Our Programs

FAMILY SERVICES AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community Mediation Services takes the safety of our clients and staff very seriously. In order to halt the spread of COVID-19 and in light of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s declaration of a state of emergency in New York City, we have decided emergency precautions are necessary.

All CMS offices will be operating remotely for the foreseeable future.

We are committed to providing essential services to the communities that depend on us; hence, our departments can be reached by phone or email to answer questions and provide support. Please keep in mind that this might result in extended wait times and a transition period as we grow accustomed to this new system. Your patience during this time is greatly appreciated.

All upcoming CMS groups and workshops are either postponed or converted to webinars. If you are enrolled in a group or signed up for a workshop for the month of March and you haven’t received an email from us, please email info@mediatenyc.org.

Please take precautions to protect yourself and our community. For information and updates on COVID-19, please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the NYS Department of Health, and NYC Health websites.

Thank you in advance for working to keep our city healthy and safe.

John Harrison, CEO

Family Services Division

Our Family Services Division is comprised of three distinct programs that stabilize families, keep them together and focus on the wellbeing of the children. The three programs are: The Family Empowerment Program, Multidimensional Family Therapy and the General Preventive Program. All three programs provide individual and family counseling, home visits as well as groups and workshops. We believe each family is unique and that each family member has strengths they can build upon to achieve their goals. Once families have been given the tools and knowledge they need to navigate through life, they will become self-sufficient.

The Family Empowerment Program (FEP)

Family Empowerment Program (FEP)

The Family Empowerment Program (FEP) cases are diverted from Queens Family Court and involve mediating issues regarding truancy, disrespectful behavior, experimental use of substances, and caregiver / child conflict. While participating in FEP, adolescents attend weekly group sessions that help to enhance their problem solving abilities and equips them to collaborate effectively with others during this three month, crisis intervention counseling program.

ELMHURST COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

The Elmhurst Community Partnership (ECP) is a collective impact initiative funded by the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), as part of the Community Partnership Program. The Community Partnership Program (CPP) represents ACS’ ongoing commitment to partner with communities to advance primary prevention strategies. CPPs are coalitions that serve as local hubs for providers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to 1) Collaborate and share resources, 2) Increase family access to information and resources, and 3) Design primary prevention strategies. The Elmhurst Community Partnership works collaboratively in these areas to improve conditions for children and families living in the Queens, NY communities of Elmhurst, Corona, and Jackson Heights. We are proud to partner with the many organizations and individuals who help to make this initiative a success.

EXCLUDED WORKER FUND

Funded by the NYS Department of Labor, the Excluded Workers Fund (EWF) provides financial help to New Yorkers who lost income during the COVID-19 pandemic and were left out of various federal relief programs, including unemployment and pandemic benefits. CMS is proud to collaborate with the Tourette Association of America to ensure our most vulnerable residents including the disability population are served.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

NeON Works is designed for people who are at all different stages of their employment journey: from the young person who is not sure where to begin to the college graduate who wants to get ahead in their chosen field – providing a highly individualized set of opportunities depending on each person’s interests and work readiness. NeON Works provide three main services along with wraparound supports as needed:

Professional development and career exploration workshops
Individualized needs assessment and supports
Supported connections to programs that result in one of the following outcomes: a) high school equivalency (HSE) credential enrollment, b) college enrollment, c) enrollment in a college pathway program, d) acceptance into internships and job services programs, e) job placement, or f) training that leads to a high-quality credential proven to assist with job placement.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Youth Development Programs

Our youth development services are based upon the core belief that positive development begins with both respect for others and empowerment of self. Each program empowers youth to reflect on themselves and their circumstances and to identify goals and strategies that will enable them to succeed. Our Youth Development services include numerous school based programs that allow those involved to acquire educational gains not obtained in classroom settings. Working within the community and various NYC public schools, we provide support for students of all ages. With an eye toward the future our academic programs fully integrate the concept of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) activities. Our arts enrichment services have included the following activities: music, art, photography, dance, theatre, fashion design, martial arts etc. This focus provides students with learning opportunities that may not be accessible in their regular school curriculum. Our academic activities help to improve students grades by supplementing what they are learning during the day as well as exposing them to new concepts. In addition to educational and arts activities, our catalog of programs include counseling, peer mediation, attendance improvement and dropout prevention, peer mentoring, restorative practices and youth leadership initiatives.

YOUTH JUSTICE

Youth Justice Programs

Our Youth Justice programs are designed as an Alternative to Incarceration for young people between the ages of 13-24. Working with the juvenile and criminal justice systems, our programs are geared to provide intensive levels of support and skills building while keeping youth out of institutions. Our programs address five domain areas: education, goal setting, advocacy, family stability, job readiness and employment skills.

