The Goal: FARS reconciles families in extreme conflict by mediating between youth and their parents. The positive effects of this worthwhile effort extend well beyond the family walls, where healthy youth and families lead to decreased potential youth crime and violence, and improved school performance.

The Process: The program targets families in crisis with youth that have been identified by referring agencies as exhibiting 'incorrigible' behavior such as truancy, delinquency, and drug usage. Up to 3 mediation sessions are set up to facilitate discussion between parents and child, each lasting between 2 to 3 hours. Volunteer mediators are trained and coached by staff and professionals, and also receive in-service training to further build skills in conflict resolution and to work with the target population. A pool of over 50 FARS volunteers located throughout LA County ensures availability of service and flexible scheduling for the families. The last mediation session's objective is to reach a written agreement between both parties.

The Results: Post mediation statistics show evidence of program success, where

  - 90% of families return after the first session with an agreement; and
  - 95% of parents rate the program from good to excellent and would
      recommend to others.
  - Between 60-80% of both parties agree that there's been improvement in
      grades, school attendance, getting along with others, and family       relationships.
  - Among the youth participants, 84% reported having no contact with
      authority 3 months after mediation.
  - Almost all parents claim that they have used skills learned in mediation in the       home, and that there are fewer family quarrels as a result of improved
      communications.


Click HERE for the Application