Resources
CRS Programs
The goals of all CRS programs and services are to help parties in conflict understand different perspectives, share information about resources and best practices, and support communities as they identify and implement solutions. Examples of CRS’s facilitated dialogue and training programs are as follows.
Bias Incidents and Hate Crimes Forums: These forums educate community members and law enforcement about the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act as well as state and local hate crimes laws. They involve local and federal law enforcement, district attorneys, civil rights organizations, and community organizations in discussions aimed at developing strategies to effectively address and respond to bias incidents and hate crimes.
Protecting Places of Worship Forums: These programs provide strategies to help communities safeguard their places of worship against potential threats. Experts from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, along with faith-based organizations, provide information and resources related to hate crime laws, handling active shooter situations, and ensuring physical security at religious buildings. The program encourages the implementation of a security program, offers best practices for security, fosters networking and community outreach, and provides resources such as examples of security plans and community responses.
Protecting Centers of Community: This is a half-day session that brings together law enforcement, other public officials, community organizations, mental health professionals, and interested members of the community to offer them a space for discussions and the sharing of information on hate crimes, reporting procedures, and preventing and responding to violent incidents, as well as building safety. The program also encourages the implementation of a security program and offers best practices for security.
Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships (SPCP): These programs convene law enforcement and diverse community leaders in problem-solving discussions aimed at improving public safety by fostering trust and building partnerships. SPCP programs are designed to boost local capacity and develop solutions to improve police-community relations.
Contingency Planning: CRS works to strengthen participants’ knowledge around the planning of safe public events such as demonstrations or rallies, focusing on ways to reduce the risk of violence. These programs include sessions for developing safety plans and addressing potential safety concerns.
Event Marshals: Maintaining Safety During Public Events: This training prepares community members to act as event marshals, ensuring the safety and success of public events. Participants learn about the roles and responsibilities of marshals, discuss how to handle real-life scenarios, and receive a reference guide with essential information.
“Understanding” and “Engaging and Building Partnerships” with Communities Series—Arab American, Hindu American, Jewish, Muslim American, and Sikh American Communities: These programs are designed to familiarize community members with customs and cultural aspects of each community, including their beliefs, identity, practices, and civil rights-related issues that impact the community. The programs provide best practices for collaboration with these communities for peaceful co-existence and public safety.
Engaging and Building Relationships with Transgender Communities: This is a training program for law enforcement officers designed to help officers develop relationships and improve their interactions with transgender communities and individuals. The program aims to increase participants’ awareness and understanding of the civil rights-related issues impacting transgender individuals and communities, and provides strategies and best practices for improving communication and collaboration.
Dialogue on Race (renamed in 2025 as Dialogue on Community Conflict): This initiative fosters understanding by bringing together diverse community members to share information, personal stories, viewpoints, and experiences. Through the dialogue process, participants identify commonalities and strategies to enhance community relations.
Facilitating Meetings Around Community Conflict (“FMACC”): FMACC programs provide community leaders with the skills and tools needed to facilitate meetings effectively in tense or conflicted environments. They enhance facilitators’ effectiveness, improve their listening and observation skills, and provide resources for planning, conducting and following up on meetings aimed at resolving community conflict.
School-Student Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together (School-SPIRIT): School-SPIRIT programs engage student leaders, school administrators, and other school community members in identifying and resolving issues affecting their schools.
City-Site Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together (City-SPIRIT): This program convenes diverse community stakeholders—such as public officials, law enforcement, members of the faith-based community, and community groups—to identify and address issues impacting their community, thereby reducing conflict, improving communication, and minimizing the potential for future conflict.
Campus-Site Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together (Campus-SPIRIT): Campus-SPIRIT programs help student leaders, campus administrators, faculty, staff, campus law enforcement, and external community leaders identify and address issues impacting their college or university communities.
CRS Annual Reports
CRS Services
CRS’s services to federal, state, and local governments as well as to communities can be divided into four areas: facilitation of dialogue, mediation, training, and consultation. These services are provided at no cost, offered both in-person and virtually, and tailored to each community’s needs.
Facilitation of Dialogue: CRS facilitates the development of mutual understanding and agreements as alternatives to coercion, violence, or litigation. CRS conciliators help open lines of communication among diverse groups, enabling them to learn about each other’s perspectives and the underlying issues of their conflicts. These dialogues typically involve local agencies, institutions, and community members and may address topics such as racial tensions, police-community relations, perceived hate crimes, tribal conflicts, and protests and demonstrations. CRS-facilitated dialogues also help stakeholder groups develop action plans to improve communication and promote partnerships.
Mediation: CRS conciliators serve as impartial third-party mediators, helping diverse stakeholders resolve community-based conflicts. Mediation is a structured process designed to address misunderstandings, establish mutual trust, and empower communities to independently prevent and resolve future conflict. These sessions are confidential, fostering candid discussion of issues, interests, values, and sustainable solutions. The goal of mediation is not to determine fault but to identify ways to improve collaboration and strengthen partnerships among parties. The results of mediation are often recorded in written documents, such as memorandums of understanding or mediation agreements.
Training: CRS conducts training sessions that develop locally based, long term mechanisms for communities to deescalate tensions, address conflicts, and prevent or respond to violent hate crimes. CRS training programs provide representatives from government, faith organizations, law enforcement, civil rights groups, and other community organizations with the knowledge and skills needed to increase understanding and improve collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Consultation: CRS conciliators offer consultation and technical assistance services that educate and empower communities, refining their conflict resolution strategies and addressing underlying issues. These services provide stakeholders with insights into best practices and resources designed to alleviate tensions and prevent future conflict.