Services
Healthy relationships form the backbone of our businesses and communities
Resolution Washington’s DRCs are focused on helping individuals and organizations resolve conflicts from a position of strength and authenticity. Together, we’ve developed services and tools to help people become more confident and effective at communicating and managing conflicts.
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What is Dispute Resolution and Mediation?
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Dispute resolution helps families, businesses, and communities manage conflict through good communication and listening. With the help of a trained, impartial mediator, people involved in a dispute meet to identify the problems and make solutions that meet each person’s unique needs.
Mediation is confidential and often faster, cheaper, and more effective than litigation. Research shows that mediated agreements are more durable and satisfying for participants than decisions imposed by others. Eighty-nine percent of mediation clients said they’d recommend mediation to others.
Why choose a Resolution Washington DRC?
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We are experienced—we’ve mediated a wide range of conflicts for over 30 years
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We are affordable
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We are local
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We are agile—we can meet your needs quickly
Learn more: videos on mediation and what dispute resolution is
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Services for individuals
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Washington’s Dispute Resolution Centers offer affordable or free services across the state including mediation; community dialogue facilitation; neighbor, business, and housing dispute resolution; school restorative practices; parenting plans and family mediations.
Mediation
Mediators are unbiased, neutral third parties, who guide people in dispute through a structured negotiation process to resolve conflicts. Mediators provide a safe, neutral environment and promote effective communication.
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Training
DRCs offer basic and specialized mediation training programs and practicums. We also offer training on effective communication skills, working with challenging behaviors, and group facilitation, as well as specialized workshops to help increase your effectiveness at conflict management.
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Volunteer opportunities
DRCs provide ongoing opportunities for individuals who want to make a difference in their communities. We rely on volunteers to serve as mediators, conciliators, facilitators, board members, etc. as well as to support the ongoing operations at local Washington DRCs.
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Support for organizations
Many different businesses and organizations—large or small—can benefit from the services provided by Resolution Washington DRCs:
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State agencies, boards and commissions
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Community colleges, colleges and universities
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Local government agencies
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Offices of elected officials
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Non-profit organizations
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Washington State tribal entities
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Small businesses
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Corporations
DRCs offer more than mediation:
Consultation
Your local DRC can provide consultations and assessments where mediators meet with key staff to help determine the most beneficial strategies for your organization. We’ll provide problem-solving ideas and coaching to help you address conflicts on your own, or face-to-face mediations between individuals or teams.
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Facilitation
DRCs help organizations run productive meetings through effective dialogue and clear communication. Our trained, neutral facilitators can help design and facilitate meetings so your organization or business can achieve the results you need. Facilitations include:
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General meeting facilitation for teams and committees
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Consensus facilitation
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Strategic planning
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Retreats
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Project planning
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Community conversations and dialogues
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Public policy matters
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Custom training
DRCs can deliver custom trainings designed to meet your organization’s needs. We can create trainings for conflict resolution, conflict management, team building, understanding styles of conflict, effective communication, and reaching consensus.
“I just wanted you to know that you have just witnessed more communication between us in the last three hours than we have been able to have in the last five years. Thank you.”
-Family mediation client
Mediation and facilitation available for agencies and organizations
Public meeting facilitation, dispute resolution system design, training and impartial dispute resolution for internal and external conflicts are available through dispute resolution centers statewide. Services are available to public and private agencies, state and local government, nonprofit and for profit organizations, and communities.