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What to expect during a mediation

Mediation is a conflict intervention process that allows participants to be supported to have important conversations about their situation. Participants are in control of the process, not the mediator. The mediator’s role is to support participants’ efforts to communicate needs, concerns, and challenges so that participants can make informed decisions about their situation.

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The mediator does not give advice of any type, make assessments or judgments about the participants or their situation, or act in any legal capacity. The mediator will not force any type of agreement on participants. If an agreement is reached during this mediation, it will be the participants’ agreement. The agreement is up to the participants and it is up to the participants to decide what it will say.

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You can watch Trish's video to get a sense of what a mediation looks like and how the process works.

"The mediation was a great opportunity for the parents and children to resolve the conflict. I am thankful that the situation was resolved in mediation as opposed to court hearing."

- Mediation Participant

How to schedule a mediation

To schedule or discuss services, you can call the Center at (937) 333-2345. A conflict intervention specialist will listen to the concerns you have about your situation and answer your questions. The staff will work with everyone involved to find an agreeable time and date for your mediation. You can also refer a case to mediation, either for yourself or others, by using our referral form.

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Mediation services are at no cost to City of Dayton residents and individuals who work or attend school with an address in the City of Dayton. Specialized conflict intervention service fees are negotiated for individuals outside the City of Dayton’s boundaries.

Preparing for a mediation

To prepare in advance, think about what would be helpful to have to discuss your situation. If there are specific materials or examples that would add to an explanation, you can bring those items to your mediation.

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In addition, before your mediation conversation, it may be helpful to think about the following questions:

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  1. What’s the hardest part of this situation for you?

  2. What do you want the other person(s) to understand about you that might help in resolving matters for him/her?

  3. If you could only have one thing come out of your conversation, what would that be?

  4. What are you willing to do to help that happen?

  5. What, if anything, do you want to understand about the other person?

  6. When you start your conversation, do you want to say anything about:

    • The content of your conversation: specific topics to discuss/not to discuss?

    • How you will talk with each other: guidelines or ground rules for your conversation?

    • How much time you want to spend for your conversation and/or if another session is needed?

  7. How confidential do you want/need your conversation with each other to be?

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