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The
primary mission of the Commission is to encourage, promote, and
develop the voluntary use of alternative dispute resolution
processes to resolve disputes, cases and controversies of all kinds.
The Commission works with organizations and
individuals to increase knowledge and use of mediation and other
forms of alternative dispute resolution and to improve the quality
of the ADR services being provided to the citizens of Arkansas. Some
of the ways the Commission performs these services include:
Mediator Certification
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Mediators eligible to mediate cases from the Arkansas Circuit courts
must be certified by the Commission. The Commission has established
standards for mediator certification, professional conduct, and
discipline with which applicants must comply in order to be included
on the Roster of Certified Mediators. The Roster is provided to
every circuit court judge in the state, is posted to our website,
and made available to anyone who contacts our office seeking a
mediator. Certified mediators must complete six hours of continuing
mediation education (CME) each year in order to renew their
certification.
Training and Education
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The Commission offers basic mediation training as well as advanced
and specialized training. At least twice a year, the Commission
offers continuing mediation education courses for certified
mediators.
Additionally, Commission members or staff
regularly make educational presentations to organizations on what
ADR is and how to effectively utilize it.
Technical Assistance
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The Commission provides technical assistance in designing ADR
programs. The Commission has helped design, fund, or provide training
for several pilot projects dealing with small claims mediation,
family mediation, and workplace mediation.
Access and Visitation Family Mediation Program
- The Commission is the oversight body for
this statewide mediation program. The Access and Visitation Program
provides mediation to divorced, divorcing or never married Arkansas
residents who are encountering difficulty in the following areas:
child access, visitation, custody and/or child support. Cost to
participants is based on a sliding scale.
Peer Mediation - The
Commission, with a grant from the Arkansas Bar Foundation, has
compiled a Conflict Resolution/Peer Mediation Curriculum which is
available to every school district in Arkansas at no cost.
ADR Grants - The
Commission annually awards grants to help fund programs which
promote alternative dispute resolution in Arkansas. Grant
applications are available in March of each year.
Mediator Locator Services
- The Commission at this time does not make specific
referrals or recommendations regarding mediation providers. However,
the Commission does maintain a Roster of Certified Mediators, as
well as a profile of each mediator on the Roster. The Roster and
Profiles are available to the general public, judges, attorneys, and
others for guidance in the selection of a mediator.
What Can the Commission Do For You?
The Commission is a resource for Arkansans
interested in learning more about dispute resolution as well as how
to implement programs in their courts, communities, state and local
government agencies, and schools. The Commission can provide:
Information about education and training
programs
Technical assistance and reference
materials for starting court, community, governmental, or school
dispute resolution programs.
Speakers and presentations concerning
dispute resolution
Grants
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