Center for Community Dispute Settlement

The Center for Community Dispute Settlement (CCDS) was founded in 1995.  CCDS emerged out of a recognized need for non-adversarial conflict resolution for individuals and organizations.  CCDS provides in-court and neighborhood mediation, certifies new mediators and works with youth teaching restorative justice principles.

Community Youth Courts

At the request of the Pleasanton Court, CCDS developed the Tri Valley Youth Court (TVYC).  The Youth Court opened its doors in January 2008.  TVYC has successfully worked with over 200 families.  The result has been teens completing thousands of hours of community service, nearly one hundred face-to-face apologies, and receiving the help they need through classes, counseling and peer interaction. TVYC closed in 2018.
Community Youth Courts
Shortly after TVYC opened, the Alameda County Juvenile Probation Department asked that CCDS start a Youth Court in the Southern Alameda County area.  In response, CCDS opened the Eden Township Youth Court (ETYC) in July, 2011 - Now Eden Youth Forum.  Eden Youth Forum provides services to Hayward and the unincorporated areas of Southern Alameda County (Castro Valley, San Leandro and San Lorenzo).  Eden Youth Forum has partnered with the Castro Valley Unified School District to implement a separate youth court specifically for students attending Castro Valley schools (CVYC).

Administration

Diane Jeronimo, Executive Director, Center for Community Dispute Settlement
Tonya Clenney, Assistant Director, Center for Community Dispute Settlment
                            Executive Director, Community Youth Courts
Karen Halfon, Program Director,  Eden Youth Forum & CVYC