IMS 2021 Highlights

​Iowa Mediation Service will be closing for our winter holiday starting December 23, 2021, and we will return on January 3, 2022. As we prepare to close for the holiday break, we are taking a look back at the new developments from 2021. In response to the ongoing pandemic issues, IMS embraced technology this year, holding our first completely virtual live Introductory Mediation Training and Advanced Mediation Skills Training. It was a wonderful experience for everyone thanks to the care and dedication of the team and the very engaged trainees. We love the opportunity to work with exceptional trainees from across the state!

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Speaking of our team, we added two new members to the IMS team this year. Stephanie VonAhnen joined IMS in October as our Office Administrator. Stephanie was instrumental in learning all about Zoom so we could put our best foot forward for our virtual trainings! Stephanie will be taking our next Introductory Mediation Training and Advanced Mediation Skills Training in the spring to become IMS’s newest mediator. Elena Greenberg joined IMS in September as our Development and Communications Manager. Before coming to IMS, Elena was a family and criminal law attorney for twelve years. Elena has also been a family law mediator since 2015 and we are excited for the opportunity to add court ordered family law mediations to our list of services. Check out our new team member bios and fun facts here.

Kiley Fleming, Executive Director, and Elena both provide Life Coaching Services in a consulting capacity and believe these skills help further augment the work provided at IMS. The organization continues to seek ways to implement and deliver holistic services that help Iowans reach their greatest potential.

IMS was awarded a 2021 COVID Adaptation Grant from The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines to improve our technology resources. We are thankful to be awarded this grant, and we anticipate the technology updates will make our next live virtual training even better! Our next Introductory Mediation Training begins on April 25, 2022 and our Advanced Skills Mediation Training will begin on May 17, 2022. Click on the hyperlinks to download the brochures for more information and to register. Even though the trainings are virtual, we will be limiting the number of trainees, so register soon before we sell out! Both trainings will be live and held on Zoom. We hope to offer in person or hybrid training options again in the Fall. In addition to virtual trainings, IMS can now provide state-wide mediation services via Zoom. We implemented these services this year and found them to be highly effective for the parties involved. It creates an environment conducive for constructive conflict management while reducing costs and scheduling issues. If you have areas where you would like to explore conflict management, interpersonal skills development, communication improvement, or other areas related to human dynamics consider a virtual platform or in-person services offered by IMS.
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Let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to what awaits IMS in the new year, and we wish you the happiest of holidays and new year!