement Writing
• Ethics and Standards of Practice​
• Mediation with Represented Parties 
• Unauthorized Practice of Law 

The training is focused on practical skill-building with many group exercises and role-plays. While this course is open to anyone, it fulfills the Rhode Island statute training requirement for mediators. 

This course is also approved as CLE/CEU credit for Rhode Island attorneys and social workers. The 40-hour training is designed to qualify for 20 RI MCLE credits. Attorneys seeking credit must apply for individual course accreditation via Appendix G within the Rhode Island Supreme Court Attorney Portal. 

Training Fee is $995.00

What is Mediation?
Mediation is a process in which an impartial mediator facilitates productive communication and negotiation by the parties in dispute, and helps them explore options for moving forward. Mediation provides parties the opportunity to define and clarify their issues, understand their different perspectives, identify their interests, explore possible solutions, and work towards reaching mutually satisfactory agreements.
Mediation is...
  • Collaborative  |  You are encouraged to work together with the party you are in dispute with, to reach what you both agree to be the fairest and most viable agreement.
  • Respectful  |  Mediation encourages better listening, communication, and mutual awareness between participants.
  • Future-oriented  |  Mediation provides a better understanding of the issues that led to the dispute, then focuses on how both parties want to move forward rather than dwelling on the past.
  • Self-determined  |  You determine and craft the solution that works best for you, rather than having a judge or "expert" decide for you.
  • Affordable  |  Mediation usually costs less in money, time, and emotional drain compared to hiring lawyers (and going to court), and saves the toll paid by everyone involved should the conflict continue unresolved.
  • Confidential  |  You are able to keep your private matters private because mediators hold all mediation discussions and agreements in confidence, and cannot be compelled to testify should the matter go before a judge.
  • Satisfying & Durable  |  Based upon having actively resolved the conflict themselves, parties often feel satisfied about the process and the agreement. Personal pride and the likelihood of compliance are generally elevated through mediation.
Mediation is not a determination of who is right and wrong, and the mediator is not a judge, fact-finder, or decision-maker. Mediators do not give legal advice. Choosing to mediate does not preclude you from your right to try other options such as litigation or arbitration.

Mediation Matters
A landlord/tenant mediation success story

A local affordable housing complex referred two families to CMCRI.  Both families had been engaged in an extended feud that had resulted in multiple complaints to the management and Providence Police by members of both families and by their neighbors.  Frustrated by its inability to dispel the fighting between the families, the management staff in the housing complex let the families know that they were both facing eviction unless they were willing to work on the issues in a mediated setting.

CMCRI staff then engaged in several weeks of behind the scenes shuttle diplomacy to promote trust in and understanding of the process, to perform intakes, and to get all parties to agree to come to the table. On the day of the mediation the parties refused to look at one another and tensions ran high. Both families had several years of grievances they wished to discuss. The conversation took a turning point, however, when the mediator asked the adults in each family why they were there.  All acknowledged that maintaining the housing situation was important to the economic survival of their families.  With the assistance of the mediator, they were able to identify shared frustrations, shared concerns, and common goals.  Common concerns revolved around the stability of their families, the success and safety of their children, and the comfort of their residence.

After an extended mediation session, the parties identified many solutions for jointly resolving the problem, one of which included putting in a request that the complex management  allow the smaller of the two families to move to an apartment anticipated to be vacant within a month.  The family members also discussed expectations and conduct when they crossed paths within and outside the complex.  The session concluded with the parties all shaking hands, the tension visibly gone from the group.

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