Program Overview
Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers (LIDRC) provide conflict resolution interventions that help individuals, families, businesses, and the community at large to resolve a wide range of disputes.
Clients Served Last Year:
8,636
Funding Generously Provided by:
NYS Unified Court System, NYS Department of Education, Nassau County Department of Human Services Office of Youth Services, NYS Attorney General’s Office, NYS Dispute Resolution Association, NYS Justice Center for Protection of People with Special Needs, and private donations.
Contact Information:
Nassau
175 Fulton Avenue
Hempstead, New York 11550
(516) 489-7733
Suffolk
320 Carleton Road
Suite 8000,
Central Islip, New York 11722
(631) 265-0490
Program Description
The Problem:
Conflict is unavoidable in life and occurs when individuals or groups do not meet their needs or find satisfaction. While conflict is neither necessarily good nor bad, some situations are more difficult to handle than others and require extra mediation for the best possible outcome.
Our Solution:
Provide peaceful resolution of conflicts to prevent problems from escalating by removing parties from the win-lose court setting and inserting into a win-win collaborative setting.
Our Mission:
The Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers (LIDRC) seek to resolve conflicts in Nassau and Suffolk counties by offering dispute resolution services from trained professionals who guide individuals, families, or entities, in a peaceful, neutral and confidential manner to develop mutually acceptable resolutions to a wide variety of disputes.
How We Do it:
LIDRC provides conflict resolution services in the form of arbitration, conciliation, mediation, surrogate decision making, and training. Disputes handled at our center include:
Family Conflicts: Divorce, Parent/Child, Elder Care, and Succession Planning.
Special Education Issues: Special Education Mediation Nassau and Suffolk, Early Intervention, and Adult Career and Continuing Education Services.
Community Disputes: Neighbor, landlord/tenant, small claims disputes, lemon law arbitration, agricultural disputes, and workplace disputes.
Other services: Peer Mediation Training and Restorative Practice Circles Training, Surrogate Decision Making
Courtney Chicvak, Esq.
Director of ADR Training and Development
Training Institute: Basic Mediation Training, Apprenticeship Training, Advanced Mediation Training, Organizational Workplace Training, Peer Mediation Training, Restorative Circles Training,
Continuing Education Opportunities for Organizations
If you are returning to the office and need some communication and conflict resolution refresher, the Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers have the solution for you. We’re happy to offer two three-hour interactive workshops, “Constructive Communications in the Workplace” and “Finding the Win-Win at Work,” for employees and managers alike. Additionally, we offer customized seminars and training events for organizations. Contact us today at ADRtraining@eac-network.org to set up a workshop for your organization and learn practical ways to resolve conflict on the job.
Constructive Communications in the Workplace
This interactive workshop will examine the science of conflict and offer strategies to improve communication in the workplace and prevent the escalation of conflict. Participants will engage in several activities and exercises to increase their skills, including active listening, reframing, and perspective-taking.
Finding the Win-Win at Work
Are you a collaborative problem solver looking to enhance your skills? During this interactive workshop, participants will review conflict styles and understand how to work together using a collaborative style as a team to find solutions that meet everyone’s needs. Additionally, participants will learn about different processes available to resolve conflict at work. Participants will have the opportunity to practice and build their skills.
Continuing Education Opportunities for Mediators
Basic Mediation Training
Our Basic Mediation Training provides participants with an overview of the skills and knowledge related to the practice of facilitative mediation. The course content incorporates foundational principles of conflict resolution, negotiation, and mediation. After completing the Basic Mediation Training, participants are eligible to apply for Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers’ Mediator Apprenticeship program.
Part 146 Approved, CLE Credits pending
Advanced Training: Core Values of Mediation
Our core values determine our actions in any area of life. What are the pillars of the mediation process, and how do they drive our mediation practice? Relying upon two of the primary ethical codes for mediators, including the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators and the Standards of Conduct for New York State Community Dispute Resolution Center Mediators, this program provides a deep dive into the core values of mediation: confidentiality, self-determination, safety, quality, and neutrality/impartiality. As we advance our knowledge, we continue to return to the basics — therefore, in this ‘back to the basics’ advanced training, participants apply the core values of mediation through exercises, activities, and role-play scenarios to gain confidence no matter what scenario they encounter while serving as a mediator.
Dates to be Announced shortly; CLE credits pending.
