About Us & FAQs
Welcome to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Bureau
Encouraging Communication Through Mutual Respect
The Alternative Dispute Resolution Office promotes early, “in-house” dispute resolution and positive collaboration among state employees, supervisors, managers and agencies through the development and support of effective and efficient programs and policies. The Office coordinates a range of services, including: a network of skilled mediators to respond to requests for direct assistance; centralized collection of information and resources; consultation on program design; outreach presentations and public education initiatives; skills training; and assistance to other state dispute prevention and resolution efforts.
Mission:
Created by statute in 2007, the state Office of Alternative Dispute Prevention and Resolution promotes the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) by and within state governmental agencies as an efficient way to save money and conserve resources.
Services
Mediation Services
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process in which neutral third party mediators help individuals communicate more productively to prevent or resolve problems altogether. Our office coordinates a network of skilled and experienced mediators to respond to requests for direct assistance, as well as forms and guidelines for mediation participants.
How do I request mediation? Our office is committed to making mediation available to state employees and agencies who want to use it in a voluntary and confidential manner to prevent problems and resolve disputes as early as possible. Most state agencies have a designated ADR Coordinator who can assist you with your request for mediation. If you do not know who your agency’s ADR Coordinator is, or if your agency does not have one, contact the ADR Office for assistance. Please click here to read answers to some frequently asked questions about mediation. Click here to view our ADR Program Brochure.
Information Requests
Our office maintains a centralized collection of ADR resources, including sample policies and forms, and reference information.
Presentations & Training
Our office conducts outreach and public education presentations on how to access services, as well as training on a number of ADR topics. Click here to read more about training.
Other
Our office is available to consult on ADR program design and policy development, and can assist and support other state dispute resolution efforts.