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About us

The Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP) is created by The Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI).

The DHP supports schools by providing resources and workshops in peace education. We provide transformative tools for the whole school culture. Our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) model is focused on helping all members of the school community by learning communication tools centered on restorative practices, such as conflict resolution education, negotiation, peer mediation, social-emotional learning, and dialogue. Our approach helps schools focus on creating healthy learning environments by providing additional support for students, teachers and parents to resolve conflict peacefully and constructively. For each of our educational partnerships, WPDI offers a wide array of services, including peer mediation training, in-class lessons for students, professional development training for educators, parenting workshops, conflict coaching, PBIS support for administrators, and advocacy events.

Our PBIS model embraces the Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework to provide general and targeted approaches to conflict resolution education, restorative practices, and social-emotional learning (SEL) for all members of the school community. This approach is grounded in skills, processes, and tools that help create positive learning environments through restorative practices. In Tier 1, we deliver educational workshops to students, parents, and educators in basic conflict resolution skills. In Tier 2, we train small cohorts of students in peer mediation so that they can help disputants resolve their conflicts peacefully. Tier 3 works with core groups of educators and students to support the school’s social-emotional needs by providing an expert group of peer-to-peer mentors with higher levels of skill development in SEL.

Our Services

School Partnerships – WPDI is pleased to partner with schools in the United States to offer customized Conflict Resolution Education (CRE). Our partnerships include customized training for students, educators, and parents in various topics, including but not limited to communication and negotiation, social-emotional learning, peer mediation, and restorative justice. We also offer curriculum integration services for educators to help tailor our curriculum to their academic lessons in science, math, English Language Arts, social studies, arts, and physical education. Our consultation on content area standard is based on our evidence-based curriculum that is focused on CRE integration, and we offer demonstration lessons and co-teaching opportunities based on teacher request. Our local school partnerships also offer ongoing support for implementing school-wide PBIS and restorative practices.

Conflict Coaching – The Domestic Harmonizer Program’s experts are pleased to offer virtual conflict coaching to educators across the United States. Interested teachers and administrators in schools around the nation can contact our team to receive support in constructive ways in navigating and negotiating school-based conflicts. We specialize in providing conflict coaching in interpersonal challenges between staff and students. Our virtual sessions are confidential and free of charge to educators. This involves a dive into understanding perspectives, emotions, and needs of self and others.

PBIS Support – Schools across the United States can receive support from the Domestic Harmonizer Program’s expert staff in establishing their school’s PBIS model using our program’s curriculum and resources. Our team helps guide administrators and teachers on how to implement strategies and practices to have a whole-school impact. Interested schools can contact our team to set up virtual meetings to engage in ways to implement our restorative educational resources and systems.

Meet the DHP team

Monya Kian

Program Director

Karen DeVoogd

Conflict Resolution Educator Trainer

Briana Hinga

Independent Evaluator

Lyd Halcott

Program Coordinator

Monya Kian is the Domestic Program Director at the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI). She joined WPDI in 2012 and supported the early international initiatives of the organization. Since 2015, Monya has focused on creating and leading the Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP). Her role includes managing all of the day-to-day aspects of the DHP, creating educational content, guiding new programmatic initiatives, and delivering trainings to schools. Prior to joining WPDI, Monya worked with other social justice and conflict resolution organizations, where she conducted mediation trainings, facilitated police-community dialogues, and designed educational content. She possesses a Masters in Peace and Justice Studies from the University of San Diego, an international certificate from The Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), and a Bachelors in International Studies with Distinction from the University of Washington.

Karen DeVoogd is the Conflict Resolution Educator Trainer for the Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP) at the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI). Since 2016, Karen has worked on the DHP to create the program’s curriculum, deliver in-person and virtual training to schools, and support teachers and students in applying skills of conflict resolution and restorative practices. Prior to joining WPDI, Karen held a series of leadership roles in the field of conflict resolution education in California and nationally. Karen was previously a faculty instructor with the system-wide California State University multiple subject teacher credential program, CalStateTEACH through the CSU Chancellor’s Office and CSU Fresno. In this role, she supported new teachers in meeting California Credentialing Program Standards for Multiple Subject preparation. She possesses a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelors in Elementary Education, both from Michigan State University.