Mediation Apprenticeship
Our Mediation Apprenticeship offers individuals who have completed Basic Mediation Training the opportunity to gain practical experience mediating actual cases and receiving feedback for skill development and growth. Please contact us at ADRtraining@eac-network.org for more information about signing up for our apprenticeship program.
Anti-Bias Training
Are you a mediator on a New York State court roster or a mediator at a CDRC? Our two-hour Anti-Bias Training complies with the New York State court’s new regulation requiring mediators to complete a two-hour Anti-Bias Training. Please contact us at ADRtraining@eac-network.org to inquire about enrollment.
Advanced 16-Hour Labor and Employment Mediation Training:
LIDRC’s Advanced Labor and Employment Mediation Training is a comprehensive 16-hour program designed for professionals seeking advanced mediation skills in the complex field of labor and employment. Our expert-led sessions cover legal frameworks, mediation techniques, practical applications, and more. Through interactive exercises, role plays, and discussions, participants will enhance their ability to navigate power dynamics, address unconscious bias, and handle technology and data security concerns in labor and employment mediations. Join us to enhance your professional skills and knowledge about alternative dispute resolution relating to employment and labor matters. Additional information is available by emailing us at ADRTraining@eac-network.org.
Creating Healthy Workplace Boundaries and Beyond
This 90-minute workshop aims to help professionals establish and maintain healthy boundaries in the workplace, fostering a positive and productive environment for everyone. Participants explore the benefits of workplace boundaries, learn effective de-escalation strategies, and refine their abilities to intervene constructively in boundary-related situations. The training emphasizes clear communication techniques and bystander intervention strategies to uphold boundaries collectively, promoting mutual respect, collaboration, and productivity.
We understand that navigating custody and visitation issues can be challenging for co-parents, and we are here to help. Our program, in collaboration with Suffolk County Family Court and funded by the Office of Court Administration, offers a safe and neutral space where parents can work together to address their concerns and find mutually agreeable solutions relating to co-parenting. Our team of expert mediators is dedicated to guiding you through the process, listening to your needs, and helping you explore options that prioritize the best interests of your child(ren). We recognize that every family is unique, and we are committed to providing personalized support that meets your specific needs at no cost to participants. Our court-funded program empowers co-parents with the tools to develop a positive and cooperative co-parenting relationship, focusing on what matters most – the well-being of your child(ren). Please feel free to contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your family.
Email: CVMediation_LIDRC@eac-network.org
Phone: 631-265-0490 ext. 201
How Mediation Can Help You:
*Special thanks to students at Hofstra University for putting together this video!
The Outcomes of LIDRC
Relationships are rebuilt and participants cultivate effective communication skills as they become empowered through creative thinking and innovative solutions.
What People Say About LIDRC
When I was told that I could request a mediation to resolve a dispute with my school district about my son’s eligibility for support services, I was quite intrigued. When the district agreed, we went forward with the mediation. We were a little skeptical about how it was going to play out and a little nervous that it wasn’t going to be completely impartial. We ended up more than thrilled with the process and the quality of the mediation. It was impartial, professional, organized, and structured. The mediator was phenomenal with handling a very difficult, complicated, and sensitive case. She was respectful, fair, impartial, knowledgeable, sensitive, assertive, patient, and firm. We were able to come to a mutual agreement which was followed by both parties. We have started fresh with our district and have a new, more positive relationship which we are thrilled about!!! We are so happy to have had the mediation and to have worked with EAC Network and their skilled mediator. We cannot thank them enough!
I walked into the Dispute Resolution Center nervous. I was greeted warmly by the lady at the front desk. I immediately felt calm. The meeting was on time as scheduled. My former tenant was there as well. My former tenant owed me months of rent and moved out owing me over $10,000. He did not contact me for months and I was unable to contact him. I asked for help from other services, but they stated they could only help the tenant, not the landlord. When I heard of EAC Network, I called and spoke with Nicole and she explained the process of mediation. I did not want to take this dispute to court because I could not afford a lawyer. This mediation was such a blessing to me. Everything was handled in a professional manner. My former tenant is cooperating and paying as we agreed upon in mediation!
LIDRC owes its success not only to the staff who share the goal of peaceful resolution, but to the volunteers who give their time, dedication, and talents in helping the community resolve their disputes. Through their humanitarian spirits, the community is a safer and brighter place!
We did not want to let too much time go by without thanking you for your vital participation in our 18th Annual Safe and Supportive Schools and Communities Conference. The information you shared, the interest and passion you brought to your topic was appreciated and valued by those who heard you speak. The success of that single day is made (or dashed) with the quality of presentations. Although we’ve only briefly scanned our many evaluation forms at this time, we can confidently say that the caliber of workshop presentations this year was top-rated. Many respondents wrote they learned a lot from their specific workshops. Thank you so much for your willingness to participate as a presenter in addition to your participation as a Consortium member. Much appreciated! We look forward to continuing our work together.
On behalf of Bishop Lawrence Provenzano and the entire team at EMLI, I am writing to thank you for the contribution you made by being present during our Family Summit. We valued your time and appreciated your care so much that we want to inform people about the work of EAC Network and the LI Dispute Resolution Center. We are grateful to have a connection with you and will keep in touch if there are other ways to serve and support your good work. Gregg, THANK YOU. We are grateful for your contribution and for all that you brought into the space to have helped make the day a success.
I wish I could help the next guy. For what it’s worth, I am going to recommend using this program to my friends and colleagues if they have any issues. This was a very consumer friendly process, and you were always quick with a response and an answer. You and the arbitrator have my thanks.
Thank you for providing consulting services as well as the necessary training of the John W. Dodd peer mediation team. Immediately after the training was complete a teacher made a referral for two students.
“The two girls were/are best friends and, apparently, have had some sort of disagreement. I don’t know any specific details. All along they have worked so well together and always paired up for special projects, etc… Now the one has asked for her seat to be moved because they are “no longer friends”…Hopefully, it is not a big issue and can be resolved quickly.”
The two students agreed to have mediation the next day during their lunch period. The peer mediation team prepared for the upcoming mediation; however the mediation did not occur because the two students choose to resolve their conflict privately. The peer mediation team feels this is a success because the upcoming peer mediation appointment encouraged the students to discuss their problems.
We look forward to more success stories. The newly trained mediators plan on starting the 2018-2019 school-year off with an advertising blitz to let their peers learn about this valuable option for conflict resolution. Thank you for support.
(View original letter here.)
Life Changing Conflict Resolution Training for Individuals, Organizations, and Communities
The Training Institute at Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers is a leader in ADR education and offers a wide range of class offerings to individuals and organizations. By incorporating theory and practice, participants in our interactive training courses and apprenticeship learn about negotiation, mediation, conflict resolution, communication, and interpersonal skill development to resolve conflicts collaboratively and build harmonious community relationships. As a trainer, it is inspiring to bring community members together to collaborate and see the transformative impact of conflict resolution learning and education on training participants’ personal and professional growth!
Resolving Conflict without Judicial Intervention
Being a volunteer mediator with LIDRC has been and remains an extremely rewarding experience. Despite being a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years, I wasn’t introduced to community mediation programs until a few years ago; I quickly became aware of the essential value they bring to their local communities. Tremendous gratification can be found helping people resolve their conflict(s) through productive communication, avoiding the need for legal and/or judicial intervention.
Helping people through difficult conversations
My biggest satisfaction as a volunteer mediator at Hempstead Small Claims Court is being able to aid parties in having a difficult conversation about their differences in a human-to-human informal way, rather than through the legal procedures required by the Court. Talks are messy, emotional and sometimes loud. Sometimes they get resolved and sometimes not, but everyone gets a chance to speak their mind and be heard
A possible gentler path to understanding and resolving conflict
Volunteering for LIDRC as a mediator has been a unique and personally satisfying experience.
I appreciate that the LIDRC organization strives to provide mediators with ongoing training and apprenticeships, which elevate the professional level of the service that their mediators provide.
LIDRC’s mediation program affords mediators, like myself, the opportunity to facilitate a process that empowers clients to participate in understanding their dispute and to work towards achieving a resolution where possible. The mediation process that LIDRC offers benefits their clients because it allows their voice to be heard, and it allows them the possibility of a self-determinative resolution to their dispute, which is not always afforded the client in conventional legal settings,
LIDRC’s mediation program offers their clients a possible gentler path to understanding and resolving their conflict. It offers mediators, like myself, the satisfaction of helping people to deal with their conflict in a neutral, understanding and professional setting.
