The Mediation Center of Dutchess County (April 5, 2014)

The RadioRotary co-hosts interview Jody Miller, Executive Director of the Mediation Center of Dutchess Country, and Registered Nurse Carolynn Frankell, who, along with Lindsey Goldstein, chairs the third annual Anti-Bullying Walkathon. Since 1981 New York State has had a program of Alternative Dispute Resolution, which includes mediation and arbitration, with centers in every county. Mediation is a process that helps people talk about decisions and resolve conflicts. Volunteers do most of the mediation after training. The center handles small claims, landlord-tenant issues, consumer issues, divorces, caregiving problems, and workplace disputes. The Center also works with other agencies on issues such as elder abuse and bullying, a problem in many schools. Its serves can be free but some require fee payments, and mediated agreements are enforceable by the courts.