NCJ Number
109484
Journal
Dispute Resolution Forum Dated: (December 1987) Pages: 3,13-15
Date Published
1987
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of the uses and development of five statewide offices of mediation established by the National Institute for Dispute Resolution (NIDR).
Abstract
In 1984, the NIDR provided grants for five experimental state offices of mediation in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Hawaii, and Wisconsin. The objectives of the NIDR were to: (1) demonstrate that dispute resolution could help State governments deal more effectively with public disputes; (2) seed an array of efforts to institutionalize dispute resolution along lines that made sense in each State; and (3) help create a market for services of private dispute resolution practitioners. Each State office began with a different administrative structure, and each focused on different projects and activities. New Jersey focused on siting solid waste disposal facilities and ambulance services, Massachusetts on a jail construction project and public housing, Minnesota on herbicide spraying and sewage treatment, Hawaii on civil litigation and the water code, and Wisconsin on fish and game regulations. As a result of the program, these States have succeeded in winning long-term State funding commitments, dealt with a high volume of case work, and begun to build public awareness and acceptance of dispute resolution. Problems have included the resistance from administrative agencies concerned about their authority, identifying acceptable neutrals to serve as mediators, allocating funds, and determining payment of services.