With funding from the AAA-ICDR Foundation, the Center for Dispute Resolution at Maryland Carey Law (C-DRUM) will embark on a two-year project aimed at supporting conflict resolution efforts to promote civil discourse and improve societal divisions. The project, Public Sector First Response, equips civil servants with training and support to engage with constituents and fulfill their organizations' mission while promoting civil discourse within communities. Although national media outlets communicate news, citizens’ daily interactions with state and local government play a critical role in perceptions about government and society. Using the first responder concept, a person with the ability to quickly stabilize a situation, this innovative project trains and supports public sector “first responders” to gather information, make quick assessments, and de-escalate conflict.
The AAA-ICDR Foundation is dedicated “to promoting and improving approaches to alternative dispute resolution” with a priority of supporting efforts focused on the use of civil discourse to improve societal divisions. The overarching objective of the Public Sector First Response project is to promote inclusive and respectful communication, encouraging civil servants to bridge the gap between diverse viewpoints and establish a foundation for collaborative actions. The project will train a cadre of employees, support and evaluate the impact of the training, and produce a final curriculum including train-the-trainer materials.
“This project is a natural progression of C-DRUM’s work in the public sector and our mission to transform individuals and systems,” reflected C-DRUM’s executive director, Toby Treem Guerin. “We know that how valuable communication and conflict resolution is in our daily lives and how quickly small interactions escalate into harmful words and actions.”
C-DRUM is excited to partner with the Anne Arundel County Government on this project. With approximately 4,000 constituent-serving employees, as well as critical state offices including the Governor’s Office and the Maryland General Assembly, the impact of the project has far-reaching potential. As Adrienne Mickler, executive director of the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency, commented, “By investing in training programs that focus on communication skills and conflict resolution techniques, this project aims to ensure that employees perform their roles while promoting a safer and more harmonious community.”