NCJ Number
91486
Date Published
1982
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This address discusses those areas where the State of Florida is already or is planning to help local citizen dispute settlement (CDS) programs maintain and improve their operations, including mediator training, publicity, and funding.
Abstract
Although there is diversity in the local CDS programs in Florida, all the programs have certain common problems whose resolution can be facilitated by statewide assistance. One of the areas is the provision of orientation and training courses for mediators. The State is currently developing a mediation technique modular that will use such training methods as roleplaying, video tape, and dialogue. Also being developed is a module for mediation in the CDS setting. Other training objectives are to provide program administrators with the techniques necessary to identify community referral resources and make them available for ready use by mediators and also to structure a program whereby new mediators engage in a period of observing mediation sessions conducted by experienced mediators. In the area of publicity for CDS programs, the State is working on a publicity format that will help sustain citizen interest in and awareness of the CDS option for handling personal disputes. The State is further anticipating the provision of guidance for CDS programs installed in the court environment, since many of the programs that have attempted this have been plagued with inadequate planning. The State is also planning to give guidance to localities on the more efficient use of existing resources and the availability of various funding sources. A final concern at the State level is the establishment of uniform evaluation criteria and measurement that will facilitate meaningful evaluation and permit some comparison of success among programs.