From Conflict to Connection Training Series
Education for Conflict Resolution (ECR) Presents a Two-Part Training Series
“From Conflict to Connection”
For learners from beginner to advanced, these training sessions are designed for social workers, teachers, police, firefighters, EMTs, librarians, local government officials, and other community helpers who work directly with the public. The general public is also welcome.
Participants may choose to take only the Part I Training, but are required to take both parts if seeking to become a community mediator.
| Part I: Building the Bridge: Communicating Through Conflict | October 23-24, 2026 |
| Learn and practice conflict resolution skills and de-escalation techniques! The first part of the series is designed to guide learners in understanding the dynamics of conflict and in learning and practicing powerful communication skills to reduce and resolve it. | |
| Part II: Crossing the Bridge: Becoming a Community Mediator | November 13-14, 2026 |
| Become a community mediator and help community members resolve conflict! The second part of the series is for seekers who want to build on the foundation of productive communication and conflict to become trained community mediators with the tools and knowledge to support others as they work through and resolve conflict. | |
Why You Might Be Interested in This Training Event
Most of us were never taught how to handle conflict well. We learned by watching, and much of what we saw was people shutting down, blowing up, or avoiding hard conversations altogether. Now, with increasing division and tension so prevalent in our culture, relationships and workplaces are strained.
Many struggle through conflict, hoping for the best. This training series offers an understanding of why conflict escalates, ways to de-escalate, and practical skills to respond effectively. The training is designed especially for helpers like social workers, teachers, and public servants.
Trained in 1994 by ECR to be a mediator, Linda Troop is the Executive Director of ECR and has been a mediation practitioner for 10 years and a mediation trainer for five years. Andrew Duffy, PhD, is a conflict resolution practitioner who has worked in 15 countries and has mediated for 20+ years. The trainers co-created the training series.
ECR is a nonprofit agency and one of the Midwest’s longest operating conflict resolution and training centers. Since 1988, ECR has provided interpersonal and organizational consultation and mediation, as well as conflict education trainings and workshops for schools, agencies, businesses, corporations, churches, and community groups. [Learn More]
Registration Deadline: “Early Bird” registrants save $100 if registered by August 1. To save $50, register by September 1. All other registrations due by October 2.
Continuing Education Credits (CEUs): Approved for 14 Social Work Continuing Education Hours Per Training (28 for Both Trainings in the Series)
Not sure if this training is for you?
We’ll be holding a drop-in informational session on Wednesday, September 30, between 4:30 and 5:30. You can drop in anytime during those hours to ask any questions you have about the training series.