Dispute Resolution Center

What is the Dispute Resolution Center?

The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) offers assistance to parties involved in a conflict or disagreement. Created in 1979 by the New York Legislature and primarily funded by the New York State Unified Court System, the DRC can offer no-cost mediation services empowering both parties to work together toward a mutually agreeable solution. 

What does the Dispute Resolution Center do?

The Catholic Charities Dispute Resolution Center provides a private, voluntary and informal process conducted by a neutral third party, or mediator, who helps individuals informally resolve issues on their own terms. It is not a court process. Anyone can access this service. Each case or dispute entails an individualized process because each set of facts is unique.

The services are based around helping people have difficult conversations while affording them the power to make all decisions themselves. Confidentiality creates an environment with the freedom to openly discuss the problem and keep information private. 

While some cases are referred by the courts and other organizations, the Dispute Resolution Center is available to all residents in the seven counties we serve: Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, and Chenango Counties. For more information you may contact one of our staff directly. We provide a variety of skilled mediators and resources to assist families, individuals, and businesses in resolving conflict and improving communication.

What is Mediation?

Mediation empowers both parties to mutually resolve their dispute rather than having it resolved for them. A mediator is not a decision maker but a neutral facilitator who helps people in a dispute communicate, understand each other, and, when possible, reach agreements that satisfy everyone’s needs. The mediator does not take sides nor decide who was right or wrong in the past. Instead, the intention is to allow participants to design creative solutions to the conflict collaboratively. Mediators cannot give legal advice and do not advocate for or against either party. Instead, they ensure that all parties are heard, facilitate conversation, and help people find and create their own solutions. Mediators assist both parties using various tools to foster respect and truthfulness in a safe environment.

Types of Mediation

Parenting Plan Mediation: Reducing the impact on your children is crucial in the mediation process. Parenting plan agreements are created mutually by both parents respecting the schedules and lifestyles of all family members. The mediator is present to facilitate communication and does not participate in the decision-making process.

Divorce Mediation: Divorce Mediation is an alternative to traditional court-based processes. Neutral mediators help identify issues to be resolved such as assets and debts, property, custody and child support. There is an hourly rate for the mediation sessions based on a sliding fee scale. Mediators do not give legal advice or tell you what your legal rights are in the divorce process.

Small Claims: We provide mediation assistance with financial and contract-based disputes. You do not need to file in court to begin the mediation process. For example, mediation is an excellent alternative to court if you are unhappy with work done on your home, the service provided, or not being paid for your time and efforts. Small claims meditation encourages both parties to work together towards a solution to settle the case.

Landlord Tenant: If you have tried communicating with your landlord and have been unable to resolve the issues, enlisting the help of a neutral third-party mediator can be beneficial and effective. A mediator can assist with housing disputes, past due rent, return of the security deposit, or lease modifications. Mediators help the disputing parties collaborate and agree upon a realistic, workable solution to their problem.

Community Mediation: Mediation can be effective in any conflict within the community involving neighbors, coworkers, church members, friends, or family. It is an effective, efficient, and affordable alternative to litigation to help people resolve their differences. In addition, it is an amicable method of encouraging productive communication to dissolve disputes within the community.

Lemon Law Arbitration: Lemon Law Arbitration is a binding and formal process. In the hearing, the arbitrator hears from and reviews documents from the seller, purchaser/owner, and experts. This can be used for new cars, used cars, RVs, motorcycles, wheelchairs, and agricultural equipment. The New York State Consumer Frauds/Lemon Law Website, https://ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds/lemon-law, has more info and application PDFs for each type of vehicle to submit your claim through the Attorney General.

Agricultural Mediation: Agricultural mediation is a tool for farmers, agribusiness, and others in the farming community to collaborate with the help of the mediator to reach mutually agreeable and workable solutions. Our mediators can help with credit or debt issues, border and farming practice disputes, and other issues that impact the family and farm.

A mediator has no decision-making authority and is present to help both parties discuss and explore their issues in a non-confrontational manner. Successful mediation is centered on the cooperation and involvement of all participants.

Special Education Mediation: Special education mediation is a voluntary process that helps resolve disagreements between parents of children with disabilities and schools. A neutral mediator facilitates open communication, helping both parties discuss their concerns and work toward a mutually agreeable solution. Mediation can address issues related to a child's individualized education program (IEP), services, placement, or other educational matters, fostering collaboration without the need for formal legal proceedings.

Special education mediation helps parents of children with disabilities and schools resolve conflicts collaboratively. Sessions are scheduled within two weeks of the request and are free for both parties. A neutral mediator guides open communication, helping clarify interests and identify the root of the conflict. This approach encourages both sides to create their own solutions, making compliance more likely. Mediation is quicker, less costly, and less adversarial than impartial hearings, and the final agreement is legally binding and enforceable in court.

Early Intervention: Early Intervention refers to a system of services and supports designed to help infants and young children, from birth to age 3, with developmental delays or disabilities, as well as their families. These services are intended to address a child’s unique needs as early as possible, enhancing their growth, learning, and overall development during critical early years. Early intervention typically includes a range of therapies, educational strategies, and resources tailored to improve outcomes in areas such as communication, mobility, cognitive skills, and social-emotional well-being. By involving families in the process, early intervention aims to create a supportive environment that fosters a child’s success in everyday activities and future opportunities.

Mediation for Early Intervention is a collaborative, cost-free, and voluntary process designed to resolve disagreements between parents or guardians and early intervention service providers. It offers a neutral setting where a trained mediator facilitates open and constructive conversations, helping all parties express their concerns, clarify misunderstandings, and work toward mutually acceptable solutions.

Mediation is particularly effective in early intervention because it focuses on the shared goal of supporting the child’s developmental needs while fostering positive relationships between families and providers. By promoting respectful dialogue, the process encourages creative problem-solving and empowers participants to reach agreements that prioritize the child’s well-being. 

The flexibility of mediation allows families to address issues such as service plans, eligibility, or delivery methods in a structured yet adaptable environment. Its timely resolution of conflicts ensures continuity of services, minimizing disruptions to the support systems critical for the child’s development.

ACCES-VR Mediation Program: ACCES-VR Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process designed to resolve disagreements between individuals seeking vocational rehabilitation services and ACCESVR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation) staff or providers. Facilitated by an impartial mediator, the process promotes open communication and collaborative problem-solving to address disputes related to service eligibility, plans, or delivery. It is for individuals who are 18 or older.

Mediation aims to foster mutual understanding and create solutions that meet the needs of all parties while supporting the individual’s vocational goals. It is a free service, ensuring accessibility for participants, and focuses on resolving conflicts efficiently to minimize delays in receiving critical services.

Mediation is a confidential process that brings together the consumer and an ACCES-VR representative to share concerns and points of disagreement. An impartial, qualified mediator facilitates the discussion. Each person will have an equal opportunity to express viewpoints and concerns. Possible resolutions, within federal and state regulations, will be explored. In many cases, the mediator is able to help develop a solution that is acceptable to both parties in a way that: Allows all concerns to be addressed, Builds trust and improves communication, Explores creative solutions, Gives everyone a chance to have an equal say in all decisions. Mediation is neutral and voluntary for you and for ACCES-VR.

Affiliations/Partners