Trainings

We offer professional training of the highest caliber, created and developed with over thirty years of experience in the conflict management field.

All training sessions are currently online.

Virtual Dispute Resolution Training

The Volunteers of America Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) is an alternative dispute resolution center with extensive experience as a mediation and training program. Become a certified mediator through one of our online training sessions and learn how to facilitate mediations in families, in your community with landlord/tenant disputes, or in the workplace between employees.

Virtual Basic Professional
Mediation Training (40 hours)

Basic Professional Mediation Training (BMT) is an intensive eight days of learning to be a neutral third party: a mediator. Participants will learn the facilitative eight-stage mediation model, conflict theory and styles, mediator communication skills, interest-based negotiations, collaborative problem solving, the mediator's role and principles of conflict resolution. The training integrates lectures, presentations, demonstrations, and coached mediation role plays. Students will be provided basic instruction on how to work within the online learning environment for this virtual training. Clock Hours, CLEs, and college credits are available. This course also meets the mediation training requirements for Collaborative Law professionals.

Virtual Family Mediation
Training (24 hours)

Family Mediation Training teaches mediators how to help families resolve conflicts with a primary focus on helping couples through a dissolution. Participants learn how to handle emotionally volatile situations, help parents focus on the needs of their children in order to create and modify parenting plans, and mediator techniques for dealing with difficult family cases. 

Community Mediation
Training (16 hours)

The Community Mediation Training (CMT) is a 16-hour class for beginning mediators who want to work toward mediator certification in the Community Mediation Practicum track. You will learn how to handle the varied mediations of Small Claims Court, Landlord/Tenant cases, and Eviction Prevention cases. Participants will learn about the typical issues encountered in these cases, tips for mediating them, mediating with attorneys, and court protocols and will dive deep into power balancing, working with strong emotions, and negotiation. This training integrates lecture presentations, exercises, discussions, and mediation role-plays to learn the information and practice the skills taught. Expand your mediator’s skillset and confidently mediate all situations with a better understanding of human interactions and conflict.

​

Basic Mediation Training is a prerequisite for this class.

Interesting in becoming a certified mediator?  Learn more here.

Trauma-Informed Training 1.0

Trauma-Informed Training 1.0 is two half-days of learning about trauma and the importance of being trauma-informed. You will learn the definition and types of trauma along with the “Four Rs” in the 6-hour course:

  • Realize the widespread impact of trauma and understand potential paths for recovery

  • Recognize the sign and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system

  • Respond by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices

  • Actively resist re-traumatization

Resolving Conflict in the Workplace

Learn the interest-based model of conflict resolution, identify core values/needs and recognize them in others to navigate conflict style tendencies. Apply tools and skills to easily share wants & needs in a conflict resolution conversation. 

"Separate Homes Connected Families" Co-Parenting Class (3 hours)

This Co-Parenting class assists parents going through divorce, helping them explore the changing family dynamics and relationships. This class will also help you focus on the child's needs. 

  • Learn how to help your children during a divorce 

  • Impact of parental conflict on children 

  • How to co-parent effectively to help kids adjust 

  • Improve parenting skills and co-parenting skills 

  • Exploring the changing parental relationship 

  • Understanding grief and anger 

 

Reduced or free services are available based on income.

Contact Lisa Yant at 360-631-1803 or lyant@voaww.org

The in-person sessions below will be rescheduled with it is deemed safe to end social distancing.

School Training (Varies)

Dispute Resolution Center has provided a variety of training to school administrators, teachers and students. Training includes conflict resolution skills for staff and students as well as peer mediation training for students. Feel free to contact us to customize a training that works for your school.

​

For over 20 years, Dispute Resolution Center has operated training programs for inmates at the Monroe Correctional Complex. These trainings teach inmates mediation skills they can use within the prison as well as conflict resolution skills they can use once they are released. Both sets of skills can help integrate inmates back into society.

​

Professional development and Continuing Education credits are available through DRC training. In addition to learning valuable life skills, many former students have received continuing education credits, clock hours, and college credits for completing our trainings. Continuing Legal Education Credits can be received through the Washington State Bar Association and other CE credits may be available through other professional organizations.

Resolving Conflict in the Workplace (6 hours)

Participants will learn tools to manage conflict in the workplace and promote teamwork and cooperation. Key issues covered:

  • Conflict styles

  • Identification of issues and interests

  • Communication skills

  • Four-step conflict resolution process