Briana Hinga is the Independent Evaluator for the Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP). Since 2019, Briana has worked with the DHP team to collect impartial data and research to assess the impact of the program at partner schools. Her role is essential to guiding the continuous evolution of the DHP and in ensuring that the program’s impact is routinely measured. In addition to her role at WPDI, Briana is also an Associate Professor of Clinical Education at the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. Briana’s work intersects multiple disciplines, practice, and theories of knowledge as her work moves between scholarship, teaching, learning, and community organizing. She possesses a PhD and Masters in Education from the University of California, Irvine, and a Bachelors in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego.

Lyd Halcott is the Program Coordinator for the Domestic Harmonizer Program. As a recent graduate with a master’s degree in Social Innovation from the University of San Diego School of Peace and Justice, Lyd has a profound dedication to fostering positive change within communities. With an academic and professional background enriched by sociology and restorative justice, Lyd’s journey has been one of impact, leadership, and commitment to social justice. With 5 years of nonprofit experience in various roles working with underserved communities, Lyd brings a creative outlook and a strong motivation to expand the program’s reach and impact.

Meet the DHP team

Monya Kian

Program Director

Monya Kian is the Domestic Program Director at the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI). She joined WPDI in 2012 and supported the early international initiatives of the organization. Since 2015, Monya has focused on creating and leading the Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP). Her role includes managing all of the day-to-day aspects of the DHP, creating educational content, guiding new programmatic initiatives, and delivering trainings to schools. Prior to joining WPDI, Monya worked with other social justice and conflict resolution organizations, where she conducted mediation trainings, facilitated police-community dialogues, and designed educational content. She possesses a Masters in Peace and Justice Studies from the University of San Diego, an international certificate from The Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), and a Bachelors in International Studies with Distinction from the University of Washington.

Karen DeVoogd

Conflict Resolution Educator Trainer

Karen DeVoogd is the Conflict Resolution Educator Trainer for the Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP) at the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI). Since 2016, Karen has worked on the DHP to create the program’s curriculum, deliver in-person and virtual training to schools, and support teachers and students in applying skills of conflict resolution and restorative practices. Prior to joining WPDI, Karen held a series of leadership roles in the field of conflict resolution education in California and nationally. Karen was previously a faculty instructor with the system-wide California State University multiple subject teacher credential program, CalStateTEACH through the CSU Chancellor’s Office and CSU Fresno. In this role, she supported new teachers in meeting California Credentialing Program Standards for Multiple Subject preparation. She possesses a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelors in Elementary Education, both from Michigan State University.

Briana Hinga

Independent Evaluator

Briana Hinga is the Independent Evaluator for the Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP). Since 2019, Briana has worked with the DHP team to collect impartial data and research to assess the impact of the program at partner schools. Her role is essential to guiding the continuous evolution of the DHP and in ensuring that the program’s impact is routinely measured. In addition to her role at WPDI, Briana is also an Associate Professor of Clinical Education at the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. Briana’s work intersects multiple disciplines, practice, and theories of knowledge as her work moves between scholarship, teaching, learning, and community organizing. She possesses a PhD and Masters in Education from the University of California, Irvine, and a Bachelors in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego.

Lyd Halcott

Program Coordinator

Lyd Halcott is the Program Coordinator for the Domestic Harmonizer Program. As a recent graduate with a master’s degree in Social Innovation from the University of San Diego School of Peace and Justice, Lyd has a profound dedication to fostering positive change within communities. With an academic and professional background enriched by sociology and restorative justice, Lyd’s journey has been one of impact, leadership, and commitment to social justice. With 5 years of nonprofit experience in various roles working with underserved communities, Lyd brings a creative outlook and a strong motivation to expand the program’s reach and impact.

our partners

The DHP is grateful to its sponsors for their financial support and shared vision. Our ongoing partnerships with Verizon and Bank of Montreal allow us to expand the reach and impact of the DHP, and to achieve the greater goal of bringing understanding of positive conflict resolution to school communities.

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more about the Domestic Harmonizer Program and would like to inquire about potential partnership opportunities for your school or district, please do not hesitate to contact us.

About WPDI

The Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) was founded in 2012 by artist, social activist, SDGs Advocate, and UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation, Forest Whitaker. WPDI aims to promote the values of peace, reconciliation, and social development within communities impacted by conflict and violence.

In areas of the world affected by conflict and armed violence, we work closely with youths to empower them to become conflict mediators and community builders who are our local partners in the pursuit of peace and sustainable development. Our work is guided by the philosophy that people are better able to create transformative change when they work together.