Johnson County and the City of Iowa City have been awarded a technical assistance grant to bring field mediation services to our community - an approach that helps address nonviolent interpersonal conflicts through dialogue, de-escalation, and dignity-centered practices.

Over the next 15 months, Dignity Best Practices will work alongside local partners to build and launch a pilot program in collaboration with CommUnity Crisis Services. As part of this effort, CommUnity's existing Mobile Crisis Team will receive cross-training in field mediation, expanding their ability to respond not only to mental health calls, but also to nonviolent disputes.

A community event to share more about this process will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Meeting Room A of the Iowa City Public Library.

This public event is an opportunity to:

• Learn what field mediation is and how it works
• Understand how the pilot program will be developed and implemented
• Hear from representatives from Dignity Best Practices, local government, and CommUnity Crisis Services
• Ask questions, share perspectives, and engage in conversation about community safety and conflict response

Community members are encouraged to attend, learn more, and be part of the conversation as this new initiative takes shape.

Learn more about Dignity Best Practices at their website.