SCORE Peer Mediation Intern Position Description
SCORE Peer Mediation is a program run at Taunton High School through Community Care Services. The SCORE program is committed to students helping students resolve disputes peacefully. The student mediators complete a comprehensive twenty-two hour training conducted by our SCORE Coordinator in the skills of mediation - listening, questioning and facilitating. This empowering model provides students with the skills necessary to help their peers resolve problems that could quickly escalate to violence. Mediation is voluntary, neutral and confidential. The student mediators listen to all sides of the dispute, and help parties to arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution. Student Conflict Resolution Experts (SCORE) programs are funded by the public school served by the program and by the Office of the Attorney General.
Some of the learning and growth opportunities in SCORE Peer Mediation that an intern would experience are:
Intake: Learn to interview parties referred to mediation using intake form; learn to explain mediation and confidentiality; assist in setting a date for mediation.
Outreach: Learn to develop a working relationship with all potential sources of referrals (principal, vice principal, counselors, teachers, students); learn to communicate with referral sources once a mediation is complete; help to continue to implement a marketing plan to promote the program.
Coordination of Mediation Sessions: assist in coordinating mediation sessions by scheduling a time and date that both mediators and parties will be present; be present in or outside the room during mediations; help in providing assistance to the mediators and parties as needed.
Monitoring agreements: Assist in conducting follow-ups with parties at designated intervals after mediation session has been completed.
Supervision of Mediators: Meet regularly with student mediators; help provide on-going training and feedback.
Training: Assist in recruiting and screening a cross-section of potential student mediators.
Data Collection: Learn program evaluation methods, maintenance of program records, and assist in collecting data to provide statistical information to the Attorney General’s Office.
Interns should be able to commit 16-24 hours per week. If you wish, time may be split between the SCORE Peer Mediation Program and Taunton Youth Court at Taunton High School. Programs can be flexible with your schedule.
- Interns should have an interest in – and sensitivity toward - the population that this program serves. Community Care Services requires a Criminal Offender Record Investigation (CORI) which may take 2 weeks for some programs. Other requirements include Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training, as well as tuberculosis screening at some programs. We will arrange for completion of all your requirements.
Community Care Services is a large, nonprofit human services agency with over thirty very diverse programs located throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The agency has over 450 employees and 250 volunteers, including interns. Please visit our web site www.communitycareservices.org to learn more about the agency.
CONTACT:
Tracy Gosson, Violence Prevention Coordinator
tgosson@communtiycareservices.org
phone: 508.821.1306 – This number works during the school year.