Next STEPS

The Next Step Program

The Next STEPS Program serves young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who reside in Queensbridge Housing Development in Long Island City, NY. This program offers one-on-one and group mentoring to disconnected high-risk youth. The Next STEPS program provides a forum for youth to identify changes they need to re-engage in educational initiatives and find meaningful employment that prepares them for their career interests.

ARCHES

The Arches Transformative Mentoring Program

The Arches Transformative Mentoring Program helps young adults ages 16 to 24 transform their attitudes and behaviors that led to being placed on probation. Through group sessions, individual counseling and various other activities, youth involved in the Arches program are motivated to succeed and become productive citizens.

Advocate Intervene Mentor (AIM) Program

The AIM Program

The AIM Program provides intensive mentoring services, structure and support to youth and families residing in Southeast Queens. Participants are referred by a Family Court judge based on recommendations by the Department of Probation. Through individual and group activities, advocacy and community connections, this program helps to reduce crime and promote lifelong gains for youth involved in the justice system and their families.

Defender Based Advocacy Program

Community Mediation Services takes the safety of our clients and staff very seriously. In order to halt the spread of COVID-19 and in light of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s declaration of a state of emergency in New York City, we have decided emergency precautions are necessary. All CMS offices will be operating remotely for the foreseeable future. We are committed to providing essential services to the communities that depend on us; hence, our departments can be reached by phone or email to answer questions and provide support. Please keep in mind that this might result in extended wait times and a transition period as we grow accustomed to this new system. Your patience during this time is greatly appreciated. All upcoming CMS groups and workshops are either postponed or converted to webinars. If you are enrolled in a group or signed up for a workshop for the month of March and you haven’t received an email from us, please email info@mediatenyc.org. Please take precautions to protect yourself and our community. For information and updates on COVID-19, please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the NYS Department of Health, and NYC Health websites. Thank you in advance for working to keep our city healthy and safe. John Harrison, CEO

Defender Based Advocacy Program

We work with young adults, ages 18-26, with pending felony cases in Queens County. The goals of the program art to reduce the utilization of incarceration, prevent future involvement with the criminal justice system, create pathways to employment and education, and help participants reengage in civic and community life.

MEDIATION SERVICES

March 19, 2020 Dear CMS Community, We hope you, your family and loved ones are healthy and safe in light of the coronavirus outbreak. Given the recent events and looking ahead to what we all must do to get through this together, we want to update you on our plans to continue to work in this new environment. Our commitment to support our Queens community by providing conflict resolution services remains our top priority and we will continue to do so while taking the safety precautions and measures to help stop the spread of the virus. As of March 18, our CMS office is closed until further notice. Please note that the Mediation Programs at CMS will continue and our mediation staff are working diligently to transition the in-person mediations sessions that will normally be held at our center to online mediation sessions via Zoom or phone conferences. We are mindful that as we adapt to this new reality, we recognize the benefits of utilizing the online platform in continuing our mediation services while at the same time ensuring the safety of our clients, volunteers and staff. We truly are looking forward to when things are back to normal with our usual in-person mediation sessions but for now we are working with what we have and trying to stay positive as we pivot and reframe. To reach out for an intake process, kindly see the contact person for each Mediation Programs:

For issues relating to Community and Family Mediation, please reach out to Debbie-Ann Henry – dhenry@mediatenyc.org / Office:718-523-6868 x 215 — Cell: (347) 238-7220
For issues relating to Special Education, IEP’s, and Early Intervention, please reach out to Susan Petza – spetza@mediatenyc.org / Office: 718-523-6868 x 235 — Cell: (718) 790.0474
For Housing issues related to ( Noise, Neighbors, Landlord/tenant disputes), please reach out to, Iris Zhou – izhou@mediatenyc.org – Office: (631) 612-4818
For Community Referrals, please reach out to, Sharon Osbourne – sosbourne@mediatenyc.org / Office: 718-523-6868 x 269 — Cell ( 347) 238-6773
For issues relating to Civil Court Matters, please reach out to, Hasan Tariq – htariq@mediatenyc.org Office: 718-523-6868 x 216 — Cell: (347) 238-6717
For issues relating to Housing Mediation, please reach out to, Ahmed Rodriguez – arodriguez@mediatenyc.org Office: (646) 387-6553
For issues relating to Surrogate’s Court Matters, please reach out to, Sharon Osbourne – sosbourne@mediatenyc.org / Office: 718-523-6868 x 269 — Cell ( 347) 238-6773
For one-on-one Conflict Coaching services, please reach out to, Sharon Osbourne – sosbourne@mediatenyc.org / Office: 718-523-6868 x 269 — Cell ( 347) 238-6773

In this stressful time for our city, country and the world, CMS remains committed to do our part in supporting our Queens community with their conflict by providing a platform to have safe conversations and support our clients in finding ways to engage in creative resolutions of their conflict. Our gratitude goes to our volunteer mediators, partners and community for their steadfast support of CMS as we transition to this new remote model. From all of us here at the Mediation Team, we are sending positive energy and wishes for good health and safety. Grace and Peace, John Harrison, CEO

Community Mediation Services

Community Mediation Services, a leader in the field of conflict resolution, offers a number of specialized mediation programs and training courses. Services have been designed and tailored to fit each unique situation. The programs and services are available to Queens residents, businesses and institutions.

Community Dispute Services (CDS)

Community Dispute Services (CDS)

CDS provides mediation services, free of charge, for Queens County residents. Disputes resolved through mediation include: family, neighbor, interpersonal elder care, civil court, community, housing, landlord-tenant, roommate, special education, juvenile delinquency, lemon law.

Divorce Mediation

Divorce Mediation

Divorce Mediation is a cost-effective way for litigants in the Supreme Court to resolve matrimonial disputes. The divorce mediator guides the parties in the process, addressing various ways to successfully dissolve a marriage and divide property in the State of New York. The complex nature of these cases requires the charge of an hourly rate determined by the combined income of the participants.

Victim/Offender Youth Mediation Project

This program is based on the understanding that justice does not always adequately address the needs of victims, who may be left with emotional trauma that punishing offenders does not always alleviate. Conversely, arrests do not address the reasons why individuals commit offenses. Through victim/offender mediation, victims have the opportunity to face their offenders and state their feelings; the offenders have an opportunity to offer an apology and accept responsibility for their behavior.

School-based Mediation & Restorative Justice

CMS mediation training for schools includes theoretical and practical aspects of the CMS Basic Mediation Training, tailored to the school experience and ages of the students. Participants who benefit from this training include staff, teachers, administrators, students, and parents. The training can be adjusted to train the various participants together or in groups, (e.g., students and teaching staff/administration). We also provide long term development programs for students.

Eldercare Mediation Program

Changes in people’s needs and roles as they age create new stresses on elders and their loved ones. Therefore, we work with seniors and their families to navigate eldercare issues, regardless of income or socioeconomic status. Examples of these issues include: residence decisions, distribution of caregiving responsibilities, safety and health concerns, guardianship, medical and legal powers, wills and estates, the sale of the family home, etc. This program is funded in partnership wit the New York Foundation for Eldercare.

Peer Mediation

Peer mediation trains and supports students to serve as conflict resolvers and peace ambassadors within their own school communities. Peer mediators are often identified as leaders in the school and come from a variety of social and academic backgrounds. Often the most effective peer mediators are those students who have previously experienced conflict with teachers or other students.

Restorative Justice/Circle Process

Special Education Mediation Restorative practices emphasize the significance of maintaining and cultivating community centered relationships through a shift in a community’s culture. The Circle Process is one such practice that brings together all parties involved in a conflict. Relationship and values are emphasized by the individual participants in repairing harm and bringing harmony back to the community.

Assisting Children Through Transition (A.C.T.)

The A.C.T program educates divorcing or separating parents about the effect their separation has on their children. The program’s primary goal is to teach parents how to reduce stress resulting from relationship changes while protecting their children from the negative effects of parental conflict.

Special Education & Early Intervention Mediation

Special Education & Early Intervention Mediation are processes in which parents of children with special needs and the school district or EIOs (Early Intervention Officials) meet with a neutral person, a mediator, to work out their differences. This aid is preferred by parents, schools/EIOs/DOE as a way of resolving:
– IFSP – Individualized Family Service Plan,
– Student’s education placement,
– Evaluation,
– Classification, and/or services.
In almost all cases, mediation develops a solution for both parents and school/EIOs/DOE in a way that:
– Allows all concerns to be heard,
– Improves communication,
– Builds trust and reinforces bonds,
– Chance to have an equal say in all decisions,
– Individualized and supportive solutions.
To request Mediation contact Susan Petza, 718-790-0474, or spetza@mediatenyc.org.

Thank you,

Susan Petza
Lemon Law Arbitration &
Early Intervention, Special Education,
ACCES-VR Mediation Manager
spetza@mediatenyc.org
718-523-6868 x235

718-790-0474 (cell)