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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

  • We are affordable

  • We are local

  • 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

  • Community colleges, colleges and universities

  • Local government agencies

  • Offices of elected officials

  • Non-profit organizations

  • Washington State tribal entities

  • Small businesses

  • 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

  • Consensus facilitation

  • Strategic planning

  • Retreats

  • Project planning

  • Community conversations and dialogues

  • 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.

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Language Assistance
Language assistance services and interpreters are available to you free of charge. Call your local Dispute Resolution Center.

Why DRC mediation?

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DRCs reduce the burdens of the courts, saving taxpayers money, and increasing access to justice for traditionally underserved populations. In 2023 DRCs statewide mediated and facilitated 15,796 cases, 71% of which reached agreements. 86% of clients reported mediation improved their situation. DRCs trained 8,451 community members in 2023.

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Annually DRCs utilize over $1.3 million worth of volunteer hours and directly serve over 144,000 people, their families and others whose lives are positively affected by mediation and other services and reach out to Washington residents statewide.

© Resolution Washington | The member association for Dispute Resolution Centers (DRCs) in Washington State

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