DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES

When faced with a conflict or adversity there are 3 process options True Dialogue offers:  Mediation, Restorative Justice and Family Support Circles. The description of each is offered as a starting point.  Using a client-centered approach, True Dialogue designs a resolution process after consultation with you and the other party(s) involved.  

What is Mediation? a dynamic, structured, interactive process guided by a trained mediator who assists disputing parties in resolving a conflict through the use of specialized communication and negotiation techniques.

• Mediated agreements can be presented in court or used to prepare a legal agreement with the consent of parties. A mediator cannot give legal advice, and therefore parties are encouraged to obtain legal counsel.
• Mediation is voluntary. This means that you and the other party (or multi-stakeholders) agree to use a mediator rather then going to court, or having administrative personnel make the decision, i.e. arbitrator, tribunal, designated officer.
• A mediator's role is dedicated to helping you and the other party find agreement on issues without taking sides.
• Mediators don't make decisions and don't force you or the other party to agree. They help parties to engage in an open discussion to better understand each others perspectives and find an optimal solution.

Mediation Service Areas: Family (Divorce or Separation), Child & Family Services contested court orders or service plan conflicts, Workplace Conflict (interpersonal, lateral violence, bullying, harassment), Civil Disputes, Agricultural, Land-use, or Energy Disputes, Public Complaints, Client or Employee Grievances, Inter-Municipal Collaborative Framework or Development Plan Disputes, First Nations, Métis Settlement or Métis Nation of Alberta Governance or Membership Disputes.

What is a Restorative Justice Process?

When a crime has occurred​ or other forms of misconduct, a restorative justice process explores harm to people and relationships.  This process brings the person(s) impacted, the person(s) responsible, and if desired their supports, in a face to face encounter to talk about what happened, share how they've been affected, and explore what needs to happen to make things right in order to accomplish things like:  re-build trust, fix the problem, repair the harm, attend to personal and/or public safety.  

A restorative meeting does not seek to fix blame, but affirms the integrity and respect of all the participants by creating a safe space for people to express genuine feelings and emotions in a confidential setting.   

• A facilitator would begin by meeting 1-1 with primary parties to assess safety, and level of readiness to participate.  Then, meet with other people  identifed as secondary parties, and support people. 
• If ready to proceed, facilitator designs a process to accommodate specific needs identifed by primary parties.
• A location and date is set for the meeting, which takes approximately 2-3 hours.  
• If applicable, the facilitator helps parties to determine follow-up monitoring activity, and prepares a written agreement detailing the conditions that must be met in order for the matter to be resolved.  

Facilitation Services provided for police, schools, post-secondary institutions, mental health, victim services, probation, group homes, community agencies, and child and family services.  

What is a Family Support Circle?

If family is the basic unit of society, we should do everything to preserve it. Anytime a member of a family isn't doing well, retaining the services of a professional facilitator to plan a family meeting may be just the process your looking for. This process brings family and/or kin-like family together with relevant professionals i.e. Child and Family Services, Police, School or Community Agency supports, to collaboratively problem-solve in a supportive, non-judgmental fashion to address problematic behaviour impacting safety.   People invited, and participation of children/youth is determined in consultation with primary parties (legal guardians/caregivers and formal authority). 

Examples of Different Applications include: 

• Reintegration planning for an individual (youth, student, adult) returning to their (community-school) upon release from custody, nearing the end of their probation, or completion of a school suspension. 
• To address chronic absenteeism, lateness, behavioral compliance issues. 

• To develop a safety, reunification, or a permanency plan for a child in care or to successfully transition a youth into adult independence.

• Safety support planning for individuals experiencing domestic violence or wanting to maintain sobriety after treatment. 

Serving communities in Northeastern Alberta: St. Paul, Lac La Biche, Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Vermilion, and Lloydminster; First Nation Communities: Saddle Lake, Cold Lake, Frog Lake, Kehewin, Beaver Lake, Heart Lake, Whitefish (Goodfish), and Onion Lake; Eastern Metis Settlements: Elizabeth, Fishing Lake, Kikino, and Buffalo Lake. Provide consultancy and training services to communities across Canada. 

For inquires or to access services please use below email link: