A structured conversation with a neutral person.
The mediator does not decide who wins.
The process creates space to understand concerns, name what matters, and explore agreements or other next steps when that is appropriate.
Mediation
A neutral space to work through a dispute.
The mediator supports the conversation. The people involved keep the decisions.
01
Learn
Understand mediation.
See what mediation is, when it may fit, and what choices stay yours.
Explore mediation
02
Prepare
Think through the conversation.
Use a private preparation tool before you decide whether to reach out.
Prepare privately
03
Connect
Bring in a neutral person.
Ask CJC to work with you to see whether mediation or another next step may fit.
See what happens next
Learn
Understand before you decide.
Mediation is one way to respond to a dispute. Understanding what it is and what it is not can make the next choice clearer.
Mediation may fit when
- People need a clearer way to communicate.
- There is something specific to work through.
- A neutral person could make the conversation more workable.
- The people involved can make their own choices about participation.
When another step comes first
- Direct contact feels unsafe, coercive, or likely to escalate harm.
- Someone needs information before deciding whether to participate.
- The issue requires a different service or professional role.
- A pause is more constructive than another conversation right now.
Two kinds of mediation.
Community mediation
Conflict involving neighbors, families, organizations, schools, workplaces, and other community relationships.
Court-connected mediation
Civil mediation connected to Fresno County court matters, with distinct scheduling, practitioner, documentation, and reporting requirements.
Prepare before you reach out.
This is a private space to think through what you want to say. It is preparation, not mediation.
Nothing here is saved or sent to CJC. Write as much or as little as is useful, and copy your notes if you want to keep them. Reaching out afterward is optional.
Start with what feels important rather than trying to write the whole history.
What do you want to get clearer about?
Before you connect
What might this cost?
It depends on which path applies. Civil court mediation is funded under California’s DRPA. Community mediation has a published cost, with sliding-scale and sponsored access for eligible matters.
Civil court mediation
Sliding-scale participation fee
No cost to indigent participants
Eligibility and any contribution are determined through the program's intake process.
Participation remains voluntary.
Community mediation
Mediation for families, neighbors, organizations, and community matters.
Full cost starts at$1,200 per process
Includes initial assessment, participant preparation, facilitation, coordination, and defined follow-up.
Sliding-scale contributions are available for eligible community matters.
Cost should not be the only reason a constructive process is unavailable. It should not stop anyone from reaching out.
Scholarships, contracts, grants, donor support, or the Community Justice Access Fund may cover eligible community services. DRPA funding is separate and applies only to eligible civil court mediation.
See how CJC keeps this work reachableConnect
Bring in a neutral person.
Connecting is a choice. CJC starts with the situation and works with you to see whether community mediation, court-connected mediation, or another next step fits.
What brought you here?
What happens after you connect
01
Share what is happening
You choose what to share. You do not need legal language or a complete story.
02
CJC reviews it and connects with you
CJC looks at the request, timing, and access needs. Then a conversation clarifies the situation, your choices, and whether mediation fits.
03
Participation is explored
When appropriate, CJC reaches the people involved and works through availability and next steps.
04
Mediation takes place, and the next step is clear
A trained, neutral person supports a structured conversation without taking over the decisions. It ends in agreement, partial agreement, referral, follow-up, pause, or closure.
When you are ready.
Connecting is voluntary. CJC can walk through what comes next with you.
Connect
Stay connected with CJC.
Follow CJC’s work, share what you’re seeing, or get occasional updates about trainings and community events.